0001193125-21-344462.txt : 20211201 0001193125-21-344462.hdr.sgml : 20211201 20211201080254 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-21-344462 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-12G PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 FILED AS OF DATE: 20211201 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001889668 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-12G SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-56371 FILM NUMBER: 211461404 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 399 PARK AVENUE STREET 2: 38TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10022 BUSINESS PHONE: (212) 419-3000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 399 PARK AVENUE STREET 2: 38TH FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10022 10-12G 1 d250734d1012g.htm 10-12G 10-12G
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1, 2021

File No. 000-

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10

 

 

GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

Maryland   87-2993019

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

399 Park Avenue

38th Floor

New York, New York

  10022
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(212) 419 3000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

with copies to:

Cynthia M. Krus, Esq.

Kristin H. Burns, Esq.

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP

700 Sixth Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

(202) 383-0100

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

None

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

(Title of class)

 

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


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EXPLANATORY NOTE

     1  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     2  

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

     4  

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

     41  

ITEM 2. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     84  

ITEM 3. PROPERTIES

     87  

ITEM 4.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     88  

ITEM 5. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     89  

ITEM 6. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     101  

ITEM 7.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

     102  

ITEM 8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     106  

ITEM  9. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

     107  

ITEM 10. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

     109  

ITEM 11. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

     110  

ITEM 12. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     118  

ITEM 13. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     119  

ITEM 14.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     120  

ITEM 15. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

     121  


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EXPLANATORY NOTE

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II is filing this registration statement on Form 10 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), on a voluntary basis in order to permit it to file an election to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and to provide current public information to the investment community and to comply with applicable requirements in the event of the future quotation or listing of its securities on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange Listing”) or the future quotation or listing of its securities on any other public trading market.

In this Registration Statement, except where the context suggests otherwise:

 

   

the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” and “Company,” refer to Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II; and

 

   

the terms “Adviser,” “Investment Adviser,” and “Administrator” refer to Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC, our investment adviser and administrator.

This Registration Statement registers the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share under the 1934 Act; however:

 

   

the Company’s shares may not be sold without the written consent of the Adviser;

 

   

the shares are not currently listed on an exchange, and it is uncertain whether they will be listed or whether a secondary market will develop;

 

   

repurchases of shares by the Company, if any, are expected to be limited; and

 

   

an investment in the Company may not be suitable for investors who may need the money they invest in a specified time frame.

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) and we intend to take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”).

Once this Registration Statement has been deemed effective, we will be subject to the requirements of Section 13(a) of the 1934 Act, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, which will require us, among other things, to file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, and we will be required to comply with all other obligations of the 1934 Act applicable to issuers filing registration statements pursuant to Section 12(g) of the 1934 Act.

We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and we are subject to the 1940 Act requirements applicable to BDCs.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Registration Statement contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II (the “Company,” “we” or “our”), our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs and opinions, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” “outlook,” “potential,” “predicts” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

 

   

an economic downturn could impair our portfolio companies’ ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies;

 

   

an economic downturn could disproportionately impact the companies that we intend to target for investment, potentially causing us to experience a decrease in investment opportunities and diminished demand for capital from these companies;

 

   

an economic downturn could also impact availability and pricing of our financing;

 

   

a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our lending and investment activities;

 

   

the impact of the novel strain of coronavirus known as “COVID-19” and related changes in base interest rates and significant market volatility on our business, our portfolio companies, our industry and the global economy;

 

   

interest rate volatility, including the decommissioning of LIBOR, could adversely affect our results, particularly if we elect to use leverage as part of our investment strategy;

 

   

currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in foreign companies, particularly to the extent that we receive payments denominated in foreign currency rather than U.S. dollars;

 

   

our future operating results;

 

   

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies including our and their ability to achieve our respective objectives as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

the impact of interest and inflation rates on our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

 

   

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

   

the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

   

competition with other entities and our affiliates for investment opportunities;

 

   

the speculative and illiquid nature of our investments;

 

   

the use of borrowed money to finance a portion of our investments as well as any expectations regarding potential use of leverage;

 

   

the adequacy of our financing sources and working capital;

 

   

the loss of key personnel;

 

   

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies;

 

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the ability of the Adviser to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments;

 

   

the ability of the Adviser to attract and retain highly talented professionals;

 

   

our ability to qualify and maintain our tax treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and as a BDC;

 

   

the effect of legal, tax and regulatory changes, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act signed into law in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed into law in March 2021; and

 

   

other risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Registration Statement.

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this Registration Statement should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Registration Statement. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this Registration Statement. Moreover, we assume no duty and do not undertake to update the forward-looking statements. Because we are an investment company, the forward-looking statements and projections contained in this Registration Statement are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 21E of the 1934 Act.

 

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS

(a) General Development of Business

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a Maryland corporation formed on October 5, 2021. We intend to focus primarily on originating and making debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. Although we may invest in companies domiciled outside of the United States, we generally do not intend to invest in companies that have principal places of business in emerging markets. We intend to originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including publicly-traded debt instruments, common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. Our investment objective is to maximize total return by generating current income from our debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-linked investments, which we may hold directly or through special purpose vehicles.

We intend to invest in a broad range of established and high growth technology companies that capitalize on the large and growing demand for technology products and services. These companies use technology extensively to improve business processes, applications and opportunities or seek to grow through technological developments and innovations. These companies operate in technology-related industries or sectors which include, but are not limited to, application software, systems software, healthcare information technology, technology services and infrastructure, financial technology and internet and digital media. Within each industry or sector, we intend to invest in companies that develop or offer goods and services to businesses and consumers which utilize scientific knowledge, including techniques, skills, methods, devices and processes, to solve problems. We refer to all of these companies as “technology-related” companies and intend, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of our total assets in such businesses.

We expect that generally our portfolio composition will be majority debt or income producing securities, which may include “covenant-lite” loans (as defined below), with a lesser allocation to equity-related opportunities. To a lesser extent, we may make investments in syndicated loan opportunities, including publicly traded debt instruments, for cash management purposes. In addition, our portfolio composition may fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and interest rates.

We intend to classify our debt investments as “traditional financing” or “growth capital” based on a number of factors. Traditional financing typically means a senior secured loan provided to a portfolio company that is owned by a private-equity firm, has a mature business model, and is underwritten primarily on the basis of a multiple of EBITDA, cash flow, or recurring revenue. Growth capital typically means an investment in an established, but rapidly growing business that is owned by, or received an equity investment from, one or more growth equity or venture capital firms, and is underwritten on the basis of something other than a multiple of EBITDA (for example, a multiple of recurring revenue).

We expect to conduct private offerings (the “Private Offering”) of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”) to investors in reliance on exemptions from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. At the closing of any Private Offering, each investor will make a minimum capital commitment (a “Capital Commitment”) to purchase shares of our common stock pursuant to a subscription agreement entered into with us. The initial closing (the “Initial Closing”) of the Private Offering will occur as soon as practicable. Thereafter, investors will be required to fund drawdowns to purchase shares of our Common Stock up to the amount of their respective Capital Commitments on an as-needed basis each time we deliver a notice to the investors. We anticipate commencing our loan origination and investment activities as soon as practicable following the initial drawdown from investors in the Private Offering (the “Initial Drawdown”). From time to time during the Commitment Period (as defined herein), the Adviser may, in its sole discretion, permit one or more additional closings (“Subsequent Closings”) as additional Capital Commitments are obtained (the conclusion of all Subsequent Closings, if any, the “Final Closing” and the Initial Closing, each Subsequent Closing and the Final Closing, each a “Closing”). See “Item 1(c). Description of Business — The Private Offering.”

 

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Immediately after filing this Registration Statement, we intend to file with the SEC an election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we will be required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company” and “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.

(b) Financial Information about Industry Segments

Our operations comprise only a single reportable segment.

(c) Description of Business

The Company — Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II

We are a Maryland corporation formed on October 5, 2021. We intend to focus primarily on originating and making debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. Although we may invest in companies domiciled outside of the United States, we generally do not intend to invest in companies that have principal places of business in emerging markets. We intend to originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including publicly-traded debt instruments, common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. Our investment objective is to maximize total return by generating current income from our debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from our equity and equity-linked investments, which we may hold directly or through special purpose vehicles.

We intend to invest in a broad range of established and high growth technology companies that capitalize on the large and growing demand for technology products and services. These companies use technology extensively to improve business processes, applications and opportunities or seek to grow through technological developments and innovations. These companies operate in technology-related industries or sectors which include, but are not limited to:

 

   

application software, including enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, human capital management and industry vertical applications;

 

   

systems software, including business intelligence, IT operations management and development tools;

 

   

healthcare information technology, including electronic medical records, revenue cycle management and clinical analytics;

 

   

technology services and infrastructure, including IT consulting, managed services, tech-enabled services, information services and technology infrastructure;

 

   

financial technology, including financial processing and networks, banking software, insurance and asset management and trading; and

 

   

internet and digital media, including, digital media, internet software and services, e-commerce and marketplaces.

Within each industry or sector, we intend to invest in companies that develop or offer goods and services to businesses and consumers which utilize scientific knowledge, including techniques, skills, methods, devices and processes, to solve problems. We refer to all of these companies as “technology-related” companies and intend, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of its total assets in such businesses.

We are advised by Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC (the “Adviser”) pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) we entered into with the Adviser. The Adviser is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), an indirect subsidiary of Blue Owl Capital, Inc. (“Blue Owl”) (NYSE: OWL) and part of Owl Rock, a division of Blue Owl focused on direct lending. Subject to the overall supervision of the board of directors (the “Board of Directors”), the Adviser manages our day-to-day operations and provides investment advisory and management services to us. See “ — The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC.”

 

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We also have entered into an administration agreement with the Adviser (the “Administration Agreement”). Under the Administration Agreement, we agreed to reimburse the Adviser for our allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our independent directors) of overhead and other expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. See “— The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC.”

To achieve our investment objective, we intend to leverage Blue Owl’s extensive network of relationships with other sophisticated institutions to source, evaluate and, as appropriate, partner with on transactions. There are no assurances that we will achieve our investment objective.

We expect to leverage Blue Owl’s relationships and existing origination capabilities to focus our investments in companies with an enterprise value of at least $50 million and that are backed by venture capital firms or private equity firms that are active investors in and have an expertise in technology companies and technology-related industries. We expect that our target investments typically will range in size between $20 million and $500 million. Our expected portfolio composition will be majority debt or income producing securities, with a lesser allocation to equity related opportunities. We anticipate that generally any equity related securities we hold will be minority positions. We expect that our investment size will vary with the size of our capital base and we anticipate that our average investment size will be 1-2% of our entire portfolio with no investment size greater than 5%.

We expect that generally our portfolio composition will be majority debt or income producing securities, which may include “covenant-lite” loans (as defined below), with a lesser allocation to equity-related opportunities. To a lesser extent, we may make investments in syndicated loan opportunities, including publicly traded debt instruments, for cash management purposes. In addition, our portfolio composition may fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and interest rates.

We intend to classify our debt investments as “traditional financing” or “growth capital” based on a number of factors. Traditional financing typically means a senior secured loan provided to a portfolio company that is owned by a private-equity firm, has a mature business model, and is underwritten primarily on the basis of a multiple of EBITDA, cash flow, or recurring revenue. Growth capital typically means an investment in an established, but rapidly growing business that is owned by, or received an equity investment from, one or more growth equity or venture capital firms, and is underwritten on the basis of something other than a multiple of EBITDA (for example, a multiple of recurring revenue).

We are a newly organized, externally managed closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a BDC and a RIC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. As a BDC, at least 70% of our assets must be assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, as described herein.

We generally intend to make quarterly distributions and to distribute, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of our available earnings, on an annual basis, as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

With certain limited exceptions, BDCs are only allowed to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such borrowing. However, the Adviser as our sole initial Shareholder, has approved a proposal that allows us to reduce our asset coverage ratio to 150%. This means that we may borrow up to $2 for every $1 of investor equity. Our target leverage ratio is 0.75–1.25x debt to equity. For additional information about the asset coverage requirements, see “— Regulation as a Business Development Company—Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio.”

We may borrow money when the terms and conditions available are favorable to do so and are aligned with our investment strategy and portfolio composition. The use of borrowed funds or the proceeds from issuing our preferred stock to make investments would have its own specific benefits and risks, and all of the costs of borrowing funds or issuing preferred stock would be borne by holders of our common stock.

 

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We intend to elect to be treated for tax purposes as a RIC under the Code. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and assets diversification requirements. Pursuant to these elections, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level taxes on any income we distribute to holders of our Common Stock (“Shareholders”).

In addition, we intend to adopt a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies. Generally, this policy may only be changed with 60 days’ prior notice to our Shareholders; however, prior to a Liquidity Event (as defined below) and during the Lock-up Period (as defined below), we will not change this policy unless Shareholders representing at least a majority of votes cast when quorum is met, approve a proposal to do so.

“Liquidity Event” means (i) a listing of the Company’s common stock on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange Listing”); (ii) a transaction, including a merger, in which the Company’s shareholders receive cash or shares of an entity, including an entity that is affiliated with the Company, and such shares are listed on a national securities exchange; or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

The Company cannot assure prospective investors when it will undertake a Liquidity Event or that it will undertake a Liquidity Event. If the Company does undertake a Liquidity Event, the Company cannot assure prospective investors of the share price at which such Liquidity Event would be consummated.

Following an Exchange Listing, Shareholders may be restricted from selling or disposing of their shares of Common Stock by applicable securities laws or contractually by a lock-up agreement with the underwriters of any public offering of the Common Stock conducted in connection with an Exchange Listing or otherwise. In addition, during the Lock-Up Period (as defined below), Shareholders will be restricted from: (1) offering, pledging, selling, contracting to sell, selling any option or contract to purchase, purchasing any option or contract to sell, granting any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transferring or disposing of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of Common Stock, or publicly disclosing the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, (2) entering into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of Common Stock or any such other securities (regardless of whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), or (3) if applicable, making any demand for or exercising any right with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. The Lock-Up Period is (i) 365 days after the date of an Exchange Listing for all shares of Common Stock held by certain individuals and entities affiliated with the Adviser, and (ii) 180 days after the date of an Exchange Listing for all shares of Common Stock held by a Shareholder (other than certain individuals and entities affiliated with the Adviser), 270 days after the date of an Exchange Listing for two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock held by a Shareholder (other than certain individuals and entities affiliated with the Adviser) and 365 days after the date of an Exchange Listing for one- third of the shares of Common Stock held by a Shareholder (other than certain individuals and entities affiliated with the Adviser). The lock-up will apply to all shares of Common Stock acquired prior to an Exchange Listing but will not apply to any shares acquired in open market transactions or acquired pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan after the date of an Exchange Listing.

The Adviser and Administrator – Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser oversees the management of our activities and is responsible for managing our business and activities, including sourcing investment opportunities, conducting research, performing diligence on potential investments, structuring our investments, and monitoring our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis through a team of investment professionals. The Adviser or its affiliates may engage in certain organizational activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Investment Advisory Agreement.” The Adviser also serves as our administrator pursuant to the Administration Agreement. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Administration Agreement.”

The Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company that has registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of Blue Owl and part of Owl Rock, a division of Blue Owl focused on direct lending. Blue Owl is a publicly traded alternative asset management firm that offers differentiated capital solutions through Owl Rock, its direct lending business, and Dyal, its GP Capital Solutions business, which focuses on providing capital solutions to alternative investment managers. Blue Owl was formed through the merger of Owl Rock Capital Group, LLC and Dyal.

 

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Blue Owl consists of two divisions: Owl Rock, which focuses on direct lending and Dyal, which focuses on providing capital to institutional alternative asset managers. Owl Rock is comprised of the Adviser, Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC (“ORCA”), Owl Rock Diversified Advisors LLC (“ORDA”), Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC (“ORTA”) and Owl Rock Private Fund Advisors LLC (“ORPFA” and together with the Adviser, ORCA, ORDA and ORTA, the “Owl Rock Advisers”) and is led by its three co-founders, Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, and Craig W. Packer. The Adviser’s investment team is also led by Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, and Craig W. Packer, and is supported by certain members of the Adviser’s senior executive team and the investment committee. The Adviser’s investment committee (the “Investment Committee”) is comprised of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer, Alexis Maged, Erik Bissonnette, Pravin Vazirani and Jon ten Oever. We will consider the members of the Adviser’s Investment Committee to be our portfolio managers. All investment decisions require the approval of a majority of the Investment Committee. Subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Directors, the Adviser manages our day-to-day operations, and provides investment advisory and management services to us.

As of September 30, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisers managed $34.6 billion in AUM. The Owl Rock Advisers focus on direct lending to middle market companies primarily in the United States under the following four investment strategies:

 

Strategy

  

Funds

  

Assets Under Management

Diversified Lending. The Owl Rock Advisers primarily originate and make loans to, and make debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle-market companies. The Owl Rock Advisers invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans and, to a lesser extent, equity and equity-related securities including warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The investment objective of the funds with this investment strategy is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns.    The diversified lending strategy is currently managed through four BDCs and a separately managed account: Owl Rock Capital Corporation (“ORCC”), Owl Rock Capital Corporation II (“ORCC II”), Owl Rock Capital Corporation III (“ORCC III”) and Owl Rock Core Income Corp. (“ORCIC”) and the Diversified Lending Managed Account.    As of September 30, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisers have $22.2 billion of assets under management across these products.
Technology Lending. The Owl Rock Advisers are focused primarily on originating and making debt and equity investments in technology-related companies based primarily in the United States. The Owl Rock Advisers originate and invest in senior secured or unsecured loans, subordinated loans or mezzanine loans, and equity-related securities including common equity, warrants, preferred stock and similar forms of senior equity, which may or may not    The technology lending strategy is managed through Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. (“ORTF”), Owl Rock Technology Income Corp. (“ORTIC”) and the Company (together, with ORCC, ORCC II, ORCC III, ORCIC, ORTF, and ORTIC, the “Owl Rock BDCs”.    As of September 30, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisers have $6.7 billion of assets under management across these products.

 

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Strategy

  

Funds

  

Assets Under Management

be convertible into a portfolio company’s common equity. The investment objective of the funds with this investment strategy is to maximize total return by generating current income from debt investments and other income producing securities, and capital appreciation from our equity-related investments.      
First Lien Lending. The Owl Rock Advisers seek to realize significant current income with an emphasis on preservation of capital primarily through originating primary transactions in and, to a lesser extent, secondary transactions of first lien senior secured loans in or related to middle market businesses based primarily in the United States.    The first lien lending strategy is managed through a private fund and separately managed accounts (the “First Lien Funds”).    As of September 30, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisers have $3.7 billion of assets under management across these products.
Opportunistic Lending. The Owl Rock Advisers intend to make opportunistic investments in U.S. middle-market companies by providing a variety of approaches to financing, including but not limited to originating and/or investing in secured debt, unsecured debt, mezzanine debt, other subordinated debt, interests senior to common equity, as well as equity securities (or rights to acquire equity securities) which may or may not be acquired in connection with a debt financing transaction, and doing any and all things necessary, convenient or incidental thereto as necessary or desirable to promote and carry out such purpose. The funds with this investment strategy seek to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns by taking advantage of credit opportunities in U.S. middle-market companies with liquidity needs and market leaders seeking to improve their balance sheets.    The opportunistic lending strategy is managed through a private fund and separately managed accounts (the “Opportunistic Lending Funds” and together with the First Lien Funds and the Diversified Lending Managed Account, the “Owl Rock Private Funds”).    As of September 30, 2021, the Owl Rock Advisers have $2.0 billion of assets under management across these products.

The Board of Directors

Overall responsibility for our oversight rests with the Board of Directors. We have entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement pursuant to which the Adviser will manage the Company on a day-to-day basis. The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and other service providers in our operations in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and our amended and restated charter

 

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(the “Charter”). The Board of Directors consists of seven members, four of whom are not “interested persons” of the Company or the Adviser as defined in the 1940 Act. Pursuant to our Charter, the directors are divided into three classes. Directors of each class will hold office for terms ending at the third annual meeting of Shareholders after their election and when their respective successors are elected and qualify. However, the initial members of the three classes of directors will have initial terms ending at the first, second and third annual meeting of Shareholders after the Initial Closing, respectively.

The Board of Directors meets in-person at regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each year. In addition, the Board of Directors may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. As described below, the Board of Directors has established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time, to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.

The Board of Directors has appointed Edward D’Alelio, an independent director, to serve in the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, counsel and other directors generally between meetings. The Chairman serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the directors. The Chairman also may perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board of Directors from time to time. The Board of Directors will review matters related to its leadership structure annually. The Board of Directors has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board of Directors to exercise informed and independent judgment over the matters under its purview and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of directors and the full Board of Directors in a manner that enhances effective oversight.

Investment Advisory Agreement

The description below of the Investment Advisory Agreement is only a summary and is not necessarily complete. The description set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Investment Advisory Agreement attached as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.

Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will be responsible for the following:

 

   

managing the Company’s assets in accordance with its investment objective, policies and restrictions;

 

   

determining the composition of the Company’s portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to the Company’s portfolio and the manner of implementing such changes;

 

   

making investment decisions for the Company, including negotiating the terms of investments in, and dispositions of, portfolio securities and other instruments on its behalf;

 

   

monitoring the Company’s investments;

 

   

performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies;

 

   

exercising voting rights in respect of portfolio securities and other investments for the Company;

 

   

serving on, and exercising observer rights for, boards of directors and similar committees of the Company’s portfolio companies; and

 

   

providing the Company with such other investment advisory and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of capital.

The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to the Company are not impaired.

 

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Term

Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date it first becomes effective, and will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board of Directors or by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent directors.

The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate within the meaning of the 1940 Act and related SEC guidance and interpretations in the event of its assignment. In accordance with the 1940 Act, without payment of penalty, the Company may terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice. The decision to terminate the agreement may be made by a majority of the Board of Directors or the Shareholders holding a Majority of the Outstanding shares of Common Stock. “Majority of the Outstanding Shares” means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are present or represented by proxy or (2) a majority of outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition, without payment of penalty, the Adviser may generally terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice.

Removal of Adviser

The Adviser may be removed by the Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of a Majority of the Outstanding Shares.

Compensation of Adviser

The Company will pay the Adviser an investment advisory fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two components: management fee (the “Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”). The cost of both the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee will ultimately be borne by the Shareholders.

The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears. The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears. Prior to an Exchange Listing the Management Fee is payable at an annual rate of 0.90% of:

 

  (i)

the Company’s average gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, plus

 

  (ii)

the average of any remaining unfunded Capital Commitments to the Company at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters;

provided, however, that no Management Fee will be charged on the value of the Company’s gross assets that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act.

Following an Exchange Listing, the Management Fee is payable at an annual rate of:

 

  (i)

1.5% of the Company’s average gross assets that is above an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters payable quarterly in arrears, and

 

  (ii)

1.00% of the Company’s average gross assets that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the 1940 Act, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters payable quarterly in arrears.

The Management Fee will be appropriately prorated and adjusted (based on the actual number of days elapsed relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter) for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant calendar quarters and for any partial month or quarter. For purposes of the Investment Advisory Agreement, gross assets means the Company’s total assets determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, excluding cash and cash equivalents, but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts

 

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The Incentive Fee consists of two components that are independent of each other, with the result that one component may be payable even if the other is not. A portion of the Incentive Fee is based on the Company’s income and a portion is based on its capital gains, each as described below. The portion of the Incentive Fee based on income is determined and paid quarterly in arrears commencing with the first calendar quarter following the Initial Closing Date, and equals (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 100% of the pre- Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate,” until the Adviser has received 10% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.67% quarterly, 10% of all remaining pre- Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 100% of the pre- Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate,” until the Adviser has received 17.5% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% quarterly, 17.5% of all remaining pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter. The 100% “catch-up” provision for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the 1.5% “hurdle rate” is intended to provide the Adviser with an incentive fee of (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% on all pre- Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.67% in a calendar quarter (6.67% annualized), and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% on all pre-Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.82% in a calendar quarter (7.27% annualized), which, in each case, is the rate at which catch-up is achieved. Once the “hurdle rate” is reached and catch-up is achieved, (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.67% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser.

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means dividends (including reinvested dividends), interest and fee income accrued by the Company during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the calendar quarter (including the Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest (“PIK”) and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Company may not have received in cash. The Adviser is not obligated to return the Incentive Fee it receives on PIK interest that is later determined to be uncollectible in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.

To determine whether pre-Incentive Fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income is expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter commencing with the first calendar quarter following the Initial Closing Date. Because of the structure of the Incentive Fee, it is possible that the Company may pay an Incentive Fee in a calendar quarter in which it incurs a loss. For example, if the Company receives pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly hurdle rate, it will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if it has incurred a loss in that calendar quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly hurdle rate is calculated based on the Company’s net assets, decreases in the Company’s net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given calendar quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached and therefore the likelihood of the Company paying an Incentive Fee for that calendar quarter. The Company’s net investment income used to calculate this component of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of the Company’s gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee because gross assets are total assets (including cash received) before deducting liabilities (such as declared dividend payments).

 

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The following are graphical representations of the calculation of the income-related portion of the Incentive Fee:

Quarterly Incentive Fee on

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income

Prior to an Exchange Listing

(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)

 

0%   1.5%   1.67%
f 0% g   f 100% g   f 10% g

Quarterly Incentive Fee on

Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income

Subsequent to an Exchange Listing

(expressed as a percentage of the value of net assets)

 

0%   1.5%   1.82%
f 0% g   f 100% g   f 17.5% g

Percentage of Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income

Allocated to Quarterly Incentive Fee

The second component of the Incentive Fee, the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, payable at the end of each calendar year in arrears, equals, (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% of cumulative realized capital gains from the Initial Closing Date to the end of each calendar year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the Initial Closing Date to the end of each calendar year, and (ii) subsequent to an Exchange Listing, 17.5% of cumulative realized capital gains from the Listing Date to the end of each calendar year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the Listing Date to the end of each calendar year. Each year, the fee paid for the Capital Gains Incentive Fee is net of the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fee for prior periods. The Company will accrue, but will not pay, a Capital Gains Incentive Fee with respect to unrealized appreciation because a Capital Gains Incentive Fee would be owed to the Adviser if the Company were to sell the relevant investment and realize a capital gain. The fees that are payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement for any partial period will be appropriately prorated. For the sole purpose of calculating the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, the cost basis as of the Initial Closing Date for all of the Company’s investments made prior to the Initial Closing Date will be equal to the fair market value of such investments as of the last day of the calendar quarter in which the Initial Closing Date occurs; provided, however, that in no event will the Capital Gains Fee payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement be in excess of the amount permitted by the Advisers Act, including Section 205 thereof.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification

The Adviser and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its sole member, are not liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services).

The Company will indemnify the Adviser and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its general partner or managing member and the Administrator (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company. However, the Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its Shareholders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of criminal conduct, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement.

 

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Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement

The Board of Directors held an in-person meeting to consider and approve the Investment Advisory Agreement and related matters. The Board of Directors was provided with the information it required to consider the Investment Advisory Agreement, including: (a) the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to the Company by the Adviser; (b) comparative data with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses paid by other BDCs, which could include employees of the Adviser or its affiliates; (c) the Company’s projected operating expenses and expense ratio compared to BDCs with similar investment objectives; (d) any existing and potential sources of indirect income to the Adviser from its relationship with the Company and the profitability of that relationship; (e) information about the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services under the Investment Advisory Agreement; (f) the organizational capability and financial condition of the Adviser and its affiliates; and (g) the possibility of obtaining similar services from other third-party service providers or through an internally managed structure.

Administration Agreement

The description below of the Administration Agreement is only a summary and is not necessarily complete. The description set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Administration Agreement attached as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.

The Adviser also serves as our administrator. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement the Adviser will perform, or oversee the performance of, administrative services, which includes, but is not limited to, providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to Shareholders and reports filed with the SEC, managing the payment of expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others, which could include employees of the Adviser or its affiliates. The Company will reimburse the Adviser for services performed for the Company pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser may delegate its obligations under the Administration Agreement to an affiliate or to a third party and the Company will reimburse the Adviser for any services performed for the Company by such affiliate or third party. To the extent that the Adviser outsources any of its functions, the Company will pay the fees associated with such functions on a direct basis, without profit to the Adviser.

Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement will remain in effect for a period of two years from the date it first becomes effective, and will remain in effect from year-to-year thereafter if approved annually by a majority of the Board of Directors or by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities and, in each case, a majority of the independent directors. The Company may terminate the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice. The decision to terminate the agreement may be made by a majority of the Board of Directors or the shareholders holding a Majority of the Outstanding Shares of the Common Stock. In addition, the Adviser may terminate the Administration Agreement, without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice.

The Administration Agreement provides that the Adviser and its affiliates’ respective officers, directors, members, managers, stockholders and employees are entitled to indemnification from us from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Administration Agreement, except where attributable to willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of such person’s duties or reckless disregard of such person’s obligations and duties under the Administration Agreement.

License Agreement

We have entered into a license agreement (the “License Agreement”) with an affiliate of Blue Owl, pursuant to which we will be granted a non-exclusive license to use the name “Owl Rock.” Under the License Agreement, we have a right to use the Owl Rock name for so long as the Adviser or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the “Owl Rock” name or logo.

 

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Payment of Our Expenses under the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements

Except as specifically provided below, the Company anticipates that all investment professionals and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to the Company, and the base compensation, bonus and benefits, and the routine overhead expenses, of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser shall be solely responsible for any placement or “finder’s” fees payable to placement agents engaged by the Company or its affiliates in connection with the offering of securities by the Company. The Company will bear its allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of the Company’s officers who provide operational and administrative services hereunder, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to the Company (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to the Company. The Company shall reimburse the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the business affairs of the Company and in acting on behalf of the Company and as otherwise set forth in the Administrative Agreement). The Company also will bear all other costs and expenses of its operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to (i) investment advisory fees, including Management Fees and Incentive Fees, to the Adviser, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) the Company’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses (including rent, office equipment and utilities) incurred by the Adviser in performing its administrative obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, and (iii) all other costs and expenses of its operations and transactions including, without limitation, those relating to:

 

   

the cost of corporate and organizational expenses relating to offerings of shares of our Common Stock;

 

   

the cost of calculating its net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;

 

   

the cost of effecting any sales and repurchases of the Common Stock and other securities;

 

   

fees and expenses payable under any dealer manager agreements, if any;

 

   

debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements;

 

   

costs of hedging;

 

   

expenses, including travel expense, incurred by the Administrator, or members of the investment team, or payable to third parties, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing the Company’s rights;

 

   

escrow agent, transfer agent and custodial fees and expenses;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

   

federal and state registration fees, any stock exchange listing fees and fees payable to rating agencies;

 

   

federal, state and local taxes;

 

   

independent directors’ fees and expenses, including certain travel expenses;

 

   

costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records and filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration fees, listing fees and licenses, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation of the foregoing;

 

   

the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to Shareholders (including printing and mailing costs),

 

   

the costs of any Shareholder or director meetings and the compensation of personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters;

 

   

commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers;

 

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research and market data;

 

   

fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

   

direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with independent audits, outside legal and consulting costs;

 

   

costs of winding up;

 

   

costs incurred in connection with the formation or maintenance of entities or vehicles to hold the Company’s assets for tax or other purposes;

 

   

extraordinary expenses (such as litigation or indemnification); and

 

   

costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws.

Fees and Expenses

The table below provides information about our estimated annual operating expenses during the following twelve months, expressed as a percentage of average net assets attributable to Common Stock. The percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary.

 

Management Fee(1)

     1.9

Incentive Fee(2)

     0.9

Interest payments on Borrowed Funds(3)

     3.0

Other Expenses(4)

     1.6

Total Annual Expenses

     7.4

 

 

(1)

Amount assumes that we have average net assets of $500 million and unfunded investor commitments of $200 million during the following twelve months and that we borrow funds equal to 75% of our average net assets during such period.

 

(2)

For purpose of this chart, we have assumed that we will not conduct an Exchange Listing in the next twelve months. Additionally, we have assumed beginning net assets of $500 million for each of the four quarters, and pre-Incentive Fee net investment income of 5% of net assets during the same period. This assumption is made solely for the purpose of estimating fees and that there are no assurances that the Company will have positive income during the relevant time period.

 

(3)

We intend to borrow funds to make investments. To the extent that we determine it is appropriate to borrow funds to make investments, the costs associated with such borrowing will be indirectly borne by our investors. The figure in the table assumes we borrow for investment purposes an amount equal to 75% of our average net assets (including such borrowed funds) during the following twelve months and that the annual interest rate on the amount borrowed is 3.7%. We may borrow additional funds from time to time to make investments to the extent we determine that the economic situation is conducive to doing so.

 

(4)

Other expenses include, but are not limited to, accounting, legal and auditing fees, as well as the reimbursement of the compensation of administrative personnel and fees payable to our directors who do not also serve in an executive officer capacity for us or the Adviser. The amount presented in the table reflects estimated amounts we expect to pay during the following twelve months.

Example

We have provided an example of the projected dollar amount of total expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical $1,000 investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that: (1) we have indebtedness, equal to 75% of our average net assets, (2) that our annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above, (3) that the annual return on investments before fees and expenses is 5.0%, (4) that we have average net assets for twelve month of operations equal to $500 million, and (5) that we have unfunded capital commitments equal to $200 million, and (6) that all shares are issued at the same price per share.

 

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You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000  investment

   1 year      3 years      5 years      10 years  

5% annual return from investment income

   $ 62      $ 190      $ 325      $ 697  

5% annual return from capital gains

   $ 70      $ 215      $ 364      $ 762  

While the example assumes a 5.0% annual return on investment before fees and expenses, our performance will vary and may result in an annual return that is greater or less than 5.0%. This example should not be considered a representation of your future expenses. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments to trigger a quarterly incentive fee on income of a material amount, both our distributions to our shareholders and our expenses would be higher. If the 5.0% annual return is generated entirely from annual realized capital gains, an incentive fee on capital gains under the Investment Advisory Agreement would be incurred, as shown above. See “Item 1(c) —Investment Advisory Agreement —Compensation of Adviser” for information concerning incentive fees.

Potential Market Trends

We believe the technology investment environment provides opportunities for us to meet our goal of making investments that generate an attractive total return based on a combination of the following factors:

Limited Availability of Capital for Technology Companies. We believe that technology companies have limited access to capital, driven by a reduction in activity from commercial and investment banks, and a lack of dedicated pools of capital focused on technology companies. Traditional lenders, such as commercial and investment banks, generally do not have flexible product offerings that meet the needs of technology-related companies. In recent years, many commercial and investment banks have focused their efforts and resources on lending to large corporate clients and managing capital markets transactions rather than lending to technology-related companies. In addition, these lenders may be constrained in their ability to underwrite and hold loans and high yield securities, as well as their ability to provide equity financing, as they seek to meet existing and future regulatory capital requirements. We also believe that there is a lack of scaled market participants that are willing to provide and hold meaningful amounts of a customized financing solution for technology companies. As a result, we believe our focus on technology-related companies and our ability to invest across the capital structure, coupled with a limited supply of capital providers, presents an attractive opportunity to invest in technology companies.

Capital Markets Have Been Unable to Fill the Void Left by Banks. While underwritten bond and syndicated loan markets have been robust in recent years, many technology companies are less able to access these markets for reasons including the following:

High Yield Market — Many technology companies generally do not issue debt in amounts large enough to be attractively sized bonds. High yield bonds are generally purchased by institutional investors who, among other things, are highly focused on the liquidity characteristics of the bond being issued. For example, mutual funds and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) are significant buyers of underwritten bonds. However, mutual funds and ETFs generally require the ability to liquidate their investments quickly in order to fund investor redemptions and/or comply with regulatory requirements. Accordingly, the existence of an active secondary market for bonds is an important consideration in these entities’ initial investment decision. Because there is typically little or no active secondary market for the debt of U.S. middle market companies, mutual funds and ETFs generally do not provide debt capital to technology companies. We believe this is likely to be a persistent problem and creates an advantage for those like us who have a more stable capital base and have the ability to invest in illiquid assets.

Syndicated Loan Market — Loan issue size and liquidity are key drivers of institutional demand and, correspondingly, underwriters’ willingness to underwrite the loans. Loans arranged through a bank are done either on a “best efforts” basis or are underwritten with terms plus provisions that permit the underwriters to change certain terms, including pricing, structure, yield and tenor, otherwise known as “flex”, to successfully syndicate the loan, in the event the terms initially marketed are insufficiently attractive to investors. Loans provided by companies such as ours provide certainty to issuers in that we can commit to a given amount of debt on specific terms, at stated coupons and with agreed upon fees. As we are the ultimate holder of the loans, we do not require market “flex” or other arrangements that banks may require when acting on an agency basis.

 

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Robust Demand for Capital. According to 451 Research’s M&A KnowledgeBase, there was approximately $1.8 trillion of mergers and acquisitions activity in the technology and software industries from 2015 through 2020. We believe technology companies will continue to require access to capital to refinance existing debt, support growth and finance acquisitions. In addition, we believe the large amount of uninvested capital held by funds of private equity firms, estimated by Preqin Ltd., an alternative assets industry data and research company, to be $1.5 trillion as of October 2020, coupled with a growing focus on technology investing by private equity sponsors, will continue to drive deal activity. We expect that technology companies, private equity sponsors, venture capital firms, and entrepreneurs will continue to seek partners to provide flexible financing for their businesses with debt and equity investments provided by companies such as us.

Technology Spend is Large and Increasing. According to Gartner, a research and advisory company, global technology spend was $3.7 trillion in 2019 and is expected to grow to more than $4.3 trillion by 2023. We believe global demand for technology products and services will continue to grow rapidly, and that that growth will stimulate demand for capital from technology companies.

Attractive Investment Dynamics. An imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, capital creates attractive pricing dynamics. With respect to the debt investments in technology companies, we believe the directly negotiated nature of such financings generally provides more favorable terms to the lender, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, better call protection, and lender protective change of control provisions. Further, we believe that historical default rates for technology and software companies have been lower, and recovery rates have been higher, as compared to the broader leveraged finance market, leading to lower cumulative losses. With respect to equity-related investments, we will seek to structure these investments with meaningful shareholder protections, including, but not limited to, anti-dilution, anti-layering, and liquidation preferences, which we believe will create the potential for meaningful risk-adjusted long-term capital gains in connection with the future liquidity events of these technology companies.

Compelling Business Models. We believe that the products and services that technology companies provide often have high switching costs and are fundamental to the operations and success of their customers. We generally invest in dominant or growing players in niche markets that are selling products to established customer bases. As a result, technology companies have attributes that make them compelling investments, including strong customer retention rates, and highly recurring and predictable revenue. Further, technology companies are typically highly capital efficient, with limited capital expenditures and high free cash flow conversion. In addition, the replicable nature of technology products creates substantial operating leverage which typically results in strong profitability.

We believe that software businesses make compelling investments because they are inherently diversified into a variety of sectors due to end market applications and have been one of the more defensive sectors throughout economic cycles.

Attractive Opportunities in Investments in Technology Companies. We intend to invest in the debt and equity of technology companies. We believe that opportunities in the debt of technology companies are significant because of the floating rate structure of most senior secured debt issuances and because of the strong defensive characteristics of these types of investments. Given the current low interest rate environment, we believe that debt issues with floating interest rates offer a superior return profile as compared with fixed-rate investments, since floating rate structures are generally less susceptible to declines in value experienced by fixed-rate securities in a rising interest rate environment. Senior secured debt also provides strong defensive characteristics. Senior secured debt has priority in payment among an issuer’s security holders whereby holders are due to receive payment before junior creditors and equity holders. Further, these investments are generally secured by the issuer’s assets, which may provide protection in the event of a default.

We believe that opportunities in the equity of technology companies are significant because of the potential to generate meaningful capital appreciation by participating in the growth in the portfolio company and the demand for its products and services. Moreover, we believe that the high-growth profile of a technology company will generally make it a more attractive candidate for a liquidity event than a company in a non-high growth industry.

 

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Potential Competitive Advantages

We believe that the Adviser’s disciplined approach to origination, fundamental investment analysis, portfolio construction and risk management should allow us to achieve attractive risk-adjusted returns while preserving our capital. We believe that we represent an attractive investment opportunity for the following reasons:

Dedicated Pool of Capital. From a deal sourcing perspective, we believe Owl Rock’s pool of capital dedicated to technology investing should enable us to be a more relevant partner to sponsors and management teams who seek this type of financing for their deals.

Additionally, our dedicated industry focus will be supported by a team with a track record of success investing in technology businesses. The Adviser’s network of deep industry relationships creates a substantial information advantage that informs and augments its due diligence process. This unique positioning should further drive entrenchment with sponsors as the Adviser will typically be viewed as a value-added partner during the diligence and investment lifecycle of our businesses.

We believe the technology sector to be underserved and, other than ORTF, we are not aware of any entities currently serving the sector that have large pools of capital dedicated to the space and that do not operate competing businesses.

Experienced Team with Expertise Across all Levels of the Corporate Capital Structure. The members of the Investment Committee have an average of 20 years of experience in private lending and investing at all levels of a company’s capital structure, including in high yield securities, leveraged loans, high yield credit derivatives, distressed securities, and equity securities, as well as experience in operations, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. The members of the Investment Committee have diverse backgrounds with investing experience through multiple business and credit cycles. Moreover, certain members of the Investment Committee and other executives and employees of the Adviser and its affiliates have operating and/or investing experience on behalf of business development companies. In addition, through its West Coast office, the Adviser has a significant presence in Silicon Valley to better serve financial sponsors operating in the technology sector. We believe this experience provides the Adviser with an in-depth understanding of the strategic, financial and operational challenges and opportunities of technology companies and will afford it numerous tools to manage risk while preserving the opportunity for attractive risk-adjusted returns on our investments.

Distinctive Origination Platform. We anticipate that a substantial majority of our investments will be sourced directly and that our origination platform will provide us the ability to originate investments without the assistance of investment banks or other traditional Wall Street intermediaries.

The investment team includes over 50 investment professionals (over 20 of whom are dedicated to technology investing) and is responsible for originating, underwriting, executing and managing the assets of our direct lending transactions and for sourcing and executing opportunities directly. The investment team has significant experience as transaction originators and building and maintaining strong relationships with private equity sponsors and companies. In addition, we believe that the formation of Blue Owl has enhanced the investment team’s investment sourcing capabilities as a result of the combination of Owl Rock’s and Dyal’s relationships with the alternative asset management community by increasing the opportunities for them to utilize Blue Owl’s resources and its relationships with the financial sponsor community and service providers, which we believe has resulted in an increased pipeline of deal opportunities.

The investment team also maintains direct contact with banks, corporate advisory firms, industry consultants, attorneys, investment banks, “club” investors and other potential sources of lending opportunities. We believe the Adviser’s ability to source through multiple channels will allow us to generate investment opportunities that have more attractive risk-adjusted return characteristics than by relying solely on origination flow from investment banks or other intermediaries and to be more selective investors.

 

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Since the Adviser’s affiliates began investment activities in April 2016 through September 30, 2021, the Adviser and its affiliates have reviewed over 5,800 direct lending opportunities (of which approximately $280 billion were technology-related) and sourced potential investment opportunities from over 585 private equity sponsors and venture capital firms. We believe that the Adviser will receive “early looks” and “last looks” based on its and Blue Owl’s relationships, allowing it to be highly selective in the transactions it pursues.

Provide Customized Financing Complementary to Financial Sponsors’ Capital. We intend to offer a broad range of investment structures and possess expertise and experience to effectively structure and price investments in technology companies. We intend to offer customized financing solutions ranging from senior debt to equity capital. Unlike many of our competitors that we believe are restricted to smaller investment sizes and only invest in companies that fit a specific set of investment parameters, we believe that we will have the scale and flexibility to structure our investments to suit the particular needs of our portfolio companies. As a result, we believe that our capital will be viewed as an attractive and complimentary source of capital, both by the portfolio company and by the portfolio company’s financial sponsor.

Potential Long-Term Investment Horizon. We believe our potential long-term investment horizon will give us flexibility, allowing us to maximize returns on our investments in technology companies. We intend to invest using a long-term focus, which we believe will provide us with the opportunity to increase total returns on invested capital, as compared to other private company investment vehicles or investment vehicles with daily liquidity requirements (e.g., open-ended mutual funds and ETFs).

Disciplined Investment Philosophy. The Adviser intends to employ an investment approach focused on rigorous due diligence and underwriting, a highly selective and multi-stage investment decision process, and ongoing portfolio monitoring. The investment approach will focus on quantitative and qualitative factors, with particular emphasis on early detection of potential deterioration. This strategy is designed to minimize potential losses and achieve attractive risk adjusted returns.

Active Portfolio Monitoring. The Adviser intends to closely monitor the investments in our portfolio and take a proactive approach to identifying and addressing sector- or company-specific risks. The Adviser will receive and review detailed financial information from portfolio companies no less than quarterly and will seek to maintain regular dialogue with portfolio company management teams regarding current and forecasted performance. We anticipate that many of our debt investments will have financial covenants that we believe will provide an early warning of potential problems facing our borrowers, allowing lenders, including us, to identify and carefully manage risk. In addition, the Adviser has built out its portfolio management team to include workout experts who will closely monitor our portfolio companies and assess each portfolio company’s operational and liquidity exposure and outlook. Further, we anticipate that many of our equity investments will provide us the opportunity to nominate a member or observer to the Board of Directors of the portfolio company, which we believe will allow us to closely monitor the performance of our portfolio companies.

Investment Selection

The Adviser expects to apply rigorous and established investment selection and underwriting criteria. Although not exhaustive, the Adviser expects that our investments will typically have many of the following attributes:

 

   

Mission critical solutions: services and products that are essential to business operations and are crucial elements of workflows or operations of end users;

 

   

Market leader: dominant or growing players selling to established customer bases;

 

   

Highly recurring revenue: revenue streams with high degrees of visibility (contracted or re-occurring) and substantial gross margins diversified by a granular, long-tenured customer base;

 

   

Strong customer retention: highly embedded software with meaningful switching costs;

 

   

Highly capital efficient: high free cash flow due to low capital expenditures and working capital requirements; and

 

   

Strong profitability: strong unit economic create substantial operating leverage.

The Adviser has identified the following investment criteria and guidelines that it believes are important in evaluating prospective portfolio companies. However, not all of these criteria and guidelines will be met, or will be equally important, in connection with each of our investments.

 

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Established Companies. We intend to invest in companies with established business models, products and customers and that have demonstrated, or have a plan to achieve, sound financial performance which we believe tend to be well-positioned to generate consistent cash flow to service and repay their obligations and maintain growth in their businesses or market share. We intend to invest in later stage companies, including market leaders providing mission critical solutions, serving less cyclical end-markets and with highly recurring revenue and strong customer retention. The Adviser does not intend to invest in start-up companies with speculative business plans.

Strong Competitive Position in Industry. The Adviser intends to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of target companies relative to their competitors. The factors the Adviser will consider include relative product pricing, product quality, customer loyalty, substitution risk, switching costs, patent protection, brand positioning and capitalization. We will seek to invest in companies that have developed leading positions within their respective markets, are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities and operate businesses, exhibit the potential to maintain sufficient cash flows to service their obligations in a range of economic environments or are in industries with significant barriers to entry. We will seek companies that demonstrate advantages in scale, scope, customer loyalty, product pricing or product quality versus their competitors that, when compared to their competitors, may help to protect their market position and cash flows.

Experienced Management Team. We will seek to invest in companies that have experienced management teams. We also will seek to invest in companies that have proper incentives in place, including management teams having significant equity interests to motivate management to act in concert with our interests as an investor.

Diversified Customer and Supplier Base. We generally will seek to invest in technology companies that have a diversified customer and supplier base. Companies with a diversified customer and supplier base generally are better able to endure economic downturns, industry consolidation, changing business preferences and other factors that may negatively impact their customers, suppliers and competitors.

Exit Strategy. While certain debt investments may be repaid through operating cash flows of the borrower, we expect that the primary means by which we exit our debt investments will be through methods such as strategic acquisitions by other industry participants, an initial public offering of common stock, a recapitalization, a refinancing or another transaction in the capital markets.

Prior to making an equity investment in a prospective portfolio company, we analyze the potential for that company to increase the liquidity of its equity through a future event that we expect will enable us to realize appreciation in the value of our equity interest. Liquidity events may include an IPO, a private sale of our equity interest to a third party, a merger or an acquisition of the company or a purchase of our equity position by the company or one of its shareholders.

In addition, in connection with our investing activities, we may make commitments with respect to an investment in a potential portfolio company substantially in excess of our final investment. In such situations, while we may initially agree to fund up to a certain dollar amount of an investment, we may sell a portion of such amount, such that we are left with a smaller investment than what was reflected in our original commitment.

Financial Sponsorship. We may seek to participate in transactions sponsored by what we believe to be high-quality private equity and venture capital firms. We believe that a financial sponsor’s willingness to invest significant sums of equity capital into a company is an explicit endorsement of the quality of their investment. Further, financial sponsors of portfolio companies with significant investments at risk have the ability and a strong incentive to contribute additional capital in difficult economic times should operational issues arise.

Investments in Different Portfolio Companies and End Markets. We will seek to invest broadly among portfolio companies and end markets, thereby potentially reducing the risk of any one company or industry having a disproportionate impact on the value of our portfolio; however, there can be no assurances in this regard.

 

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Investment Process Overview

Origination and Sourcing. The investment team has an extensive network from which to source deal flow and referrals. Specifically, the Adviser intends to source portfolio investments from a variety of different investment sources, including among others, private equity sponsors, management teams, financial intermediaries and advisers, investment bankers, family offices, accounting firms and law firms. The Adviser believes that its experience across different industries and transaction types makes the Adviser particularly and uniquely qualified to source, analyze and execute investment opportunities with a focus on downside protection and a return of principal.

Due Diligence Process. The process through which an investment decision will be made will involve extensive research into the company, its industry, its growth prospects and its ability to withstand adverse conditions. If one or more of the members of the investment team responsible for the transaction determines that an investment opportunity should be pursued, the Adviser will engage in an intensive due diligence process. Though each transaction may involve a somewhat different approach, the Adviser’s diligence of each opportunity could include:

 

   

understanding the purpose of the loan, the key personnel, the sources and uses of the proceeds;

 

   

meeting the company’s management and key personnel, including top level executives, to get an insider’s view of the business, and to probe for potential weaknesses in business prospects;

 

   

checking management’s backgrounds and references;

 

   

performing a detailed review of historical financial performance, including performance through various economic cycles, and the quality of earnings;

 

   

contacting customers and vendors to assess both business prospects and standard practices;

 

   

conducting a competitive analysis, and comparing the company to its main competitors on an operating, financial, market share and valuation basis;

 

   

researching the industry for historic growth trends and future prospects as well as to identify future exit alternatives;

 

   

assessing asset value and the ability of physical infrastructure and information systems to handle anticipated growth;

 

   

leveraging the Adviser’s internal resources and network with institutional knowledge of the company’s business;

 

   

assessing business valuation and corresponding recovery analysis;

 

   

reviewing environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) considerations including consulting the Sustainability Account Standards Board’s Engagement Guide for ESG considerations; and

 

   

investigating legal and regulatory risks and financial and accounting systems and practices.

Selective Investment Process. After an investment has been identified and preliminary diligence has been completed, an investment committee memorandum will be prepared. This Registration Statement will be reviewed by the members of the investment team in charge of the potential investment. If these members of the investment team are in favor of the potential investment, then a more extensive due diligence process will be employed. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by attorneys, independent accountants, and other third-party consultants and research firms prior to the closing of the investment, as appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

Structuring and Execution. Approval of an investment requires the approval of a majority of the Investment Committee. Once the Investment Committee has determined that a prospective portfolio company may be suitable for investment, the Adviser will work with the management team or sponsor of that company and its other capital providers, including senior, junior and equity capital providers, if any, to finalize the structure and terms of the investment.

 

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Portfolio Monitoring. The Adviser will monitor our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. The Adviser will monitor the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if it is meeting its business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action with respect to our investment in each portfolio company. The Adviser has a number of methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our investments, which may include the following:

 

   

assessment of success of the portfolio company in adhering to its business plan and compliance with covenants;

 

   

periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the financial or strategic sponsor, to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments;

 

   

comparisons to other companies in the portfolio company’s industry;

 

   

attendance at, and participation in, board meetings; and

 

   

review of periodic financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies.

Structure of Investments

We expect that our portfolio composition generally will be majority debt or income producing securities, which may include “covenant-lite” loans, with a lesser allocation to equity-related opportunities. To a lesser extent, we may make investments in syndicated loan opportunities, including in publicly traded debt instruments, for cash management purposes. In addition, our portfolio composition may fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and interest rates.

Covenants are contractual restrictions that lenders place on companies to limit the corporate actions a company may pursue. Generally, the loans in which we expect to invest will have financial maintenance covenants, which will be used to proactively address materially adverse changes in a portfolio company’s financial performance. However, to a lesser extent, we may invest in “covenant-lite” loans. We use the term “covenant-lite” to generally refer to loans that do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in “covenant-lite” loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.

Our investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation by targeting investment opportunities with favorable risk-adjusted returns.

Debt Investments. The terms of our debt investments will be tailored to the facts and circumstances of each transaction. The Adviser intends to negotiate the structure of each investment to protect our rights and manage our risk. We intend to invest in the following types of debt:

 

   

First-lien debt. First-lien debt typically will be senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a first-priority security interest in assets of the issuer. The security interest ranks above the security interest of any second-lien lenders in those assets. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans, “last out” first-lien loans, “unitranche” loans (including the “last out” portions of such loans) and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans.

 

 

Stand-alone first-lien loans. Stand-alone first-lien loans are traditional first-lien loans. All lenders in the facility have equal rights to the collateral that is subject to the first-priority security interest.

 

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“Last out” first-lien / unitranche loans. Unitranche loans (including the “last out” portions of such loans) combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position. In many cases, we intend to provide the issuer most, if not all, of the capital structure above their equity. The primary advantages to the issuer are the ability to negotiate the entire debt financing with one lender and the elimination of intercreditor issues. “Last out” first-lien loans have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans in the collateral securing the loans in certain circumstances. The arrangements for a “last out” first-lien loan typically are set forth in an “agreement among lenders,” which will provide lenders with “first out” and “last out” payment streams based on a single lien on the collateral. Since the “first out” lenders generally have priority over the “last out” lenders for receiving payment under certain specified events of default, or upon the occurrence of other triggering events under intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders, the “last out” lenders bear a greater risk and, in exchange, receive a higher effective interest rate, through arrangements among the lenders, than the “first out” lenders or lenders in stand-alone first-lien loans. Agreements among lenders also typically provide greater voting rights to the “last out” lenders than the intercreditor agreements to which second-lien lenders often are subject. Among the types of first-lien debt in which we may invest, “last out” first-lien loans generally have higher effective interest rates than other types of first-lien loans, since “last out” first-lien loans rank below standalone first-lien loans.

 

   

Second-lien debt. We expect that our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt. Second-lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to unsecured liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a security interest over assets of the issuer, though ranking junior to first-lien debt secured by those assets. First-lien lenders and second-lien lenders typically have separate liens on the collateral, and an inter-creditor agreement provides the first-lien lenders with priority over the second-lien lenders’ liens on the collateral.

 

   

Mezzanine debt. Structurally, mezzanine debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to first-lien and second-lien debt, is often unsecured, and may not have the benefit of financial covenants common in first-lien and second-lien debt. However, mezzanine debt ranks senior to common and preferred equity in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine debt investments generally offer lenders fixed returns in the form of interest payments, which could be paid-in-kind, and may provide lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation, if any, of an issuer through an equity interest. This equity interest typically takes the form of an equity co-investment or warrants. Due to its higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants compared to senior secured loans, mezzanine debt generally bears a higher stated interest rate than first-lien and second-lien debt.

We intend to structure our debt with the maximum security and collateral that we can reasonably obtain while seeking to achieve our total return target. The Adviser will seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by:

 

   

requiring a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential equity appreciation) that compensates us for credit risk;

 

   

negotiating covenants in connection with our investments consistent with preservation of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative covenants (including reporting requirements), negative covenants (including financial covenants), lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation rights or rights to a seat on the board under some circumstances; and

 

   

including debt amortization requirements, where appropriate, to require the timely repayment of principal of the loan, as well as appropriate maturity dates.

 

   

Convertible bonds. Convertible bonds are fixed-income corporate debt securities that yield current interest payments, but can be converted into common stock or other equivalent equity shares of an issuer. Interest may be in the form of cash or payment-in-kind, or a combination of both. Although we may, from time to time, invest in convertible securities of publicly listed issuers, our convertible bond investments are typically issued to private businesses. Upon a qualifying public offering, these securities become convertible at the option of the bondholder (or, in some instances, are mandatorily converted) into shares of the issuer. Conversion prices are typically set at a discount to the market price of the shares at pricing of the qualifying public offering.

 

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Equity-Related Investments. Our investment in a portfolio company could be or may include an equity- related interest. Our equity securities typically consist of either a direct minority equity investment in common or preferred stock or membership/partnership interests of a portfolio company, or we may receive warrants to buy a minority equity interest in a portfolio company in connection with a debt investment. Warrants we receive with our debt investments typically require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. Our equity investments are typically not control-oriented investments and we may structure such equity investments to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder.

Emerging Growth Company

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”) and are eligible to take advantage of certain specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). Although we have not made a determination whether to take advantage of any or all of these exemptions, we expect to remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the 1934 Act which would occur if the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which the we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period. In addition, we will take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the 1933 Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash dividends declared by the Board of Directors on behalf of Shareholders who do not elect to receive their dividends in cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board of Directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then Shareholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock as described below, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. Any fractional share otherwise issuable to a participant in the dividend reinvestment plan will instead be paid in cash.

The number of shares to be issued to a Shareholder under the dividend reinvestment plan will be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such Shareholder by the net asset value per share of Common Stock, as of the last day of our calendar quarter immediately preceding the date such distribution was declared. We intend to use newly issued shares to implement the plan.

No action will be required on the part of a registered Shareholder to have his, her or its cash dividend or other distribution reinvested in shares of Common Stock. A registered Shareholder will be able to elect to receive an entire cash dividend or other distribution in cash by notifying the Adviser in writing so that such notice is received by the Adviser no later than ten days prior to the record date for distributions to the Shareholders.

There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to Shareholders who participate in the plan.

The plan will be terminable by us upon notice in writing mailed to each Shareholder of record at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any distribution by us.

 

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Employees

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided by individuals who are employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. Each of our executive officers described under “Item 5. Directors and Executive Officers” is employed by the Adviser or its affiliates. Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by the Adviser. The services necessary for the origination and administration of our investment portfolio will be provided by investment professionals employed by the Adviser or its affiliates. The Investment Team will focus on origination and transaction development and the ongoing monitoring of our investments. In addition, we will reimburse the Adviser for the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business affairs and in acting on our behalf). See “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Investment Advisory Agreement” and “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Administration Agreement”

The Private Offering

We expect to enter into separate subscription agreements with a number of investors providing for the private placement of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Private Offering and may enter into additional subscription agreements from time to time. Each investor will make a Capital Commitment to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to a subscription agreement. Investors will be required to make capital contributions to purchase shares of Common Stock each time we deliver a drawdown notice, which will be issued based on our anticipated investment activities and capital needs, in an aggregate amount not to exceed each investor’s respective capital commitment. We will deliver drawdown requests at least ten business days prior to the required funding date. All purchases of Common Stock will generally be made pro rata in accordance with remaining capital commitments of all investors, at a per-share price equal to the net asset value per share of Common Stock subject to any adjustments. Any adjustments would take into account a determination of changes to net asset value within 48 hours of the sale to assure compliance with Section 23(b) of the 1940 Act. At the earlier of (i) an Exchange Listing and (ii) the end of the Commitment Period (as defined below), Shareholders will be released from any further obligation to fund drawdowns and purchase additional shares of Common Stock, subject to certain conditions described in the subscription agreement. The “Commitment Period” will continue until the earlier of the (i) five year anniversary of the Final Closing and (ii) the seven year anniversary of the Initial Closing. Prior to an Exchange Listing, no investor who participated in the Private Offering will be permitted to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of its shares or Capital Commitment unless the Adviser provides its prior written consent and the transfer is otherwise made in accordance with applicable law.

If, during the Commitment Period two of the four of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer and Alan J. Kirshenbaum (the “Key Persons” and each, a “Key Person”), (i) provide notice of resignation, resign, are terminated or are provided with notice of termination from the position of (1) in the case of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer, co-chief investment officer of the Adviser and (2) in the case of Alan J. Kirshenbaum, chief financial officer of the Adviser, (ii) die or are disabled or (iii) cease to be actively involved (1) in the case of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer, as a member of the Investment Committee or (2) in the case of Alan J. Kirshenbaum, as an officer of the Adviser, for any consecutive period exceeding 60 days, a “Key Person Event” will have occurred. We will send written notice of a Key Person Event to Shareholders within ten business days of such occurrence, the Commitment Period shall automatically be suspended for 90 days and Shareholders will not be obligated to fund drawdowns subject to certain conditions described in the subscription agreement. During the 90 day period in which the Commitment Period is suspended, we will convene a special meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of determining whether the Commitment Period should be reinstated. If the Shareholders entitled to cast 75% of all votes vote in favor of the proposal, and all of the independent members of the Board of Directors vote in favor the proposal, the Commitment Period will be reinstated and Shareholders will be obligated to fund drawdowns as if a Key Person Event had not occurred. If the Shareholders entitled to cast 75% of all votes and all of the independent members of the Board of Directors do not vote in favor of the proposal, the Commitment Period shall be deemed to have terminated upon the occurrence of the Key Person Event.

While we expect each subscription agreement to reflect the terms and conditions summarized in the preceding paragraph, we reserve the right to enter into subscription agreements that contain terms and conditions not found in the subscription agreements entered into with other investors, subject to applicable law.

 

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Regulation as a Business Development Company

The following discussion is a general summary of the material prohibitions and descriptions governing BDCs generally. It does not purport to be a complete description of all of the laws and regulations affecting BDCs.

Qualifying Assets. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are any of the following:

(1) Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:

(a) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

(b) is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by the BDC) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

(c) satisfies any of the following:

(i) does not have any class of securities that is traded on a national securities exchange;

(ii) has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, but has an aggregate market value of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million;

(iii) is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC and the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or

(iv) is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.

(2) Securities of any eligible portfolio company controlled by us.

(3) Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements.

(4) Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company.

(5) Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described in (1) through (4) above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities.

(6) Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.

In addition, a BDC must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.

Significant Managerial Assistance. A BDC must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described above.

 

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However, in order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, the BDC will satisfy this test if one of the other persons in the group makes available such managerial assistance, although this may not be the sole method by which the BDC satisfies the requirement to make available managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through monitoring of portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio company’s officers or other organizational or financial guidance.

Temporary Investments. Pending investment in other types of qualifying assets, as described above, the Company’s investments could consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which are referred to herein, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of the Company’s assets would be qualifying assets. The Company may invest in highly rated commercial paper, U.S. Government agency notes, U.S. Treasury bills or in repurchase agreements relating to such securities that are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as the Company, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed-upon future date and at a price that is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. Consequently, repurchase agreements are functionally similar to loans. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of the Company’s assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, the 1940 Act and certain diversification tests in order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes typically require the Company to limit the amount it invests with any one counterparty. Accordingly, the Company does not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. The Adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which the Company may enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

Warrants. Under the 1940 Act, a BDC is subject to restrictions on the issuance, terms and amount of warrants, options or rights to purchase shares of capital stock that it may have outstanding at any time. Under the 1940 Act, the Company may generally only offer warrants provided that (i) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years, (ii) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance, (iii) Shareholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and the Board of Directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of the Company and the Shareholders and (iv) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of the Company’s voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, as well as options and rights, at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of its outstanding voting securities. In particular, the amount of capital stock that would result from the conversion or exercise of all outstanding warrants, options or rights to purchase capital stock cannot exceed 25% of a BDC’s total outstanding shares of capital stock.

Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio. The Company is generally permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to the Common Stock if its asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, would at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. However, certain provisions of the 1940 Act by allow a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met. The reduced asset coverage requirement would permit a BDC to double the amount of leverage it could incur. For example, under a 150% asset coverage ratio the Company may borrow $2 for investment purposes of every $1 of investor equity whereas under a 200% asset coverage ratio the Company may only borrow $1 for investment purposes for every $1 of investor equity. The Adviser, as our sole initial Shareholder, has approved a proposal that will allow us to reduce our asset coverage ratio to 150% and, in connection with their subscription agreements, our investors are required to acknowledge our ability to operate with an asset coverage ratio that may be as low as 150%. Our target leverage ratio is 0.75–1.25x debt to equity.

 

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In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, the Company would be required to make provisions to prohibit any dividend distribution to its Shareholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless it meets the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the dividend distribution or repurchase. The Company would also be permitted to borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes, which borrowings would not be considered senior securities.

Code of Ethics. The Company and the Adviser have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, respectively, that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the code are permitted to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Company, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements.

Affiliated Transactions. The Company may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from conducting certain transactions with its affiliates without prior approval of the directors who are not interested persons, and in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. The Company expects to rely on exemptive relief that has been granted by the SEC to ORCA and certain of its affiliates, to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, including the Existing BDCs, in a manner consistent with the Company’s investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, the Company generally expects to be permitted to co-invest with certain of its affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of the Board of Directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to the Company and its Shareholders and do not involve overreaching of the Company or its Shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of the Company’s Shareholders and is consistent with its investment objective and strategies, and (3) the investment by its affiliates would not disadvantage the Company, and the Company’s participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which its affiliates are investing. The Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy incorporates the conditions of the exemptive relief and seeks to ensure equitable allocation of investment opportunities between the Company and other funds managed by the Advisers or its affiliates. As a result of exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in the Company’s investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of the Existing BDCs and/or other funds established by the Adviser that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief.

Cancellation of the Investment Advisory Agreement. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate within the meaning of the 1940 Act and related SEC guidance and interpretations in the event of its assignment. In accordance with the 1940 Act, without payment of penalty, the Company may terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser upon 60 days’ written notice. The decision to terminate the agreement may be made by a majority of the Board of Directors or the Shareholders holding a Majority of the Outstanding shares of Common Stock. “Majority of the Outstanding Shares” means the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are present or represented by proxy or (2) a majority of outstanding shares of Common Stock. In addition, without payment of penalty, the Adviser may generally terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice.

Other. We have adopted an investment policy that complies with the requirements applicable to it as a BDC. We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act, and are subject to the periodic reporting and related requirements of the 1934 Act.

We are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to our Shareholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.

We are required to designate a chief compliance officer and to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws and to review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation.

 

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We are not permitted to change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw its election as, a BDC unless approved by a majority of its outstanding voting securities. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (i) 67% or more of such company’s shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company.

We are not generally able to issue and sell Common Stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, issue and sell Common Stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire Common Stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value of Common Stock if (1) the Board of Directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our Shareholders, and (2) our Shareholders have approved our policy and practice of making such sales within the preceding 12 months. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of the Board of Directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities.

We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. With respect to such securities, we may, for the purpose of public resale, be deemed an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act. Our intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies, except that we may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks associated with interest rate or currency fluctuations. However, we may purchase or otherwise receive warrants to purchase the common stock of our portfolio companies in connection with acquisition financing or other investments. Similarly, in connection with an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under certain circumstances. We also do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, except for registered money market funds, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company, or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company. With regard to that portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, if any, it should be noted that such investments might subject Shareholders to additional expenses as they will be indirectly responsible for the costs and expenses of such companies.

We have adopted a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies. This policy may only be changed with 60 days’ prior notice to our Shareholders. None of our investment policies are fundamental, and thus may be changed without Shareholder approval.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Adviser are set forth below. The guidelines will be reviewed periodically by the Adviser and our non-interested directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.

As an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Adviser has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, the Adviser recognizes that it must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of its clients. These policies and procedures for voting proxies for the Adviser’s investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Proxy Policies

The Adviser will vote all proxies relating to our portfolio securities in the best interest of Shareholders. The Adviser reviews on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a shareholder vote to determine its impact on the portfolio securities held by the Company. Although the Adviser will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative impact on its clients’ portfolio securities, the Adviser may vote for such a proposal if there exists compelling long-term reasons to do so. The Adviser will abstain from voting only in unusual circumstances and where there is a compelling reason to do so.

 

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The Adviser’s proxy voting decisions are made by the senior officers who are responsible for monitoring each of its clients’ investments. To ensure that the Adviser’s vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, the Adviser will require that: (a) anyone involved in the decision-making process disclose to the Adviser’s chief compliance officer any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (b) employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how the Adviser intends to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.

Proxy Voting Records

Shareholders may obtain information about how the Adviser voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II, Attention: Chief Compliance Officer, 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

Privacy Policy

We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and security of non-public personal information relating to Shareholders. The following information is provided to help Shareholders understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.

Generally, we will not collect any non-public personal information relating to our Shareholders, other than name, address, and number of shares held by the Shareholder. This information will be used only so that we can service our Shareholder’s account, send annual reports, proxy statements, and other information required by law. With regard to this information, we will maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect the non-public personal information of our Shareholders.

We may share information that we collect regarding a Shareholder with certain of our service providers for legitimate business purposes, for example, in order to process trades or mail information to investors. In addition, we may disclose information that we collect regarding a Shareholder as required by law or in connection with regulatory or law enforcement inquiries.

Available Information and Reporting Obligations

We will furnish Shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. We are filing this Registration Statement with the SEC voluntarily with the intention of establishing the Company as a reporting company under the 1934 Act. Upon the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, we will be required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the 1934 Act.

We will file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, our current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other information about us with the SEC. This information will be available free of charge by contacting us at 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022, or by telephone at (212) 419-3000 or on our website (www.owlrockbdcs.com). The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov, which contains such information.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

The following discussion is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Company and to an investment in the Common Stock. This discussion does not purport to be a complete description of all U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to such an investment. For example, this Registration Statement does not describe tax consequences that the Company has assumed to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including persons who hold the Common Stock as part of a straddle or a hedging, integrated or constructive sale transaction, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, brokers or dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, persons whose functional currency is

 

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not the U.S. dollar, U.S. expatriates, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, personal holding companies, pass-through entities (including partnerships and other entities and arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and beneficial owners of such pass-through entities, persons holding the Common Stock as intermediaries, agents or nominees, persons who acquire an interest in the Company in connection with the performance of services, and financial institutions. This discussion also does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to beneficial owners of the Notes subject to the special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code. Such persons should consult with their own tax advisers as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Company, which may differ substantially from those described herein. This summary assumes that Shareholders hold the Common Stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code).

The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of this Registration Statement and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. The Company has not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding this offering. Prospective investors should be aware that, although the Company intends to adopt positions it believes are in accord with current interpretations of the U.S. federal income tax laws, the IRS may not agree with the tax positions taken by the Company and that, if challenged by the IRS, the Company’s tax positions might not be sustained by the courts. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate, alternative minimum, or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It also does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if the Company invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of Common Stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or of any political subdivision thereof;

 

   

a trust that is subject to the supervision of a court within the U.S. and the control of one or more U.S. persons or that has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person; or

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

A “Non-U.S. Shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Common Stock that is neither a U.S. Shareholder nor a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Any partner of a partnership holding Common Stock should consult its tax advisers with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of such shares.

Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in the Common Stock will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation.

Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company

As soon as practicable, the Company intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year thereafter as a RIC. As a RIC, the Company generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that the Company distributes to the Shareholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, in order to obtain RIC tax benefits, the Company must distribute to its Shareholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of the Company’s “investment company taxable income,” which is generally the Company’s ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”).

 

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If the Company:

 

   

qualifies as a RIC; and

 

   

satisfies the Annual Distribution Requirement,

then the Company will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of the Company’s income it distributes (or is deemed to distribute) to Shareholders. The Company will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gains not distributed (or deemed distributed) to its Shareholders.

The Company will be subject to a 4% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed income unless the Company distributes in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (i) 98% of the Company’s net ordinary income for each calendar year, (ii) 98.2% of the amount by which the Company’s capital gains exceed its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (iii) certain undistributed amounts from previous years on which the Company paid no U.S. federal income tax (the “Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement”). While the Company intends to distribute any income and capital gains in order to avoid imposition of this 4% U.S. federal excise tax, the Company may not be successful in avoiding entirely the imposition of this tax. In that case, the Company will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which the Company does not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company must, among other things:

 

   

qualify as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;

 

   

derive in each taxable year at least 90% of the Company’s gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to loans of certain securities, gains from the sale of stock or other securities or foreign currencies, net income from certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships,” or other income derived with respect to the Company’s business of investing in such stock or securities (the “90% Income Test”); and

 

   

diversify the Company’s holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

 

   

at least 50% of the value of the Company’s assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of the Company’s assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and

 

   

no more than 25% of the value of the Company’s assets is invested in the (i) securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, (ii) securities, other than securities of other RICs, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by the Company and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or (iii) securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (the “Diversification Tests”).

The Company may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which the Company does not receive cash. For example, if the Company holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), the Company must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Company in the same taxable year. The Company may also have to include in income other amounts that it has not yet received in cash, such as PIK interest and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in the Company’s investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, the Company may be required to make a distribution to its Shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though the Company will not have received the corresponding cash amount.

 

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Although the Company does not presently expect to do so, the Company is authorized to borrow funds, to sell assets and to make taxable distributions of the Company’s stock and debt securities in order to satisfy the distribution requirements to maintain its qualification as a RIC. The Company’s ability to dispose of assets to meet its distribution requirements may be limited by (i) the illiquid nature of the Company’s portfolio and/or (ii) other requirements relating to the Company’s status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If the Company disposes of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, the Company may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous. If the Company is unable to obtain cash from other sources to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, the Company may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and become subject to tax as an ordinary corporation.

Under the 1940 Act, the Company is not permitted to make distributions to its Shareholders while its debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. If the Company is prohibited from making distributions, the Company may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and become subject to tax as an ordinary corporation.

Certain of the Company’s investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things: (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions; (ii) convert lower taxed long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income; (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited); (iv) cause the Company to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash; (v) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of securities is deemed to occur; (vi) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions; and (vii) generate income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Income Test described above. The Company will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax decisions in order to mitigate the potential adverse effect of these provisions.

A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, ordinary income plus the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses). If the Company’s expenses in a given year exceed investment company taxable income, the Company would experience a net operating loss for that year. However, a RIC is not permitted to carry forward net operating losses to subsequent years. In addition, expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, not net capital gain. Due to these limits on the deductibility of expenses, the Company may, for tax purposes, have aggregate taxable income for several years that it is required to distribute and that is taxable to its Shareholders even if such income is greater than the aggregate net income it actually earned during those years. Such required distributions may be made from the Company’s cash assets or by liquidation of investments, if necessary. The Company may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event the Company realizes net capital gains from such transactions, a Shareholder may receive a larger capital gain distribution than it would have received in the absence of such transactions.

Investment income received from sources within foreign countries, or capital gains earned by investing in securities of foreign issuers, may be subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. In this regard, withholding tax rates in countries with which the United States does not have a tax treaty can be as high as 35% or more. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries that may entitle us to a reduced rate of or exemption from withholding tax on investment income and gains. The effective rate of foreign tax cannot be determined at this time since the amount of our assets to be invested within various countries is not now known. The Company does not anticipate being eligible for the special election that allows a RIC to treat foreign income taxes paid by such RIC as paid by its stockholders.

If the Company purchases shares in a “passive foreign investment company,” or PFIC, it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Company in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. This additional tax and interest may apply even if the Fund makes a distribution in an amount equal to any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares as a taxable dividend by it to its shareholders. If the Company invests in a PFIC and elects to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code, or QEF, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, it will be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if such income is not distributed to it. Alternatively, the Company can elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year its shares in a PFIC; in this case, it will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent the Company does not exceed prior increases included in income. Under either election, the Company may be required to recognize in a year income in excess of its distributions from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income will nevertheless be subject to the Annual Distribution Requirement and will be taken into account for purposes of the 4% U.S. federal excise tax. The Company intends to limit and/or manage its holdings in PFICs to minimize our liability for any taxes and related interest charges.

 

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If the Company holds more than 10% of the shares in a foreign corporation that is treated as a controlled foreign corporation, or “CFC,” it may be treated as receiving a deemed distribution (taxable as ordinary income) each year from such foreign corporation in an amount equal to its pro rata share of the corporation’s income for the tax year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains), whether or not the corporation makes an actual distribution during such year. This deemed distribution is required to be included in the income of a U.S. Shareholder of a CFC regardless of whether the shareholder has made a QEF election with respect to such CFC. In general, a foreign corporation will be classified as a CFC if more than 50% of the shares of the corporation, measured by reference to combined voting power or value, is owned (directly, indirectly or by attribution) by U.S. Shareholders. A “U.S. Shareholder,” for this purpose, is any U.S. person that possesses (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the combined voting power of all classes of shares of a corporation or 10% or more of the total value of all classes of shares of a corporation. If the Company is treated as receiving a deemed distribution from a CFC, it will be required to include such distribution in its investment company taxable income regardless of whether it receives any actual distributions from such CFC, and it must distribute such income to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement and the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.

Foreign exchange gains and losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Company accrues income, expenses, or other items denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Company actually collects or pays such items that are realized by the Company in connection with certain transactions involving non-dollar debt securities, certain foreign currency futures contracts, foreign currency option contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currencies, or payables or receivables denominated in a foreign currency are subject to Code provisions that generally treat such gains and losses as ordinary income and losses and may affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to its Shareholders. Any such transactions that are not directly related to its investment in securities (possibly including speculative currency positions or currency derivatives not used for hedging purposes) could, under future Treasury regulations, produce income not among the types of “qualifying income” from which a RIC must derive at least 90% of its annual gross income.

In accordance with certain applicable Treasury regulations and guidance published by the IRS, a RIC may treat a distribution of its own stock as fulfilling its RIC distribution requirements if each stockholder may elect to receive his or her entire distribution in either cash or stock of the RIC, subject to a limitation that the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed to all stockholders must be at least 20% of the aggregate declared distribution. If too many stockholders elect to receive cash, the cash available for distribution must be allocated among stockholders electing to receive cash (with the balance of the distribution paid in stock). In no event will any stockholder, electing to receive cash, receive less than the lesser of (a) the portion of the distribution such stockholder elected to receive in cash, or (b) an amount equal to his or her entire distribution times the percentage limitation on cash available for distribution. If these and certain other requirements are met, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the dividend paid in stock will be equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock. The Company has no current intention of paying dividends in shares of its stock in accordance with these Treasury regulations or published guidance.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

While the Company intends to elect to be treated as a RIC as soon as practicable following its election to be a BDC, the Company anticipates that it will have difficulty satisfying the Diversification Tests as it ramps up its portfolio. To the extent that the Company has net taxable income prior to its qualification as RIC, the Company will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such income. The Company would not be able to deduct distributions to Shareholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to the Company’s Shareholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate Shareholders would be eligible to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to such dividend; non-corporate Shareholders would generally be able to treat such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. Distributions in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis, and any remaining

 

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distributions would be treated as a capital gain. In order to qualify as a RIC, in addition to the other requirements discussed above, the Company would be required to distribute all of its previously undistributed earnings and profits attributable to any period prior to the Company becoming a RIC by the end of the first year that it intends to qualify as a RIC. To the extent that the Company has any net built-in gains in its assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if the Company had been liquidated) as of the beginning of the first year that the Company qualifies as a RIC, the Company would be subject to a corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on such built-in gains if and when recognized over the next five years. Alternatively, the Company may choose to recognize such built-in gains immediately prior to its qualification as a RIC.

If the Company has previously qualified as RIC, but was subsequently unable to qualify for treatment as a RIC, and certain amelioration provisions are not applicable, the Company would be subject to tax on all of its taxable income (including its net capital gains) at regular corporate rates. The Company would not be able to deduct distributions to Shareholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to the Company’s Shareholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of its current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate Shareholders would be eligible to claim a dividend received deduction with respect to such dividend; non-corporate Shareholders would generally be able to treat such dividends as “qualified dividend income,” which is subject to reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. Distributions in excess of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. In order to requalify as a RIC, in addition to the other requirements discussed above, the Company would be required to distribute all of its previously undistributed earnings attributable to the period the Company failed to qualify as a RIC by the end of the first year that it intends to requalify as a RIC. If the Company fails to requalify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, it may be subject to tax at the regular corporate tax rate on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if the Company had been liquidated) that the Company elects to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five years.

The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Company qualifies as a RIC for each taxable year.

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

Distributions by the Company generally are taxable to U.S. shareholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of the Company’s “investment company taxable income” (which is, generally, the Company’s net ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. Shareholders to the extent of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional Common Stock. To the extent such distributions paid by the Company to Shareholders taxed at individual rates are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such distributions (“Qualifying Dividends”) may be eligible for a current maximum tax rate of 20%. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by the Company will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 20% maximum rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends. Distributions of the Company’s net capital gains (which are generally the Company’s realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly reported by the Company as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. Shareholder as long-term capital gains that are currently taxable at a maximum rate of 20% in the case of Shareholders taxed at individual rates, regardless of the U.S. shareholder’s holding period for his, her or its Common Stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions in excess of the Company’s earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in such Shareholder’s Common Stock and, after the adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. Shareholder.

The Company may retain some or all of the Company’s realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses, but designate the retained net capital gain as a “deemed distribution.” In that case, among other consequences, the Company will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. Shareholder will be required to include his, her or its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. Shareholder, and the U.S. Shareholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to his, her or its allocable share of the

 

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tax paid thereon by the Company. Because the Company expects to pay tax on any retained capital gains at the Company’s regular corporate tax rate, and because that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by U.S. Shareholders taxed at individual rates on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual U.S. Shareholders will be treated as having paid will exceed the tax they owe on the capital gain distribution and such excess generally may be refunded or claimed as a credit against the U.S. Shareholder’s other U.S. federal income tax obligations. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. Shareholder’s cost basis for his, her or its Common Stock. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, the Company must provide written notice to its Shareholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year.

For purposes of determining (i) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (ii) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, the Company may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If the Company makes such an election, the U.S. Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the Company in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the Company’s U.S. Shareholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

With respect to the reinvestment of dividends, if a U.S. Shareholder owns shares of Common Stock registered in its own name, the U.S. Shareholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock unless the U.S. Shareholder opts out of the reinvestment of dividends by delivering a written notice to the Company’s dividend paying agent prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. Any distributions reinvested will nevertheless remain taxable to the U.S. Shareholder. The U.S. Shareholder will have an adjusted tax basis in the additional shares of Common Stock purchased through the reinvestment equal to the amount of the reinvested distribution. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. Shareholder’s account.

If an investor purchases shares of Common Stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution. However, the Shareholder will be taxed on the distribution as described above, despite the fact that, economically, it may represent a return of his, her or its investment.

A U.S. Shareholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder sells or otherwise disposes of his, her or its shares of Common Stock. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between such U.S. Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock sold and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Shareholder has held his, her or its shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of shares of Common Stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of Common Stock may be disallowed if other shares of Common Stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

In general, U.S. Shareholders taxed at individual rates currently are subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20% on their recognized net capital gain (i.e., the excess of recognized net long-term capital gains over recognized net short-term capital losses, subject to certain adjustments), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in the Company’s shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by such U.S. Shareholders. In addition, individuals with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly) and certain estates and trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on their “net investment income,” which generally includes gross income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents, and net capital gains (other than certain amounts earned from trades or businesses), reduced by certain deductions allocable to such income. Corporate U.S. shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 21% rate also applied to ordinary income. Non-corporate U.S. Shareholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year. Any net capital losses of a non-corporate U.S. Shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. Shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year, but may carry back such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

 

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Under applicable Treasury regulations, if a U.S. Shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of $2 million or more for a non-corporate U.S. Shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. Shareholder in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the U.S. Shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct U.S. Shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, U.S. Shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to U.S. Shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. U.S. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

The Company (or the applicable withholding agent) will send to each of its U.S. Shareholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice reporting the amounts includible in such U.S. Shareholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of dividends, if any, eligible for the 20% maximum rate). Dividends paid by the Company generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because the Company’s income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. Shareholder’s particular situation.

The Company may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) from all distributions to certain U.S. Shareholders (i) who fail to furnish the Company with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such Shareholder is exempt from backup withholding or (ii) with respect to whom the IRS notifies the Company that such Shareholder furnished an incorrect taxpayer identification number or failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number generally is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. Shareholder’s federal income tax liability, provided that proper information is provided to the IRS.

If the Company is not a “publicly offered regulated investment company” for any period, a non-corporate U.S. stockholder’s pro rata portion of the Company’s affected expenses, including its management fees, will be treated as an additional dividend to the Shareholder and will not be deductible for non-corporate U.S. taxpayers for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, these expenses will be deductible to non-corporate U.S. taxpayers only to the extent they exceed 2% of such a Shareholder’s adjusted gross income. A “publicly offered regulated investment company” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. The Company anticipates that it will not qualify as a publicly offered RIC immediately after the Private Offering; the Company may qualify as a publicly offered RIC for future taxable years.

A U.S. Shareholder that is a tax-exempt organization for U.S. federal income tax purposes and therefore generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation may nevertheless be subject to taxation to the extent that it is considered to derive unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). The direct conduct by a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder of the activities the Company proposes to conduct could give rise to UBTI. However, a BDC is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its business activities generally will not be attributed to its Shareholders for purposes of determining their treatment under current law. Therefore, a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder generally should not be subject to U.S. taxation solely as a result of the Shareholder’s ownership of Common Stock and receipt of dividends with respect to such Common Stock. Moreover, under current law, if the Company incurs indebtedness, such indebtedness will not be attributed to a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder. Therefore, a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder should not be treated as earning income from “debt-financed property” and dividends the Company pays should not be treated as “unrelated debt-financed income” solely as a result of indebtedness that the Company incurs. Legislation has been introduced in Congress in the past, and may be introduced again in the future, which would change the treatment of “blocker” investment vehicles interposed between tax-exempt investors and

 

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non-qualifying investments if enacted. In the event that any such proposals were to be adopted and applied to BDCs, the treatment of dividends payable to tax-exempt investors could be adversely affected. In addition, special rules would apply if the Company were to invest in certain real estate mortgage investment conduits, which the Company does not currently plan to do, that could result in a tax-exempt U.S. Shareholder recognizing income that would be treated as UBTI.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

The following discussion only applies to certain Non-U.S. Shareholders. Whether an investment in the shares is appropriate for a Non-U.S. Shareholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in the shares by a Non-U.S. Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers before investing in the Common Stock. The following discussion does not apply to Non-U.S. Stockholders that are engaged in a U.S. trade or business or hold their shares in connection with a U.S. trade or business. Such Non-U.S. Stockholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the consequences to them of investing in our Common Stock.

Distributions of the Company’s “investment company taxable income” to Non-U.S. Shareholders (including interest income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized long-term capital losses) will be subject to withholding of federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits unless an applicable exception applies. Subject to the discussions regarding backup withholding and FATCA (defined below) below, no withholding generally is required with respect to certain distributions if (i) the distributions are properly reported as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” (ii) the distributions are derived from sources specified in the Code for such dividends and (iii) certain other requirements are satisfied. No assurance can be provided as to whether any of the Company’s distributions will be reported as eligible for this exemption. (Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisers.)

Actual or deemed distributions of the Company’s net capital gains to a Non-U.S. Shareholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. Shareholder upon the sale of Common Stock, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder.

Under the Company’s reinvestment of dividends policy, if a Non-U.S. Shareholder owns shares of Common Stock registered in its own name, the Non-U.S. Shareholder will have all cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock unless it opts out of the reinvestment of dividends by delivering a written notice to the Company’s dividend paying agent prior to the record date of the next dividend or distribution. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business – Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” If the distribution is a distribution of the Company’s investment company taxable income, is not designated by the Company as a short-term capital gains dividend or interest-related dividend and it is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Shareholder (or, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is not attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Shareholder), the amount distributed (to the extent of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits) will be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) and only the net after-tax amount will be reinvested in Common Stock. The Non-U.S. Shareholder will have an adjusted tax basis in the additional common shares purchased through the reinvestment equal to the amount reinvested. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s account.

The tax consequences to Non-U.S. Shareholders entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty or that are individuals that are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during a taxable year may be different from those described herein. Non-U.S. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers with respect to the procedure for claiming the benefit of a lower treaty rate and the applicability of foreign taxes.

If the Company distributes the Company’s net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a Non-U.S. Shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the Shareholder’s allocable share of the tax the Company pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the Non-U.S. Shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a refund claim even if the Non-U.S. Shareholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return.

 

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The Company must generally report to its Non-U.S. Shareholders and the IRS the amount of dividends paid during each calendar year and the amount of any tax withheld. Information reporting requirements may apply even if no withholding was required because the distributions were effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Shareholder’s conduct of a United States trade or business or withholding was reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty. This information also may be made available under a specific treaty or agreement with the tax authorities in the country in which the Non-U.S. Shareholder resides or is established. Under U.S. federal income tax law, interest, dividends and other reportable payments may, under certain circumstances, be subject to “backup withholding” at the then applicable rate (currently 24%). Backup withholding, however, generally will not apply to distributions to a Non-U.S. Shareholder of Common Stock, provided the Non-U.S. Shareholder furnishes to the Company the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or certain other requirements are met. Backup withholding is not an additional tax but can be credited against a Non-U.S. Shareholder’s federal income tax, and may be refunded to the extent it results in an overpayment of tax and the appropriate information is timely supplied to the IRS.

Legislation commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” or “FATCA,” generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on payments of certain types of income to foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) unless such FFIs either (i) enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to report certain required information with respect to accounts held by U.S. persons (or held by foreign entities that have U.S. persons as substantial owners) or (ii) reside in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) with the United States to collect and share such information and are in compliance with the terms of such IGA and any enabling legislation or regulations. The types of income subject to the tax include U.S. source interest and dividends. While the Code would also require withholding on payments of the gross proceeds from the sale of any property that could produce U.S. source interest or dividends, the U.S. Treasury Department has indicated its intent to eliminate this requirement in subsequent proposed regulations, which state that taxpayers may rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued. The information required to be reported includes the identity and taxpayer identification number of each account holder that is a U.S. person and certain transaction activity within the holder’s account. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, this legislation also imposes a 30% withholding on certain payments to certain foreign entities that are not financial institutions unless the foreign entity certifies that it does not have a greater than 10% U.S. owner or provides the withholding agent with identifying information on each greater than 10% U.S. owner. Depending on the status of a Non-U.S. Shareholder and the status of the intermediaries through which they hold their shares, Non-U.S. Shareholders could be subject to this 30% withholding tax with respect to distributions on their shares and proceeds from the sale of their shares. Under certain circumstances, a Non-U.S. Shareholder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

Non-U.S. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the shares.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investments in the Company involve a high degree of risk. There can be no assurance that our investment objectives will be achieved, or that a Shareholder will receive a return of its capital. In addition, there will be occasions when the Adviser and its affiliates may encounter potential conflicts of interest in connection with us. The following considerations should be carefully evaluated before making an investment in the Company.

An investment in our securities involves risks. The following is a summary of the principal risks that you should carefully consider before investing in our securities.

We are subject to risks related to the economy.

 

   

Political, social and economic uncertainty, including uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, creates and exacerbates risks.

 

   

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused severe disruptions in the U.S. economy and has disrupted financial activity in the areas in which we or our portfolio companies operate.

 

   

Price declines in the corporate leveraged loan market, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation and the incurrence of realized losses.

 

   

Economic recessions or downturns, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

We are subject to risks related to our business.

 

   

We have no operating history.

 

   

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

 

   

Defaults under our current borrowings or any future borrowing facility or notes may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

   

To the extent that we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us will be magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us. Borrowed money may also adversely affect the return on our assets, reduce cash available to service our debt or for distribution to our shareholders, and result in losses.

 

   

Because we have received the approval of our sole initial shareholder, we are subject to 150% Asset Coverage.

 

   

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Adviser’s ability to manage and support our investment process. If our Adviser were to lose a significant number of its key professionals, or terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.

 

   

Because our business model depends to a significant extent upon the Adviser’s relationships with corporations, financial institutions and investment firms, the inability of our Adviser to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

 

   

We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay further deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.

 

   

Our investment portfolio will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by our Board and, as a result, there is and will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

 

   

Our Board may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse to our shareholders.

 

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Our status as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act may make it more difficult to raise capital as and when we need it.

 

   

The interest rates of our term loans to our portfolio companies that extend beyond 2021 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes, including the decommissioning of LIBOR.

We are subject to risks related to our Adviser and its affiliates.

 

   

The Adviser and its affiliates, including our officers and some of our directors, may face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us and our affiliates, which could result in increased risk-taking by us.

 

   

Our fee structure may create incentives for our Adviser to make speculative investments or use substantial leverage.

 

   

We may compete for capital and investment opportunities with other entities managed by our Adviser or its affiliates, subjecting our Adviser to certain conflicts of interest.

 

   

We may be obligated to pay our Adviser incentive fees even if we incur a net loss due to a decline in the value of our portfolio and even if our earned interest income is not payable in cash.

 

   

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.

We are subject to risks related to business development companies.

 

   

The requirement that we invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could preclude us from investing in accordance with our current business strategy; conversely, the failure to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could result in our failure to maintain our status as a BDC.

 

   

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise capital and the way in which we raise additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including risks associated with leverage.

We are subject to risks related to our investments.

 

   

Our investment strategy focuses on technology companies, which are subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs and periodic downturns.

 

   

Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investments.

 

   

Defaults by our portfolio companies could jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity investments that we hold which could harm our operating results.

 

   

Subordinated liens on collateral securing debt investments that we may make to portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

 

   

We generally will not control the business operations of our portfolio companies and, due to the illiquid nature of our holdings in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interest in our portfolio companies.

 

   

We will be exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

 

   

International investments create additional risks.

We are subject to risks related to U.S. federal income tax.

 

   

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify for and maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or if we make investments through taxable subsidiaries.

 

   

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

 

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Risks Related to the Economy

Political, social and economic uncertainty, including uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, creates and exacerbates risks.

Social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) will occur that create uncertainty and have significant impacts on issuers, industries, governments and other systems, including the financial markets, to which companies and their investments are exposed. As global systems, economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, events that once had only local impact are now more likely to have regional or even global effects. Events that occur in one country, region or financial market will, more frequently, adversely impact issuers in other countries, regions or markets, including in established markets such as the U.S. These impacts can be exacerbated by failures of governments and societies to adequately respond to an emerging event or threat.

Uncertainty can result in or coincide with, among other things: increased volatility in the financial markets for securities, derivatives, loans, credit and currency; a decrease in the reliability of market prices and difficulty in valuing assets (including portfolio company assets); greater fluctuations in spreads on debt investments and currency exchange rates; increased risk of default (by both government and private obligors and issuers); further social, economic, and political instability; nationalization of private enterprise; greater governmental involvement in the economy or in social factors that impact the economy; changes to governmental regulation and supervision of the loan, securities, derivatives and currency markets and market participants and decreased or revised monitoring of such markets by governments or self-regulatory organizations and reduced enforcement of regulations; limitations on the activities of investors in such markets; controls or restrictions on foreign investment, capital controls and limitations on repatriation of invested capital; the significant loss of liquidity and the inability to purchase, sell and otherwise fund investments or settle transactions (including, but not limited to, a market freeze); unavailability of currency hedging techniques; substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation, which can last many years and have substantial negative effects on credit and securities markets as well as the economy as a whole; recessions; and difficulties in obtaining and/or enforcing legal judgments.

For example, in December 2019, COVID-19 emerged in China and has since spread rapidly to other countries, including the United States.

General uncertainty surrounding the dangers and impact of COVID-19 (including the preventative measures taken in response thereto) and additional uncertainty regarding new variants of COVID-19, most notably the Delta variant, has to date created significant disruption in supply chains and economic activity, contributed to labor shortages and are having a particularly adverse impact on transportation, hospitality, tourism, entertainment and other industries, including industries in which certain of our portfolio companies operate which has in turn created significant business disruption issues for certain of our portfolio companies, and materially and adversely impacted the value and performance of certain of our portfolio companies.

In addition, disruptions in the capital markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity would be expected to have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be expected to increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and have a material negative impact on our and our prospective portfolio companies’ operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.

The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing as of the date of this Registration Statement, and its extended duration may have further adverse impacts on our prospective portfolio companies, including for the reasons described herein.

Any public health emergency, including the COVID-19 pandemic or any outbreak of other existing or new epidemic diseases, or the threat thereof, and the resulting financial and economic market uncertainty could have a significant adverse impact on us and the fair value of our investments and our prospective portfolio companies.

 

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The extent of the impact of any public health emergency, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on our and our portfolio companies’ operational and financial performance will depend on many factors, including the duration and scope of such public health emergency, the actions taken by governmental authorities to contain its financial and economic impact, the extent of any related travel advisories and restrictions implemented, the impact of such public health emergency on overall supply and demand, goods and services, investor liquidity, consumer confidence and levels of economic activity and the extent of its disruption to important global, regional and local supply chains and economic markets, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. In addition, our and our portfolio companies’ operations may be significantly impacted, or even temporarily or permanently halted, as a result of government quarantine measures, voluntary and precautionary restrictions on travel or meetings and other factors related to a public health emergency, including its potential adverse impact on the health of any of our or our portfolio companies’ personnel. This could create widespread business continuity issues for us and our prospective portfolio companies.

These factors may also cause the valuation of our investments to differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. Valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and are often based on estimates, comparisons and qualitative evaluations of private information.

The capital markets are currently in a period of disruption and economic uncertainty. Such market conditions have materially and adversely affected debt and equity capital markets may have a negative impact on our business and operations.

The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the global outbreak of COVID-19 that began in December 2019, as evidenced by the volatility in global stock markets as a result of, among other things, uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the fluctuating price of commodities such as oil. Despite actions of the U.S. federal government and foreign governments, these events have contributed to unpredictable general economic conditions that are materially and adversely impacting the broader financial and credit markets and reducing the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole. These conditions could continue for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future.

Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business. The extent of such impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain, including when the coronavirus can be controlled and abated and whether there will be additional economic shutdowns. As the result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related adverse local and national economic consequences, we could be subject to any of the following risks, any of which could have a material, adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations:

 

   

Significant changes or volatility in the capital markets may also have a negative effect on the valuations of our prospective investments. While we expect that most of our investments will not be publicly traded, applicable accounting standards will require us to assume as part of our valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity).

 

   

Significant changes in the capital markets, such as the recent disruption in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely affect the pace of our investment activity and economic activity generally. Additionally, the recent disruption in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative effect on the potential for liquidity events involving our prospective investments. The illiquidity of our prospective investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments to access capital if required, and as a result, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we will record our investments if we were required to sell them for liquidity purposes. An inability to raise or access capital, and any required sale of all or a portion of our investments as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The current period of capital markets disruption and economic uncertainty may make it difficult to obtain indebtedness and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Current market conditions may make it difficult to obtain indebtedness and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. The debt capital that will be available to us in the future, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than what we currently expect to experience, including being at a higher cost in rising rate environments. If we are unable to raise debt, then our equity investors may not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity resulting from leverage and we may be limited in our ability to make commitments. An inability to obtain indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Price declines in the corporate leveraged loan market, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation and the incurrence of realized losses.

Conditions in the U.S. corporate debt market may experience disruption or deterioration, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may cause pricing levels to decline or be volatile. As a result, our net asset value could decline through an increase in unrealized depreciation and incurrence of realized losses in connection with the sale or other disposition of our investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Global economic, political and market conditions, including uncertainty about the financial stability of the United States, could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Downgrades by rating agencies to the U.S. government’s credit rating or concerns about its credit and deficit levels in general could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with our debt portfolio and our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. In addition, a decreased U.S. government credit rating could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on our financial performance and the value of our common stock.

Deterioration in the economic conditions in the Eurozone and globally, including instability in financial markets, may pose a risk to our business. In recent years, financial markets have been affected at times by a number of global macroeconomic and political events, including the following: large sovereign debts and fiscal deficits of several countries in Europe and in emerging markets jurisdictions, levels of non-performing loans on the balance sheets of European banks, the potential effect of any European country leaving the Eurozone, the effect of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union (the “EU”), and market volatility and loss of investor confidence driven by political events. The decision made in the United Kingdom to leave the EU has led to volatility in global financial markets and may lead to weakening in consumer, corporate and financial confidence in the United Kingdom and Europe. Market and economic disruptions have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. We cannot assure you that market disruptions in Europe, including the increased cost of funding for certain governments and financial institutions, will not impact the global economy, and we cannot assure you that assistance packages will be available, or if available, be sufficient to stabilize countries and markets in Europe or elsewhere affected by a financial crisis. To the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe negatively impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.

The Chinese capital markets have also experienced periods of instability over the past several years. The current political climate has also intensified concerns about a potential trade war between the U.S. and China in connection with each country’s recent or proposed tariffs on the other country’s products. These market and economic disruptions and the potential trade war with China have affected, and may in the future affect, the U.S. capital markets, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The current global financial market situation, as well as various social and political circumstances in the U.S. and around the world (including wars and other forms of conflict, terrorist acts, security operations and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and global health epidemics), may contribute to increased market volatility and economic uncertainties or deterioration in the U.S. and worldwide, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additionally, these market and economic disruptions could cause interest rates to be volatile, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt and capital markets on favorable terms. See “— Political, social and economic uncertainty, including uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic, creates and exacerbates risks.

 

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Economic recessions or downturns, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

The companies in which we intend to invest may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our debt investments during these periods. The global outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted economic markets and the prolonged economic impact is uncertain. Some economists and major investment banks have expressed concern that the continued spread of the virus globally could lead to a world-wide economic downturn. In the past, instability in the global capital markets resulted in disruptions in liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market and the failure of major domestic and international financial institutions. In particular, in past periods of instability, the financial services sector was negatively impacted by significant write-offs as the value of the assets held by financial firms declined, impairing their capital positions and abilities to lend and invest. In addition, continued uncertainty surrounding the negotiation of trade deals between Britain and the European Union following the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union and uncertainty between the United States and other countries, including China, with respect to trade policies, treaties, and tariffs, among other factors, have caused disruption in the global markets. There can be no assurance that market conditions will not worsen in the future.

In an economic downturn, we may have non-performing assets or non-performing assets may increase, and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of any collateral securing our loans. A severe recession may further decrease the value of such collateral and result in losses of value in our portfolio and a decrease in our revenues, net income, assets and net worth. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us on terms we deem acceptable. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.

The occurrence of recessionary conditions and/or negative developments in the domestic and international credit markets may significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the value of our investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability. Any such unfavorable economic conditions, including rising interest rates, may also increase our funding costs, limit our access to capital markets or negatively impact our ability to obtain financing, particularly from the debt markets. In addition, any future financial market uncertainty could lead to financial market disruptions and could further impact our ability to obtain financing. These events could limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.

Terrorist attacks, acts of war, global health emergencies or natural disasters may impact the businesses in which we invest and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Terrorist acts, acts of war, global health emergencies or natural disasters may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. Future terrorist activities, military or security operations, global health emergencies or natural disasters could further weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may negatively impact the businesses in which we invest directly or indirectly and, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Losses from terrorist attacks, global health emergencies and natural disasters are generally uninsurable.

Risks Related to Our Business

We have no operating history.

We are a new entity with no operating history and we have no financial information on which a prospective investor can evaluate an investment in us or our prior performance. As a result, we are subject to the business risks and uncertainties associated with recently formed businesses, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and the value of a Shareholder’s investment could decline substantially or become worthless. While we believe that the past professional experiences, including investment and financial experience of the investment team will increase the likelihood that the Adviser will be able to manage us successfully, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

We may acquire a significant percentage of our portfolio company investments from privately held companies in directly negotiated transactions. We expect that substantially all of these investments will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise will be less liquid than exchange-listed securities or other securities for which there is an active trading market. We typically will be unable to exit these investments unless and until the portfolio company has a liquidity event such as a sale, refinancing, or initial public offering.

 

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The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult or impossible for us to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded our investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Moreover, investments purchased by us that are liquid at the time of purchase may subsequently become illiquid due to events relating to the issuer, market events, economic conditions or investor perceptions.

We may borrow money, which may magnify the potential for gain or loss and may increase the risk of investing in us.

As part of our business strategy, we may borrow from and issue senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders or investors. Holders of these senior securities will have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our Shareholders. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage would cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have if we did not employ leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make common stock dividend payments.

Our ability to service any borrowings that we incur will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. Moreover, the management fee will be payable based on our average gross assets excluding cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts, which may give the Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. See “— Our fee structure may create incentives for the Adviser to make speculative investments or use substantial leverage.” The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on the Adviser’s and the Board of Directors’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us, which could affect our return on capital.

In addition to having fixed-dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common shareholders, obligations to lenders may be secured by a first priority security interest in our portfolio of investments and cash.

To the extent that we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us will be magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us. Borrowed money may also adversely affect the return on our assets, reduce cash available to service our debt or for distribution to our Shareholders, and result in losses.

The use of borrowings, also known as leverage, increases the volatility of investments by magnifying the potential for gain or loss on invested equity capital. To the extent that we use leverage to partially finance our investments through borrowing from banks and other lenders, you will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage would cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would if we had not borrowed and employed leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have if we had not borrowed and employed leverage. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to service our debt or make distributions to our Shareholders. In addition, our Shareholders will bear the burden of any increase in our expenses as a result of our use of leverage, including interest expenses and any increase in the base management or incentive fees payable to the Adviser attributable to the increase in assets purchased using leverage.

The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on the Adviser’s and the Board of Directors’ assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. There can be no assurance that leveraged financing will be available to us on favorable terms or at all. However, to the extent that we use leverage to finance our assets, our financing costs will reduce cash available for distributions to shareholders. Moreover, we may not be able to meet our financing obligations and, to the extent that we cannot, we risk the loss of some or all of our assets to liquidation or sale to satisfy the obligations. In such an event, we may be forced to sell assets at significantly depressed prices due to market conditions or otherwise, which may result in losses.

A BDC generally is required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of its borrowings and any preferred stock that it may issue in the future, of at least 200%; however, certain provisions of the 1940 Act allow a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met.

 

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The Adviser, as our sole initial shareholder, approved a proposal that allows us to reduce our asset coverage ratio to 150% and, in connection with their subscription agreements, our investors are required to acknowledge our ability to operate with an asset coverage ratio that may be as low as 150%. For additional information about the asset coverage requirements, see “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company—Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio” If this ratio declines 150%, we cannot incur additional debt and could be required to sell a portion of our investments to repay some indebtedness when it is disadvantageous to do so. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to service our debt or make distributions.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on the Adviser’s ability to manage and support our investment process. If the Adviser were to lose a significant number of its key professionals, or terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.

We do not have any employees. Additionally, we have no internal management capacity other than our appointed executive officers and will be dependent upon the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the Adviser to achieve our investment objective. The Adviser will evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute, monitor, and service our investments. Our success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the Adviser, including its key professionals. The departure of a significant number of key professionals from the Adviser could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective. The Adviser does not have an employment agreement with any of these key professionals and we cannot guarantee that all, or any particular one, will remain affiliated with us and/or the Adviser. Further, we do not intend to separately maintain key person life insurance on any of these individuals.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective also depends on the ability of the Adviser to identify, analyze, invest in, finance, and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. The Adviser’s capabilities in structuring the investment process, and providing competent, attentive and efficient services to us, depend on the involvement of investment professionals of adequate number and sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve our investment objective, the Adviser may need to retain, hire, train, supervise, and manage new investment professionals to participate in our investment selection and monitoring process. The Adviser may not be able to find qualified investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the Investment Advisory Agreement will have a termination provision that allows the agreement to be terminated by us on 60 days’ notice without penalty by the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock or by the vote of our independent directors. The Investment Advisory Agreement generally may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by the Adviser upon 120 days’ notice to us. Furthermore, the Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Adviser. If the Adviser resigns or is terminated, or if we do not obtain the requisite approvals of shareholders and the Board of Directors to approve an agreement with the Adviser after an assignment, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms prior to the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption and costs under any new agreements that we enter into could increase.

Our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to meet our payment obligations under our indebtedness future indebtedness, if any, and pay distributions, are likely to be adversely affected, and the value of our common stock may decline.

Distributions on our common stock may exceed our taxable earnings and profits, particularly during the period before we have substantially invested the net proceeds from our public offering. Therefore, portions of the distributions that we pay may represent a return of capital to you. A return of capital is a return of a portion of your original investment in shares of our common stock. As a result, a return of capital will (i) lower your tax basis in your shares and thereby increase the amount of capital gain (or decrease the amount of capital loss) realized upon a subsequent sale or redemption of such shares, and (ii) reduce the amount of funds we have for investment in portfolio companies. We have not established any limit on the extent to which we may use sources other than cash flows from operations to fund distributions.

 

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We may pay our distributions from sources other than cash flows from operations in anticipation of future cash flow, which may constitute a return of your capital and will lower your tax basis in your shares, thereby increasing the amount of capital gain (or decreasing the amount of capital loss) realized upon a subsequent sale or redemption of such shares, even if such shares have not increased in value or have, in fact, lost value. Distributions from sources other than cash flows from operations also could reduce the amount of capital we ultimately have available to invest in portfolio companies.

Because our business model depends to a significant extent upon Blue Owl’s relationships with corporations, financial institutions and investment firms, the inability of Blue Owl to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.

We expect that Blue Owl will depend on its relationships with corporations, financial institutions and investment firms, and we will rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If Blue Owl fails to maintain its existing relationships or develop new relationships or sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom Blue Owl has relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us.

We may have difficulty sourcing investment opportunities.

We have not identified the potential investments for our portfolio that we will acquire after breaking escrow. We cannot assure investors that we will be able to locate a sufficient number of suitable investment opportunities to allow us to deploy all investments successfully. In addition, privately-negotiated investments in loans and illiquid securities of private middle market companies require substantial due diligence and structuring, and we cannot assure investors that we will achieve our anticipated investment pace. As a result, investors will be unable to evaluate any future portfolio company investments prior to purchasing our shares. Additionally, the Adviser will select our investments subsequent to this offering, and our Shareholders will have no input with respect to such investment decisions. These factors increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in our shares. To the extent we are unable to deploy all investments, our investment income and, in turn, our results of operations, will likely be materially adversely affected.

We may face increasing competition for investment opportunities, which could delay further deployment of our capital, reduce returns and result in losses.

We may compete for investments with other BDCs and investment funds (including registered investment companies, private equity funds and mezzanine funds), including the Owl Rock BDCs and other clients of the Adviser or its affiliates, as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. These other BDCs and investment funds might be reasonable investment alternatives to us and may be less costly or complex with fewer or different risks than we have. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, continue to increase their investment focus in our target market of privately owned U.S. companies. We may experience increased competition from banks and investment vehicles who may continue to lend to the middle market. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Reserve and other bank regulators may periodically provide incentives to U.S. commercial banks to originate more loans to U.S. middle market private companies. As a result of these market participants and regulatory incentives, competition for investment opportunities in privately owned U.S. companies is strong and may intensify. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than us. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we are able to do.

We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms, and investment structure criteria. If we are forced to match these competitors’ investment terms criteria, we may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on our investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in our target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements we must satisfy to maintain our RIC tax treatment. The competitive pressures we face, and the manner in which we react or adjust to competitive pressures, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, effective yield on investments, investment returns, leverage ratio, and cash flows. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time. Also we may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

 

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Our investment portfolio will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors and, as a result, there is and will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.

Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors. There is not a public market or active secondary market for many of the types of investments in privately held companies that we intend to make. The majority of our investments may not be publicly traded or actively traded on a secondary market but, instead, may be traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors, if at all. As a result, we will value a majority of these investments at least quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with valuation policy and procedures approved by the Board of Directors.

The determination of fair value, and thus the amount of unrealized appreciation or depreciation we may recognize in any reporting period, is to a degree subjective, and the Adviser has a conflict of interest in making recommendations of fair value. We will value our investments at least quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors based on, among other things, input from the Adviser and our Audit Committee. Our board of directors will utilize the services of an independent third-party valuation firm(s), engaged at the direction of the Board of Directors, to aid us in determining the fair value of our investments. The types of factors that may be considered in determining the fair values of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow, current market interest rates and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, the valuations may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time due to changes in current market conditions. The determinations of fair value in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active market and market quotations existed for such investments. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of the investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.

Our board of directors may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse to our Shareholders.

We intend to adopt a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies. Other than with respect to this policy, the Board of Directors has the authority to modify or waive current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without shareholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, net asset value, operating results and the value of our securities. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay you distributions and cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Moreover, we will have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds of this offering and may use the net proceeds from this offering in ways with which our investors may not agree.

Any unrealized depreciation we experience on our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Directors.

Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments relative to amortized cost will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected loans. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods. In addition, decreases in the market value or fair value of our investments will reduce our net asset value. See “Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters — Valuation of Portfolio Securities.

 

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We are not limited with respect to the portion of our assets that may be invested in a single issuer.

Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our intended qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification. We intend to adopt a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies. To the extent that we hold large positions in a small number of issuers, or within a particular industry, our net asset value may fluctuate as a result of changes in the issuer’s financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence or a downturn in particular industry in which we may invest significantly than a diversified investment company otherwise would be.

We are an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our securities less attractive to investors.

We are and we will remain an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act until the earlier of (a) the last day of the fiscal year (i) following the fifth anniversary of the completion of the initial offering of common equity securities, (ii) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, or (iii) in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our Common Stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the prior June 30th, and (b) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. For so long as we remain an “emerging growth company” we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We cannot predict if investors will find our securities less attractive because we will rely on some or all of these exemptions.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the 1933 Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We intend to take advantage of such extended transition periods.

Our status as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act may make it more difficult to raise capital as and when we need it.

Because of the exemptions from various reporting requirements provided to us as an “emerging growth company” and because we will have an extended transition period for complying with new or revised financial accounting standards, we may be less attractive to investors and it may be difficult for us to raise additional capital as and when we need it. Investors may be unable to compare our business with other companies in our industry if they believe that our financial accounting is not as transparent as other companies in our industry. If we are unable to raise additional capital as and when we need it, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.

We are dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

Our business is dependent on our and third parties’ communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of those systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, portfolio monitoring, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control. There could be:

 

   

sudden electrical or telecommunications outages;

 

   

natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes;

 

   

disease pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts;

 

   

outages due to idiosyncratic issues at specific service providers; and

 

   

cyber-attacks.

These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the net asset value of our common stock and our ability to pay distributions to our Shareholders.

 

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The term loans that we intend to make may be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes.

The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is the basic rate of interest used in lending transactions between banks on the London interbank market and is widely used as a reference for setting the interest rate on loans globally. We generally expect to use LIBOR as a reference rate in term loans that we anticipate extending to portfolio companies such that the interest due to us pursuant to a term loan extended to a portfolio company will be calculated using LIBOR. The terms of our debt investments generally will include minimum interest rate floors which are calculated based on LIBOR.

On March 5, 2021, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that it will not compel panel banks to contribute to the overnight and 1, 3, 6, and 12 month USD LIBOR tenors after June 30, 2023 and all other tenors after December 31, 2021. It is unclear if at that time LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. Central banks and regulators in a number of major jurisdictions (for example, United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Switzerland and Japan) have convened working groups to find, and implement the transition to, suitable replacements for interbank offered rates (“IBORs”). In addition, on March 25, 2020, the FCA stated that although the central assumption that firms cannot rely on LIBOR being published after the end of 2021 has not changed, the outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted the timing of many firms’ transition planning, and the FCA will continue to assess the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on transition timelines and update the marketplace as soon as possible.

To identify a successor rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”), a U.S.-based group convened by the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was formed. The ARRC has identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. SOFR is a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on directly observable U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase transactions.

On July 29, 2021, the ARCC formally recommended SOFR as its preferred alternative replacement rate for LIBOR. Although SOFR appears to be the preferred replacement rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR, at this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of any such changes, any establishment of alternative reference rates or other reforms to LIBOR that may be enacted in the United States, United Kingdom or elsewhere or, whether the COVID-19 outbreak will have further effect on LIBOR transition plans.

The elimination of LIBOR or any other changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR could have an adverse impact on the market value and/or transferability of any LIBOR-linked securities, loans, and other financial obligations or extensions of credit held by or due to us or on our overall financial condition or results of operations.

Risks Related to the Adviser and Its Affiliates

The Adviser and its affiliates, including our officers and some of our directors, may face conflicts of interest caused by compensation arrangements with us and our affiliates, which could result in increased risk-taking by us.

The Adviser and its affiliates will receive substantial fees from us in return for their services, including certain incentive fees based on the amount of appreciation of our investments. These fees could influence the advice provided to us. Generally, the more equity we sell in public offerings and the greater the risk assumed by us with respect to our investments, including through the use of leverage, the greater the potential for growth in our assets and profits, and, correlatively, the fees payable by us to the Adviser. These compensation arrangements could affect the Adviser’s or its affiliates’ judgment with respect to public offerings of equity and investments made by us, which allow the Adviser or its affiliates to earn increased fees.

The time and resources that individuals associated with the Adviser devote to us may be diverted, and we may face additional competition due to, among other things, the fact that neither the Adviser nor its affiliates is prohibited from raising money for or managing another entity that makes the same types of investments that we target.

Blue Owl is not prohibited from raising money for and managing future investment entities, in addition to the Blue Owl Clients, that make the same or similar types of investments as those we target. As a result, the time and resources that the Adviser devotes to us may be diverted, and during times of intense activity in other investment

 

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programs they may devote less time and resources to our business than is necessary or appropriate. In addition, we may compete with any such investment entity also managed by the Adviser or its affiliates for the same investors and investment opportunities. Furthermore, certain members of the Investment Committee are officers of Blue Owl and will devote a portion of their time to the operations of Blue Owl, including with respect to public company compliance, investor relations and other matters that did not apply to Owl Rock prior to the formation of Blue Owl.

The Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts of interest with respect to services performed for issuers in which we may invest.

The Adviser and its affiliates may provide a broad range of financial services to companies in which we may invest, including providing arrangement, syndication, origination structuring and other services to portfolio companies, and will generally be paid fees for such services, in compliance with applicable law, by the portfolio company. Any compensation received by the Adviser or its affiliates for providing these services will not be shared with us and may be received before we realize a return on our investment. In addition, we may invest in companies managed by entities in which Dyal Clients have acquired a minority interest. The Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts of interest with respect to services performed for these companies, on the one hand, and investments recommended to us, on the other hand and could, in certain instances, have an incentive not to pursue actions against a portfolio company that would be in our best interest.

The Adviser or its affiliates may have incentives to favor their respective other accounts and clients and/or Blue Owl over us, which may result in conflicts of interest that could be harmful to us.

Because the Adviser and its affiliates manage assets for, or may in the future manage assets for, other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans, co-invest vehicles and certain high net worth individuals), certain conflicts of interest are present. For instance, the Adviser and its affiliates may receive asset management performance-based, or other fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fees received by the Adviser from us. In addition, certain members of the Investment Committee and other executives and employees of the Adviser will hold and receive interests in Blue Owl and its affiliates, in addition to cash and carried interest compensation. In these instances, a portfolio manager for the Adviser may have an incentive to favor the higher fee and/or performance-based fee accounts over us and/or to favor Blue Owl. In addition, a conflict of interest exists to the extent the Adviser, its affiliates, or any of their respective executives, portfolio managers or employees have proprietary or personal investments in other investment companies or accounts or when certain other investment companies or accounts are investment options in the Adviser’s or its affiliates’ employee benefit plans. In these circumstances, the Adviser has an incentive to favor these other investment companies or accounts over us. Our board of directors will seek to monitor these conflicts but there can be no assurances that such monitoring will fully mitigate any such conflicts.

Our fee structure may create incentives for the Adviser to make speculative investments or use substantial leverage.

The incentive fee payable by us to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangements. The way in which the incentive fee is determined may encourage the Adviser to use leverage to increase the leveraged return on our investment portfolio.

In addition, the fact that our base management fee is payable based upon our average gross assets (which includes any borrowings used for investment purposes) may encourage the Adviser to use leverage to make additional investments. Such a practice could make such investments more risky than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns. Under certain circumstances, the use of substantial leverage (up to the limits prescribed by the 1940 Act) may increase the likelihood of our defaulting on our borrowings, which would be detrimental to holders of our securities.

We may compete for capital and investment opportunities with other entities managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, subjecting the Adviser to certain conflicts of interest.

The Adviser will experience conflicts of interest in connection with the management of our business affairs relating to and arising from a number of matters, including: the allocation of investment opportunities by the Adviser and its affiliates; compensation to the Adviser; services that may be provided by the Adviser and its affiliates to issuers in which we may invest; investments by us and other clients of the Adviser, subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act; the formation of additional investment funds managed by the Adviser; differing recommendations given by the Adviser to us versus other clients; the Adviser’s use of information gained from issuers in our portfolio for investments by other clients, subject to applicable law; and restrictions on the Adviser’s use of “inside information” with respect to potential investments by us.

 

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Specifically, we may compete for investments with the other Blue Owl Clients, subjecting the Adviser and its affiliates to certain conflicts of interest in evaluating the suitability of investment opportunities and making or recommending investments on our behalf. To mitigate these conflicts, the Owl Rock Advisers will seek to execute such transactions for all of the participating investment accounts, including us, on a fair and equitable basis and in accordance with the Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy, taking into account such factors as the relative amounts of capital available for new investments; cash on hand; existing commitments and reserves; the investment programs and portfolio positions of the participating investment accounts, including portfolio construction, diversification and concentration considerations; the investment objectives, guidelines and strategies of each client; the clients for which participation is appropriate’ each client’s life cycle; targeted leverage level; targeted asset mix and any other factors deemed appropriate.

We may be prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our directors who are not interested persons and, in some cases, the prior approval of the SEC. We expect to rely on exemptive relief that has been granted by the SEC to an affiliate of the Adviser to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or certain of its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our Shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of us or our Shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our Shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing, and (4) the proposed investment by us would not benefit the Adviser or its affiliates or any affiliated person of any of them (other than the parties to the transaction), except to the extent permitted by the exemptive relief and applicable law, including the limitations set forth in Section 57(k) of the 1940 Act. The Owl Rock Advisers’ allocation policy seeks to ensure equitable allocation of investment opportunities between us and/or other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. As a result of the exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in our investment portfolio and the investment portfolio of other funds managed by Owl Rock that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief and that have an investment objective similar to ours.

Actions by the Adviser or its affiliates on behalf of their other accounts and clients may be adverse to us and our investments and harmful to us.

The Owl Rock Advisers and their affiliates manage assets for accounts other than us, including, but not limited to, the Blue Owl Clients. Actions taken by the Owl Rock Advisers and their affiliates on behalf of the Blue Owl Clients may be adverse to us and our investments, which could harm our performance. For example, we may invest in the same credit obligations as other Blue Owl Clients, although, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, our investments may include different obligations or levels of the capital structure of the same issuer. Decisions made with respect to the securities held by one of the Blue Owl Clients may cause (or have the potential to cause) harm to the different class of securities of the issuer held by other Blue Owl Clients (including us). While the Owl Rock Advisers and their affiliates have developed general guidelines regarding when two or more funds can invest in different parts of the same company’s capital structure and created a process that they employ to handle those conflicts when they arise, their decision to permit the investments to occur in the first instance or their judgment on how to minimize the conflict could be challenged. If the Owl Rock Advisers and their affiliates fail to appropriately address those conflicts, it could negatively impact their reputation and ability to raise additional funds and the willingness of counterparties to do business with them or result in potential litigation against them.

Our access to confidential information may restrict our ability to take action with respect to some investments, which, in turn, may negatively affect our results of operations.

We, directly or through the Adviser, may obtain confidential information about the companies in which we have invested or may invest or be deemed to have such confidential information. The Adviser may come into possession of material, non-public information through its members, officers, directors, employees, principals or

 

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affiliates. In addition, Dyal Clients may invest in entities that manage our portfolio companies and, as a result, may obtain additional confidential information about our portfolio companies. The possession of such information may, to our detriment, limit the ability of us and the Adviser to buy or sell a security or otherwise to participate in an investment opportunity. In certain circumstances, employees of the Adviser may serve as board members or in other capacities for portfolio or potential portfolio companies, which could restrict our ability to trade in the securities of such companies. For example, if personnel of the Adviser come into possession of material non-public information with respect to our investments, such personnel will be restricted by the Adviser’s information-sharing policies and procedures or by law or contract from sharing such information with our management team, even where the disclosure of such information would be in our best interests or would otherwise influence decisions taken by the members of the management team with respect to that investment. This conflict and these procedures and practices may limit the freedom of the Adviser to enter into or exit from potentially profitable investments for us, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will be able to fully leverage the resources and industry expertise of the Adviser in the course of its duties. Additionally, there may be circumstances in which one or more individuals associated with the Adviser will be precluded from providing services to us because of certain confidential information available to those individuals or to other parts of the Adviser.

We may be obligated to pay the Adviser incentive fees even if we incur a net loss due to a decline in the value of our portfolio and even if our earned interest income is not payable in cash.

The Investment Advisory Agreement entitles the Adviser to receive an incentive fee based on our pre-incentive fee net investment income regardless of any capital losses. In such case, we may be required to pay the Adviser an incentive fee for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or if we incur a net loss for that quarter. Any incentive fee payable by us that relates to the pre-incentive fee net investment income may be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received or interest in the form of securities received rather than cash (“payment-in-kind”, or “PIK”, income). PIK income will be included in the pre-incentive fee net investment income used to calculate the incentive fee to the Adviser even though we do not receive the income in the form of cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest income, it is possible that accrued interest income previously included in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. The Adviser is not obligated to reimburse us for any part of the incentive fee it received that was based on accrued interest income that we never receive as a result of a subsequent default.

For federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in some circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash and to make distributions with respect to such income to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and/or minimize corporate-level U.S. federal income or excise tax. Under such circumstances, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. This difficulty in making the required distribution may be amplified to the extent that we are required to pay the incentive fee on income with respect to such accrued income. As a result, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

Our Investment Adviser will be paid the management fee even if the value of the shareholders’ investments declines and the Adviser’s incentive fee may create incentives for it to make certain kinds of investments.

The Adviser is entitled to an incentive fee from us based on our investment performance. The incentive fee payable by us to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser to make investments on behalf of us that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such a compensation arrangement, and also to incur leverage, which will tend to enhance returns where our portfolio has positive returns. Additionally, the management fee is payable even in the event the value of shareholders’ investments declines.

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates will be restricted.

We will be prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of a majority of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we will generally be prohibited from buying or selling any securities from or to such

 

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affiliate on a principal basis, absent the prior approval of the Board of Directors and, in some cases, the SEC. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, including other funds or clients advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, which in certain circumstances could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times to the extent the transaction involves a joint investment), without prior approval of the Board of Directors and, in some cases, the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates or anyone who is under common control with us. The SEC has interpreted the BDC regulations governing transactions with affiliates to prohibit certain joint transactions involving entities that share a common investment adviser. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any portfolio company that is controlled by a fund managed by either of the Adviser or its affiliates without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment or disposition opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.

We rely on exemptive relief that has been granted by the SEC to ORCA and certain of its affiliates that permits us to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our Shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of us or our Shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our Shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing, and (4) the proposed investment by us would not benefit the Adviser or its affiliates or any affiliated person of any of them (other than the parties to the transaction), except to the extent permitted by the exemptive relief and applicable law, including the limitations set forth in Section 57(k) of the 1940 Act.

In situations when co-investment with the Adviser’s or its affiliates’ other clients is not permitted under the 1940 Act and related rules, existing or future staff guidance, or the terms and conditions of the exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC, the Adviser will need to decide which client or clients will proceed with the investment. Generally, we will not be entitled to make a co-investment in these circumstances and, to the extent that another client elects to proceed with the investment, we will not be permitted to participate. Moreover, except in certain circumstances, we will not invest in any issuer in which an affiliate’s other client holds a controlling interest.

We may make investments that could give rise to a conflict of interest.

We do not expect to invest in, or hold securities of, companies that are controlled by an affiliate’s other clients. However, the Adviser or an affiliate’s other clients may invest in, and gain control over, one of our portfolio companies. If the Adviser or an affiliate’s other client, or clients, gains control over one of our portfolio companies, it may create conflicts of interest and may subject us to certain restrictions under the 1940 Act. As a result of these conflicts and restrictions the Adviser may be unable to implement our investment strategies as effectively as they could have in the absence of such conflicts or restrictions. For example, as a result of a conflict or restriction, the Adviser may be unable to engage in certain transactions that it would otherwise pursue. In order to avoid these conflicts and restrictions, the Adviser may choose to exit such investments prematurely and, as a result, we may forego any positive returns associated with such investments. In addition, to the extent that an affiliate’s other client holds a different class of securities than us as a result of such transactions, our interests may not be aligned.

The recommendations given to us by the Adviser may differ from those rendered to their other clients.

The Adviser and its affiliates may give advice and recommend securities to other clients which may differ from advice given to, or securities recommended or bought for, us even though such other clients’ investment objectives may be similar to ours, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

The Adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Advisory Agreement (and, separately, under the Administration Agreement), and it will not be responsible for any action of the Board of Directors in declining to follow the Adviser’s advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser and its directors, officers, shareholders, members, agents, employees, controlling persons, and any other person or entity affiliated with, or acting on behalf of, the Adviser will not be liable to us for their acts under the Investment Advisory Agreement, absent willful malfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of their duties. We have also agreed to indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser and its directors, officers, shareholders, members, agents, employees, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with, or acting on behalf of, the Adviser with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses resulting from acts of the Adviser not arising out of negligence or misconduct in the performance of their duties. However, in accordance with Section 17(i) of the 1940 Act, neither the Adviser nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers, members, employees, agents, or representatives may be protected against any liability to us or our investors to which it would otherwise be subject by reason of willful malfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of its office. In addition, the Investment Advisory Agreement provides that we will not indemnify the Adviser nor any of its affiliates, directors, officers, members, employees, agents, or representatives for any loss suffered by for any liability or loss suffered by such party, nor will we provide that such party will be held harmless for any loss or liability we suffer, unless all of the following conditions are met: (i) we have determined in good faith that the conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Company; (ii) we have determined in good faith that such party was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Company; (iii) we have determined, in good faith, that such liability or loss was not the result of (A) negligence or misconduct, in the case that such part is the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, or (B) gross negligence or willful misconduct, in the case that such party is a director of the Company who is not also an officer of the Company or the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser; and (iv) such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of our net assets and not from our Shareholders. In addition, such party will not be indemnified for any losses, liabilities or expenses arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged material securities law violations as to such party; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to such party; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against the Indemnified Party and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the SEC and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which shares of our stock were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws. These protections may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

There are risks associated with any potential merger with or purchase of assets of another fund.

The Adviser may in the future recommend to the Board of Directors that we merge with or acquire all or substantially all of the assets of one or more funds including a fund that could be managed by the Adviser and its affiliates (including another BDC). We do not expect that the Adviser would recommend any such merger or asset purchase unless it determines that it would be in our best interests, with such determination dependent on factors it deems relevant, which may include our historical and projected financial performance and any that of any proposed merger partner, portfolio composition, potential synergies from the merger or asset sale, available alternative options and market conditions. In addition, no such merger or asset purchase would be consummated absent the meeting of various conditions required by applicable law or contract, at such time, which may include approval of the Board of Directors and common equity holders of both funds. If the Adviser is the investment adviser of both funds, various conflicts of interest would exist with respect to any such transaction. Such conflicts of interest may potentially arise from, among other things, differences between the compensation payable to the Adviser by us and by the entity resulting from such a merger or asset purchase or efficiencies or other benefits to the Adviser as a result of managing a single, larger fund instead of two separate funds.

 

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The Adviser’s failure to comply with pay-to-play laws, regulations and policies could have an adverse effect on the Adviser, and thus, us.

A number of U.S. states and municipal pension plans have adopted so-called “pay-to-play” laws, regulations or policies which prohibit, restrict or require disclosure of payments to (and/or certain contacts with) state officials by individuals and entities seeking to do business with state entities, including those seeking investments by public retirement funds. The SEC has adopted a rule that, among other things, prohibits an investment adviser from providing advisory services for compensation to a government client for two years after the adviser or certain of its executives or employees makes a contribution to certain elected officials or candidates. If the Adviser, any of its employees or affiliates or any service provider acting on its behalf, fails to comply with such laws, regulations or policies, such non-compliance could have an adverse effect on the Adviser, and thus, us.

Risks Related to Business Development Companies

The requirement that we invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could preclude us from investing in accordance with our current business strategy; conversely, the failure to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets could result in our failure to maintain our status as a BDC.

As a BDC, the 1940 Act prohibits us from acquiring any assets other than certain qualifying assets unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. Therefore, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets. Conversely, if we fail to invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could lose our status as a BDC, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making additional investments in existing portfolio companies, which could result in the dilution of our position, or could require us to dispose of investments at an inopportune time to comply with the 1940 Act. If we were forced to sell non-qualifying investments in the portfolio for compliance purposes, the proceeds from such sale could be significantly less than the current value of such investments.

Failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.

If we do not remain a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more regulatory restrictions, including a greater required asset coverage ratio and additional restrictions on transactions with affiliates, and correspondingly decrease our operating flexibility.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC and RIC affect our ability to raise capital and the way in which we raise additional capital or borrow for investment purposes, which may have a negative effect on our growth. As a BDC, the necessity of raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including risks associated with leverage.

As a result of the requirement that we distribute to our Shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”) to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we may need to access the capital markets periodically to raise cash to fund new investments in portfolio companies. Currently, we may issue “senior securities,” including borrowing money from banks or other financial institutions only in amounts such that the ratio of our total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness represented by senior securities) to our total indebtedness represented by senior securities plus preferred stock, if any, equals at least 150% after such incurrence or issuance. If we issue senior securities, we will be exposed to risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss. Our ability to issue different types of securities is also limited. Compliance with RIC distribution requirements may unfavorably limit our investment opportunities and reduce our ability in comparison to other companies to profit from favorable spreads between the rates at which we can borrow and the rates at which we can lend. Therefore, we intend to seek to continuously issue equity securities, which may lead to shareholder dilution.

We may borrow to fund investments. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy the asset coverage test under the 1940 Act, which would prohibit us from paying distributions and could prevent us from qualifying for tax treatment as a RIC, which would generally result in a corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on any income and net gains. If we cannot satisfy the asset coverage test, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our debt financing, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. In addition, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distribution to our Shareholders.

 

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In addition, we anticipate that as market conditions permit, we may securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we may create a wholly owned subsidiary, contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary and have the subsidiary issue primarily investment grade debt securities to purchasers who would be expected to be willing to accept a substantially lower interest rate than the loans earn. We would retain all or a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans. Our retained equity would be exposed to any losses on the portfolio of loans before any of the debt securities would be exposed to such losses.

Risks Related to Our Investments

Investing in publicly traded companies can involve a high degree of risk and can be speculative.

We may invest a portion of our portfolio in publicly traded companies or companies that are in the process of completing their initial public offering (“IPO”). As publicly traded companies, the securities of these companies may not trade at high volumes, and prices can be volatile, particularly during times of general market volatility, which may restrict our ability to sell our positions and may have a material adverse impact on us.

Our ability to invest in public companies may be limited in certain circumstances.

To maintain our status as a business development company, we are not permitted to acquire any assets other than “qualifying assets” specified in the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets (with certain limited exceptions).

Subject to certain exceptions for follow-on investments and distressed companies, an investment in an issuer that has outstanding securities listed on a national securities exchange may be treated as a qualifying asset only if such issuer has a market capitalization that is less than $250 million at the time of such investment and meets the other specified requirements.

Our investment strategy focuses on technology companies, which are subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs and periodic downturns.

We intend to invest in technology-related companies, many of which may have narrow product lines and small market shares, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as to general economic downturns. The revenues, income (or losses), and valuations of technology- related companies can and often do fluctuate suddenly and dramatically. In addition, technology-related industries are generally characterized by abrupt business cycles and intense competition. Overcapacity in technology-related industries, together with cyclical economic downturns, may result in substantial decreases in the market capitalization of many technology-related companies. Such decreases in market capitalization may occur again, and any future decreases in technology- related company valuations may be substantial and may not be temporary in nature. Therefore, our portfolio companies may face considerably more risk of loss than do companies in other industry sectors.

Because of rapid technological change, the average selling prices of products and some services provided by technology companies have historically decreased over their productive lives. As a result, the average selling prices of products and services offered by technology companies may decrease over time, which could adversely affect their operating results, their ability to meet obligations under their debt securities and the value of their equity securities. This could, in turn, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A natural disaster may also impact the operations of our portfolio companies, including the technology companies in our portfolio. The nature and level of natural disasters cannot be predicted and may be exacerbated by global climate change. Technology companies rely on items assembled or produced in areas susceptible to natural disasters, and may sell finished goods into markets susceptible to natural disasters. A major disaster, such as an earthquake, tsunami, flood or other catastrophic event could result in disruption to the business and operations of the technology companies in our portfolio.

We may invest in technology companies that are reliant on U.S. and foreign regulatory and governmental programs. Any material changes or discontinuation, due to change in administration or U.S. Congress or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on the operations of a portfolio company in these industries and, in turn, impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us to the extent applicable.

 

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Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investments.

We intend to pursue a strategy that focuses primarily on originating and making loans to, and making debt and equity investments in, U.S. middle market companies in a broad range of technology-related industries, with a focus on originated transactions sourced through the networks of the Adviser. Short transaction closing timeframes associated with originated transactions coupled with added tax or accounting structuring complexity and international transactions may result in higher risk in comparison to non-originated transactions.

First-Lien Debt. When we make a first-lien loan, we generally will take a security interest in the available assets of the portfolio company, including the equity interests of its subsidiaries, which we expect to help mitigate the risk that we will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise, and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our lien is, or could become, subordinated to claims of other creditors. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we need to enforce our remedies.

Unitranche Loans. In addition, in connection with any unitranche loans (including “last out” portions of such loans) in which we may invest, we would enter into agreements among lenders. Under these agreements, our interest in the collateral of the first-lien loans may rank junior to those of other lenders in the loan under certain circumstances. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal on these loans.

Second-Lien and Mezzanine Debt. Our investments in second-lien and mezzanine debt generally will be subordinated to senior loans and will either have junior security interests or be unsecured. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of insolvency. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal.

Equity Investments. When we invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt or mezzanine debt, we may acquire equity securities, such as warrants, options and convertible instruments, as well. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. We will seek to dispose of these equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of these interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Most debt securities in which we intend to invest will not be rated by any rating agency and, if they were rated, they would be rated as below investment grade quality and are commonly referred to as “leveraged loans,” “high yield” or “junk”. Debt securities rated below investment grade quality are generally regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics and may carry a greater risk with respect to a borrower’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. In addition, some of the loans in which we may invest may be “covenant-lite” loans. We use the term “covenant-lite” loans to refer generally to loans that do not have a complete set of financial maintenance covenants. Generally, “covenant-lite” loans will provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent we invest in “covenant-lite” loans, we may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.

We may invest through joint ventures, partnerships or other special purpose vehicles and our investments through these vehicles may entail greater risks, or risks that we otherwise would not incur, if we otherwise made such investments directly.

We may make indirect investments in portfolio companies through joint ventures, partnerships or other special purpose vehicles (“Investment Vehicles”). In general, the risks associated with indirect investments in portfolio companies through a joint venture, partnership or other special purpose vehicle are similar to those associated with a direct investment in a portfolio company. While we intend to analyze the credit and business of a potential portfolio company in determining whether to make an investment in an Investment Vehicle, we will nonetheless be exposed to the creditworthiness of the Investment Vehicle. In the event of a bankruptcy proceeding against the portfolio company, the assets of the portfolio company may be used to satisfy its obligations prior to the satisfaction of our investment in the Investment Vehicle (i.e., our investment in the Investment Vehicle could be structurally subordinated to the other obligations of the portfolio company). In addition, if we are to invest in an Investment Vehicle, we may be required to rely on our partners in the Investment Vehicle when making decisions regarding such Investment Vehicle’s investments, accordingly, the value of the investment could be adversely affected if our interests diverge from those of our partners in the Investment Vehicle.

 

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We expect our investments to be concentrated in technology-related industries, some of which are subject to extensive government regulation, which exposes us to the risk of significant loss if any of these industry sectors experiences a downturn.

A consequence of our investment strategy is that our investment returns will be materially and adversely affected if the companies or the industries we target perform poorly. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our intended qualification as a RIC and the policy we expect to adopt to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification or limitations on the size of our investments in any one company and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few industries.

Our investments may be subject to extensive regulation by U.S. and foreign federal, state and/or local agencies. Changes in existing laws, rules or regulations, or judicial or administrative interpretations thereof, or new laws, rules or regulations could have an adverse impact on the business and industries of our portfolio companies. In addition, changes in government priorities or limitations on government resources could also adversely impact our portfolio companies. We are unable to predict whether any such changes in laws, rules or regulations will occur and, if they do occur, the impact of these changes on our portfolio companies and our investment returns.

Furthermore, if any of our portfolio companies were to fail to comply with applicable regulations, they could be subject to significant penalties and claims that could materially and adversely affect their operations. Our portfolio companies may be subject to the expense, delay and uncertainty of the regulatory approval process for their products and, even if approved, these products may not be accepted in the marketplace.

To the extent we invest in publicly traded companies, we may be unable to obtain financial covenants and other contractual rights, which subjects us to additional risks.

If we invest in instruments issued by publicly-held companies, we may be subject to risks that differ in type or degree from those involved with investments in privately-held companies. Such risks include, without limitation, greater volatility in the valuation of such companies, increased obligations to disclose information regarding such companies, limitations on our ability to dispose of such instruments at certain times, increased likelihood of shareholder litigation against such companies’ board members and increased costs associated with each of the aforementioned risks. In addition, to the extent we invest in publicly traded debt instruments, we may not be able to obtain financial covenants or other contractual rights that we might otherwise be able to obtain when making privately-negotiated investments. We may not have the same access to information in connection with investments in public debt instruments that we would expect to have in connection with privately-negotiated investments. If we or the Adviser were deemed to have material, nonpublic information regarding the issuer of a publicly traded instrument in which we have invested, we may be limited in our ability to make new investments or sell existing investments in such issuer.

Our investments may be in portfolio companies that have limited operating histories and resources.

Our portfolio may include investments in companies that may have relatively limited operating histories. These companies may be particularly vulnerable to U.S. and foreign economic downturns may have more limited access to capital and higher funding costs, may have a weaker financial position and may need more capital to expand or compete. These businesses also may experience substantial variations in operating results. They may face intense competition, including from larger, more established companies with greater financial, technical and marketing resources. Furthermore, some of these companies do business in regulated industries and could be affected by changes in government regulation applicable to their given industry. Accordingly, these factors could impair their cash flow or result in other events, such as bankruptcy, which could limit their ability to repay their obligations to us, and may adversely affect the return on, or the recovery of, our investment in these companies. We cannot assure you that any of our investments in our portfolio companies will be successful. We may lose our entire investment in any or all of our portfolio companies.

 

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A lack of IPO or merger and acquisition opportunities may cause companies to stay in our portfolio longer, leading to lower returns, unrealized depreciation, or realized losses.

A lack of IPO or merger and acquisition (“M&A”) opportunities for venture capital-backed companies could lead to companies staying longer in our portfolio as private entities still requiring funding. This situation may adversely affect the amount of available funding for early-stage companies in particular as, in general, venture-capital firms are being forced to provide additional financing to late-stage companies that cannot complete an IPO or M&A transaction. In the best case, such stagnation would dampen returns, and in the worst case, could lead to unrealized depreciation and realized losses as some companies run short of cash and have to accept lower valuations in private fundings or are not able to access additional capital at all. A lack of IPO or M&A opportunities for venture capital-backed companies can also cause some venture capital firms to change their strategies, leading some of them to reduce funding of their portfolio companies and making it more difficult for such companies to access capital and to fulfill their potential, which can result in unrealized depreciation and realized losses in such companies by other companies such as ourselves who are co-investors in such companies.

The inability of our portfolio companies to commercialize their technologies or create or develop commercially viable products or businesses would have a negative impact on our investment returns.

The possibility that our portfolio companies will not be able to commercialize their technology, products or business concepts presents significant risks to the value of our investments. Additionally, although some of our portfolio companies may already have a commercially successful product or product line when we invest, technology-related products and services often have a more limited market- or life-span than products in other industries. Thus, the ultimate success of these companies often depends on their ability to continually innovate, or raise additional capital, in increasingly competitive markets. Their inability to do so could affect our investment return. In addition, the intellectual property held by our portfolio companies often represents a substantial portion of the collateral, if any, securing our investments. We cannot assure you that any of our portfolio companies will successfully acquire or develop any new technologies, or that the intellectual property the companies currently hold will remain viable. Even if our portfolio companies are able to develop commercially viable products, the market for new products and services is highly competitive and rapidly changing. Neither our portfolio companies nor we have any control over the pace of technology development. Commercial success is difficult to predict, and the marketing efforts of our portfolio companies may not be successful.

If our portfolio companies are unable to protect their intellectual property rights, or are required to devote significant resources to protecting their intellectual property rights, then our investments could be harmed.

Our success and competitive position depend in part upon the ability of our portfolio companies to obtain and maintain proprietary technology used in their products and services, which will often represent a significant portion of the collateral, if any, securing our investment. The portfolio companies will rely, in part, on patent, trade secret and trademark law to protect that technology, but competitors may misappropriate their intellectual property, and disputes as to ownership of intellectual property may arise. Portfolio companies may, from time to time, be required to institute litigation in order to enforce their patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights, to protect their trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.

Similarly, if a portfolio company is found to infringe upon or misappropriate a third party’s patent or other proprietary rights, that portfolio company could be required to pay damages to such third party, alter its own products or processes, obtain a license from the third party and/or cease activities utilizing such proprietary rights, including making or selling products utilizing such proprietary rights. Any of the foregoing events could negatively affect both the portfolio company’s ability to service our debt investment and the value of any related debt and equity securities that we own, as well as any collateral securing our investment.

Our relationship with certain portfolio companies may expose us to our portfolio companies’ trade secrets and confidential information which may require us to be parties to non-disclosure agreements and restrict us from engaging in certain transactions.

Our relationship with some of our portfolio companies may expose us to our portfolio companies’ trade secrets and confidential information (including transactional data and personal data about their employees and clients) that may require us to be parties to nondisclosure agreements and restrict us from engaging in certain transactions. Unauthorized access or disclosure of such information may occur, resulting in theft, loss or other misappropriation. Any theft, loss, improper use, such as insider trading or other misappropriation of confidential information could have a material adverse impact on our competitive positions, our relationship with our portfolio companies and our reputation and could subject us to regulatory inquiries, enforcement and fines, civil litigation and possible financial liability or costs.

 

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If the assets securing the loans that we make decrease in value, then we may lack sufficient collateral to cover losses.

To attempt to mitigate credit risks, we intend to take a security interest in the available assets of our portfolio companies. There is no assurance that we will obtain or properly perfect any such liens.

There is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of a portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our lien could be subordinated to claims of other creditors. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we be forced to enforce our remedies.

In addition, because we invest in technology-related companies, a substantial portion of the assets securing our investment may be in the form of intellectual property, if any, inventory and equipment and, to a lesser extent, cash and accounts receivable. Intellectual property, if any, that is securing our loan could lose value if, among other things, the company’s rights to the intellectual property are challenged or if the company’s license to the intellectual property is revoked or expires, the technology fails to achieve its intended results or a new technology makes the intellectual property functionally obsolete. Inventory may not be adequate to secure our loan if our valuation of the inventory at the time that we made the loan was not accurate or if there is a reduction in the demand for the inventory.

Similarly, any equipment securing our loan may not provide us with the anticipated security if there are changes in technology or advances in new equipment that render the particular equipment obsolete or of limited value, or if the company fails to adequately maintain or repair the equipment. Any one or more of the preceding factors could materially impair our ability to recover earned interest and principal in a foreclosure.

We may suffer a loss if a portfolio company defaults on a loan and the underlying collateral is not sufficient.

In the event of a default by a portfolio company on a secured loan, we will only have recourse to the assets collateralizing the loan. If the underlying collateral value is less than the loan amount, we will suffer a loss. In addition, we may make loans that are unsecured, which are subject to the risk that other lenders may be directly secured by the assets of the portfolio company. In the event of a default, those collateralized lenders would have priority over us with respect to the proceeds of a sale of the underlying assets. In cases described above, we may lack control over the underlying asset collateralizing our loan or the underlying assets of the portfolio company prior to a default, and as a result the value of the collateral may be reduced by acts or omissions by owners or managers of the assets.

In the event of bankruptcy of a portfolio company, we may not have full recourse to its assets in order to satisfy our loan, or our loan may be subject to “equitable subordination.” This means that depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided significant “managerial assistance,” if any, to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In addition, certain of our loans are subordinate to other debt of the portfolio company. If a portfolio company defaults on our loan or on debt senior to our loan, or in the event of a portfolio company bankruptcy, our loan will be satisfied only after the senior debt receives payment. Where debt senior to our loan exists, the presence of inter-creditor arrangements may limit our ability to amend our loan documents, assign our loans, accept prepayments, exercise our remedies (through “standstill” periods) and control decisions made in bankruptcy proceedings relating to the portfolio company. Bankruptcy and portfolio company litigation can significantly increase collection losses and the time needed for us to acquire the underlying collateral in the event of a default, during which time the collateral may decline in value, causing us to suffer losses.

If the value of collateral underlying our loan declines or interest rates increase during the term of our loan, a portfolio company may not be able to obtain the necessary funds to repay our loan at maturity through refinancing. Decreasing collateral value and/or increasing interest rates may hinder a portfolio company’s ability to refinance our loan because the underlying collateral cannot satisfy the debt service coverage requirements necessary to obtain new financing. If a borrower is unable to repay our loan at maturity, we could suffer a loss which may adversely impact our financial performance.

 

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We may not realize any income or gains from our equity investments

We may invest in equity-related securities, including publicly-traded debt instruments, common equity, warrants, preferred stock and convertible preferred securities. These equity interests we acquire may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value if the company fails to perform financially or achieve its growth objectives. We will generally have little, if any, control over the timing of any gains we may realize from our equity investments since these securities may have restrictions on their transfer or may not have an active trading market.

Equity investments also have experienced significantly more volatility in their returns and may under-perform relative to fixed income securities during certain periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value. Also, prices of equity investments are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stock investments to which we have exposure. Equity prices fluctuate for several reasons including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or when political or economic events affecting the issuers occur. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, as the cost of capital rises and borrowing costs increase.

Although we expect to receive current income in the form of dividend payments on any convertible preferred equity investments, a substantial portion of the gains we expect to receive from our investments in such securities will likely be from the capital gains generated from the sale of our equity investments upon conversion of our convertible securities, the timing of which we cannot predict. We do not expect to generate capital gains from the sale of our portfolio investments on a level or uniform basis from quarter to quarter. In addition, any convertible preferred stock instruments will generally provide for conversion upon the portfolio companies’ achievement of certain milestone events, including a qualified public offering and/or a senior exchange listing for their common stock. However, there can be no assurance that our portfolio companies will obtain either a junior or senior exchange listing or, even if a listing is obtained, that an active trading market will ever develop in the common stock of our publicly traded portfolio companies.

Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. Furthermore, due to the expected growth of our portfolio companies, we do not generally expect to receive dividend income from our common stock investments. In the case of cumulative preferred stock, there is no assurance that any dividends will ever be paid by a portfolio company.

The credit ratings of certain of our investments may not be indicative of the actual credit risk of such rated instruments.

Rating agencies rate debt securities based upon their assessment of the likelihood of the receipt of principal and interest payments. Rating agencies do not consider the risks of fluctuations in market value or other factors that may influence the value of debt securities. Therefore, the credit rating assigned to a particular instrument may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment in such instrument. Credit rating agencies may change their methods of evaluating credit risk and determining ratings. These changes may occur quickly and often. While we may give some consideration to ratings, ratings may not be indicative of the actual credit risk of our investments in rated instruments.

Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments, net of prepayment fees, could negatively impact our return on equity. This risk will be more acute when interest rates decrease, as we may be unable to reinvest at rates as favorable as when we made our initial investment.

 

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A redemption of convertible securities held by us could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.

A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument. If a convertible security held by us is called for redemption, we will be required to permit the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock or sell it to a third party. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.

To the extent original issue discount (OID) and payment-in-kind (PIK) interest income constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to risks associated with the deferred receipt of cash representing such income.

Our investments may include OID and PIK instruments. To the extent OID and PIK constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to risks associated with such income being required to be included in income for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and taxable income prior to receipt of cash, including the following:

 

   

Original issue discount instruments may have unreliable valuations because the accruals require judgments about collectability or deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral;

 

   

Original issue discount instruments may create heightened credit risks because the inducement to the borrower to accept higher interest rates in exchange for the deferral of cash payments typically represents, to some extent, speculation on the part of the borrower;

 

   

For U.S. GAAP purposes, cash distributions to shareholders that include a component of OID income do not come from paid-in capital, although they may be paid from the sources other than cash flows from operations. Thus, although a distribution of OID income may come from the cash invested by the shareholders, the 1940 Act does not require that shareholders be given notice of this fact;

 

   

The presence of OID and PIK creates the risk of non-refundable cash payments to the Adviser in the form of incentive fees on income based on non-cash OID and PIK accruals that may never be realized; and

 

   

In the case of PIK, “toggle” debt, which gives the issuer the option to defer an interest payment in exchange for an increased interest rate in the future, the PIK election has the simultaneous effect of increasing the investment income, thus increasing the potential for realizing incentive fees.

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

We intend to pursue a strategy that focuses on investing primarily in the debt of privately owned U.S. companies in a broad range of technology-related industries with a focus on originated transactions sourced through the networks of the Adviser. Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we may invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the debt instruments in which we may invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, any holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we may invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company and our portfolio company may not have sufficient assets to pay all equally ranking credit even if we hold senior, first-lien debt.

If we cannot obtain debt financing or equity capital on acceptable terms, our ability to acquire investments and to expand our operations will be adversely affected.

The net proceeds from the sale of our shares will be used for our investment opportunities, and, if necessary, the payment of operating expenses and the payment of various fees and expenses such as base management fees, incentive fees, other fees and distributions. Any working capital reserves we maintain may not be sufficient for investment purposes, and we may require additional debt financing or equity capital to operate. Pursuant to tax rules that apply to RICs, we will be required to distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income

 

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and net short- term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our Shareholders to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC. Accordingly, in the event that we need additional capital in the future for investments or for any other reason we may need to access the capital markets periodically to issue debt or equity securities or borrow from financial institutions in order to obtain such additional capital. These sources of funding may not be available to us due to unfavorable economic conditions, which could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. Consequently, if we cannot obtain further debt or equity financing on acceptable terms, our ability to acquire additional investments and to expand our operations will be adversely affected. As a result, we would be less able to diversify our portfolio and achieve our investment objective, which may negatively impact our results of operations and reduce our ability to make distributions to our Shareholders.

Defaults by our portfolio companies could jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity investments that we hold, which could harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its debt financing and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity investments that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, some of the loans in which we may invest may be “covenant-lite” loans, which means the loans contain fewer or no financial maintenance covenants or restrictions in comparison to loans that include financial maintenance covenants. Non-financial maintenance covenants can only be breached by an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, the Company may have fewer rights against a borrower when it invests in or has exposure to “covenant-lite” loans and, accordingly, may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.

As part of our lending activities, we may in certain opportunistic circumstances originate loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Any such investment would involve a substantial degree of risk. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company that we fund, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the loan advanced by us to the borrower.

Subordinated liens on collateral securing debt investments that we may make to portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.

Certain debt investments that we will make in portfolio companies will be secured on a second priority lien basis by the same collateral securing senior debt of such companies. We also make debt investments in portfolio companies secured on a first priority basis. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the debt. In the event of a default, the holders of obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of and be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the debt obligations secured by the first priority or second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the debt obligations secured by the first priority or second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

We may also make unsecured debt investments in portfolio companies, meaning that such investments will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on any such portfolio company’s collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured debt agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such

 

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collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured debt obligations after payment in full of all secured debt obligations. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured debt obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the debt investments we make in our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more inter-creditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an inter-creditor agreement, at any time obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens: the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; the approval of amendments to collateral documents; releases of liens on the collateral; and waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.

Certain of our investments may be adversely affected by laws relating to fraudulent conveyance or voidable preferences.

Certain of our investments could be subject to federal bankruptcy law and state fraudulent transfer laws, which vary from state to state, if the debt obligations relating to certain investments were issued with the intent of hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors or, in certain circumstances, if the issuer receives less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration in return for issuing such debt obligations. If the debt proceeds are used for a buyout of shareholders, this risk is greater than if the debt proceeds are used for day-to-day operations or organic growth. If a court were to find that the issuance of the debt obligations was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void or otherwise refuse to recognize the payment obligations under the debt obligations or the collateral supporting such obligations, further subordinate the debt obligations or the liens supporting such obligations to other existing and future indebtedness of the issuer or require us to repay any amounts received by us with respect to the debt obligations or collateral. In the event of a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, we may not receive any repayment on such debt obligations.

Under certain circumstances, payments to us and distributions by us to our Shareholders may be reclaimed if any such payment or distribution is later determined to have been a fraudulent conveyance, preferential payment or similar transaction under applicable bankruptcy and insolvency laws. Furthermore, investments in restructurings may be adversely affected by statutes relating to, among other things, fraudulent conveyances, voidable preferences, lender liability and the court’s discretionary power to disallow, subordinate or disenfranchise particular claims or recharacterize investments made in the form of debt as equity contributions.

There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

Although we intend to structure certain of our investments as senior debt, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company or a representative of us or the Adviser sat on the Board of Directors of such portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In situations where a bankruptcy carries a high degree of political significance, our legal rights may be subordinated to other creditors.

In addition, a number of U.S. judicial decisions have upheld judgments obtained by borrowers against lending institutions on the basis of various evolving legal theories, collectively termed “lender liability.” Generally, lender liability is founded on the premise that a lender has violated a duty (whether implied or contractual) of good faith, commercial reasonableness and fair dealing, or a similar duty owed to the borrower or has assumed an excessive degree of control over the borrower resulting in the creation of a fiduciary duty owed to the borrower or its other creditors or shareholders. Because of the nature of our investments in portfolio companies (including that, as a BDC, we may be required to provide managerial assistance to those portfolio companies if they so request upon our offer), we may be subject to allegations of lender liability.

 

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We generally will not control the business operations of our portfolio companies and, due to the illiquid nature of our holdings in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies.

We do not currently, and do not expect in the future to control most of our portfolio companies, although we may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements may impose certain restrictive covenants on our borrowers. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we expect to invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as a debt investor. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in private companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at a favorable value. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.

We are exposed to risks resulting from the current low interest rate environment.

Because we may borrow money to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds. The current, historically low interest rate environment can, depending on our cost of capital, depress our net investment income, even though the terms of our investments generally will include a minimum interest rate. In addition, any reduction in the level of interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on our current investments could adversely impact our net investment income, reducing our ability to service the interest obligations on, and to repay the principal of, our indebtedness, as well as our capacity to pay distributions. Any such developments would result in a decline in our net asset value and in our net asset value per share.

We will be exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

Because we may borrow money to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we may borrow funds and the rate at which we may invest these funds. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.

A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net investment income. However, an increase in interest rates could decrease the value of any investments we hold which earn fixed interest rates and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock. Further, rising interest rates could also adversely affect our performance if such increases cause our borrowing costs to rise at a rate in excess of the rate that our investments yield.

Our debt investments may be based on floating interest rates, such as LIBOR, the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”), the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate, that reset on a periodic basis, and that many of our investments will be subject to interest rate floors. A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net investment income, which also could be negatively impacted by our borrowers making prepayments on their loans. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates could increase the interest repayment obligations of our borrowers and result in challenges to their financial performance and ability to repay their obligations. In addition, our cost of funds likely will increase because the interest rates on the majority of amounts we may borrow are likely to be floating, which could reduce our net investment income to the extent any debt investments have fixed interest rates, and the interest rate on investments with an interest rate floor will not increase until interest rates exceed the applicable floor.

Trading prices for debt that pays a fixed rate of return tend to fall as interest rates rise. Trading prices tend to fluctuate more for fixed-rate securities that have longer maturities. Moreover, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock. Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business.

We may enter into certain hedging transactions, such as interest rate swap agreements, in an effort to mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates and we may increase our floating rate investments to position the portfolio for rate increases. However, we cannot assure you that such transactions will be successful in mitigating our exposure to interest rate risk or if we will enter into such interest rate hedges. Hedging transactions may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of lower interest rates with respect to our portfolio investments.

 

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We do not have a policy governing the maturities of our investments. This means that we are subject to greater risk (other things being equal) than a fund invested solely in shorter-term securities. A decline in the prices of the debt we own could adversely affect our net asset value. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate.

In periods of rising interest rates, to the extent we borrow money subject to a floating interest rate, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income. Further, rising interest rates could also adversely affect our performance if we hold investments with floating interest rates, subject to specified minimum interest rates (such as a LIBOR floor), while at the same time engaging in borrowings subject to floating interest rates not subject to such minimums. In such a scenario, rising interest rates may increase our interest expense, even though our interest income from investments is not increasing in a corresponding manner as a result of such minimum interest rates.

If general interest rates rise, there is a risk that the portfolio companies in which we hold floating rate securities will be unable to pay escalating interest amounts, which could result in a default under their loan documents with us. Rising interest rates could also cause portfolio companies to shift cash from other productive uses to the payment of interest, which may have a material adverse effect on their business and operations and could, over time, lead to increased defaults. In addition, rising interest rates may increase pressure on us to provide fixed rate loans to our portfolio companies, which could adversely affect our net investment income, as increases in our cost of borrowed funds would not be accompanied by increased interest income from such fixed- rate investments.

To the extent that we make floating rate debt investments, a rise in the general level of interest rates would lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase in the amount of the incentive fee payable to the Adviser.

International investments create additional risks.

We may make investments in portfolio companies that are domiciled outside of the United States. Our investments in foreign portfolio companies are deemed “non-qualifying assets”, which means that, as required by the 1940 Act, such investments, along with other investments in non-qualifying assets, may not constitute more than 30% of our total assets at the time of our acquisition of any such asset, after giving effect to the acquisition. Notwithstanding the limitation on our ownership of foreign portfolio companies, such investments subject us to many of the same risks as our domestic investments, as well as certain additional risks, including the following:

 

   

foreign governmental laws, rules and policies, including those relating to taxation and bankruptcy and restricting the ownership of assets in the foreign country or the repatriation of profits from the foreign country to the United States and any adverse changes in these laws;

 

   

foreign currency devaluations that reduce the value of and returns on our foreign investments;

 

   

adverse changes in the availability, cost and terms of investments due to the varying economic policies of a foreign country in which we may invest;

 

   

adverse changes in tax rates, the tax treatment of transaction structures and other changes in operating expenses of a particular foreign country in which we may invest;

 

   

the assessment of foreign-country taxes (including withholding taxes, transfer taxes and value added taxes, any or all of which could be significant) on income or gains from our investments in the foreign country;

 

   

changes that adversely affect the social, political and/or economic stability of a foreign country in which we may invest;

 

   

high inflation in the foreign countries in which we may invest, which could increase the costs to us of investing in those countries;

 

   

deflationary periods in the foreign countries in which we may invest, which could reduce demand for our assets in those countries and diminish the value of such investments and the related investment returns to us; and

 

   

legal and logistical barriers in the foreign countries in which we may invest that materially and adversely limit our ability to enforce our contractual rights with respect to those investments.

In addition, we may make investments in countries whose governments or economies may prove unstable. Certain of the countries in which we may invest may have political, economic and legal systems that are unpredictable, unreliable or otherwise inadequate with respect to the implementation, interpretation and enforcement

 

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of laws protecting asset ownership and economic interests. In some of the countries in which we may invest, there may be a risk of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, which may have an adverse effect on our portfolio companies in those countries and the rates of return that we are able to achieve on such investments. We may also lose the total value of any investment which is nationalized, expropriated or confiscated. The financial results and investment opportunities available to us, particularly in developing countries and emerging markets, may be materially and adversely affected by any or all of these political, economic and legal risks.

We may acquire various structured financial instruments for purposes of “hedging” or reducing our risks, which may be costly and ineffective and could reduce the cash available to service our debt or for distribution to our Shareholders.

We may seek to hedge against interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations and credit risk by using structured financial instruments such as futures, options, swaps and forward contracts, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. Use of structured financial instruments for hedging purposes may present significant risks, including the risk of loss of the amounts invested. Defaults by the other party to a hedging transaction can result in losses in the hedging transaction. Hedging activities also involve the risk of an imperfect correlation between the hedging instrument and the asset being hedged, which could result in losses both on the hedging transaction and on the instrument being hedged. Use of hedging activities may not prevent significant losses and could increase our losses. Further, hedging transactions may reduce cash available to service our debt or pay distributions to our Shareholders.

We will expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.

We may enter into hedging transactions, which may expose us to risks associated with such transactions. We may seek to utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates and the relative value of certain debt securities from changes in market interest rates. Use of these hedging instruments may include counter-party credit risk. To the extent we have non-U.S. investments, particularly investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies, our hedging costs will increase.

Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions would not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions were to decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions were to increase. It also may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

The success of our hedging strategy, if any, will depend on our ability to correctly identify appropriate exposures for hedging. Unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or other exposures that we might hedge may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary, as may the time period in which the hedge is effective relative to the time period of the related exposure.

For a variety of reasons, we may not seek to (or be able to) establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the positions being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations. Income derived from hedging transactions also is not eligible to be distributed to non-U.S. shareholders free from withholding taxes. Changes to the regulations applicable to the financial instruments we use to accomplish our hedging strategy could affect the effectiveness of that strategy. See “—The market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.” and “—We are, and will continue to be, exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.”

 

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The market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC and SEC may affect our ability to use OTC derivatives for hedging purposes.

The Dodd-Frank Act and the CFTC enacted and SEC has issued rules to implement, both broad new regulatory requirements and broad new structural requirements applicable to OTC derivatives markets and, to a lesser extent, listed commodity futures (and futures options) markets. Similar changes are in the process of being implemented in other major financial markets.

The CFTC and the SEC have issued final rules establishing that certain swap transactions are subject to CFTC regulation. Engaging in such swap or other commodity interest transactions such as futures contracts or options on futures contracts may cause us to fall within the definition of “commodity pool” under the Commodity Exchange Act and related CFTC regulations. The Adviser has claimed relief from CFTC registration and regulation as a commodity pool operator with respect to our operations, with the result that we are limited in our ability to use futures contracts or options on futures contracts or engage in swap transactions. Specifically, we are subject to strict limitations on using such derivatives other than for hedging purposes, whereby the use of derivatives not used solely for hedging purposes is generally limited to situations where (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish such positions does not exceed five percent of the liquidation value of our portfolio, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts we have entered into; or (ii) the aggregate net notional value of such derivatives does not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of our portfolio.

The Dodd-Frank Act also imposed requirements relating to real-time public and regulatory reporting of OTC derivative transactions, enhanced documentation requirements, position limits on an expanded array of derivatives, and recordkeeping requirements. Taken as a whole, these changes could significantly increase the cost of using uncleared OTC derivatives to hedge risks, including interest rate and foreign exchange risk; reduce the level of exposure we are able to obtain for risk management purposes through OTC derivatives (including as the result of the CFTC imposing position limits on additional products); reduce the amounts available to us to make non-derivatives investments; impair liquidity in certain OTC derivatives; and adversely affect the quality of execution pricing obtained by us, all of which could adversely impact our investment returns.

Our ability to enter into transactions involving derivatives and financial commitment transactions may be limited.

In November 2020, the SEC adopted a rulemaking regarding the ability of a BDC (or a registered investment company) to use derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations.

Under the newly adopted rules, BDCs that use derivatives will be subject to a value-at-risk leverage limit, a derivatives risk management program and testing requirements and requirements related to board reporting. These new requirements will apply unless the BDC qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined under the adopted rules. Under the new rule, a BDC may enter into an unfunded commitment agreement that is not a derivatives transaction, such as an agreement to provide financing to a portfolio company, if the BDC has, among other things, a reasonable belief, at the time it enters into such an agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all of its unfunded commitment agreements, in each case as it becomes due. Collectively, these requirements may limit our ability to use derivatives and/or enter into certain other financial contracts.

We may enter into total return swaps that would expose us to certain risks, including market risk, liquidity risk and other risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.

A total return swap is a contract in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to another party based on the change in the market value of the assets underlying the total return swap, which may include a specified security or loan, basket of securities or loans or securities or loan indices during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate. A total return swap is typically used to obtain exposure to a security, loan or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or loan or investing directly in such market. A total return swap may effectively add leverage to our portfolio because, in addition to our total net assets, we would be subject to investment exposure on the amount of securities or loans subject to the total return swap. A total return swap is also subject to the risk that a counterparty will default on its payment obligations thereunder or that we will not be able to meet our obligations to the counterparty. In addition, because a total return swap is a form of synthetic leverage, such arrangements are subject to risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.

 

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Our investment strategy focuses on technology-related companies, which are subject to many risks, including volatility, intense competition, shortened product life cycles, changes in regulatory and governmental programs and periodic downturns, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

We intend to adopt a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies, many of which may have narrow product lines and small market shares, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as to general economic downturns. The revenues, income (or losses), and valuations of technology-related companies can and often do fluctuate suddenly and dramatically. In addition, technology-related industries are generally characterized by abrupt business cycles and intense competition. Overcapacity in technology-related industries, together with cyclical economic downturns, may result in substantial decreases in the market capitalization of many technology-related companies. Such decreases in market capitalization may occur again, and any future decreases in technology-related company valuations may be substantial and may not be temporary in nature. Therefore, our portfolio companies may face considerably more risk of loss than do companies in other industry sectors.

Because of rapid technological change, the average selling prices of products and some services provided by technology-related companies have historically decreased over their productive lives. As a result, the average selling prices of products and services offered by technology-related companies may decrease over time, which could adversely affect their operating results, their ability to meet obligations under their debt securities and the value of their equity securities. This could, in turn, materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

A natural disaster may also impact the operations of our portfolio companies, including the technology companies in our portfolio. The nature and level of natural disasters cannot be predicted and may be exacerbated by global climate change. Technology companies rely on items assembled or produced in areas susceptible to natural disasters, and may sell finished goods into markets susceptible to natural disasters. A major disaster, such as an earthquake, tsunami, flood or other catastrophic event could result in disruption to the business and operations of the technology companies in our portfolio.

We may invest in technology-related companies that are reliant on U.S. and foreign regulatory and governmental programs. Any material changes or discontinuation, due to change in administration or U.S. Congress or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on the operations of a portfolio company in these industries and, in turn, impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us to the extent applicable.

Any investments in life sciences-related companies may be subject to extensive government regulation, litigation risk and certain other risks particular to that industry.

We may invest in life sciences-related that may be subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and other foreign agencies. If any of these portfolio companies fail to comply with applicable regulations, they could be subject to significant penalties and claims that could materially and adversely affect their operations. Portfolio companies that produce medical devices or drugs are subject to the expense, delay and uncertainty of the regulatory approval process for their products and, even if approved, these products may not be accepted in the marketplace. In addition, governmental budgetary constraints effecting the regulatory approval process, new laws, regulations or judicial interpretations of existing laws and regulations might adversely affect a portfolio company in this industry.

Life sciences-related portfolio companies may also have a limited number of suppliers of necessary components or a limited number of manufacturers for their products, and therefore face a risk of disruption to their manufacturing process if they are unable to find alternative suppliers when needed. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect the operations of a life sciences-related portfolio company and, in turn, impair our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us.

Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.

Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification. While we do not intend to target any specific industries, our investments may be focused on relatively few industries. We intend to adopt a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, a downturn in any particular industry in which we may invest could significantly affect our aggregate returns.

 

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We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future.

We may be required in the future to obtain various state licenses to, among other things, originate commercial loans, and may be required to obtain similar licenses from other authorities, including outside of the United States, in the future in connection with one or more investments. Applying for and obtaining required licenses can be costly and take several months. We cannot assure you that we will maintain or obtain all of the licenses that we need on a timely basis. We also will be subject to various information and other requirements to maintain and obtain these licenses, and we cannot assure you that we will satisfy those requirements. Our failure to obtain and/or maintain licenses that we require might restrict investment options and have other adverse consequences.

An investment strategy focused primarily on privately held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies.

We intend to invest primarily in privately held companies. Investments in private companies pose certain incremental risks as compared to investments in public companies including that they:

 

   

have reduced access to the capital markets, resulting in diminished capital resources and ability to withstand financial distress;

 

   

may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt obligations that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of our realizing any guarantees we may have obtained in connection with our investment;

 

   

may have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and changing market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;

 

   

are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons and, therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on the company and, in turn, on us; and

 

   

generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position.

In addition, investments in private companies tend to be less liquid. The securities of private companies are not publicly traded or actively traded on the secondary market and are, instead, traded on a privately negotiated over-the-counter secondary market for institutional investors. These over-the-counter secondary markets may be inactive during an economic downturn or a credit crisis and in any event often have lower volumes than publicly traded securities even in normal market conditions. In addition, the securities in these companies will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. If there is no readily available market for these investments, we are required to carry these investments at fair value as determined by the Board of Directors. As a result, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. We may also face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we, the Adviser or any of its affiliates have material nonpublic information regarding such portfolio company or where the sale would be an impermissible joint transaction under the 1940 Act. The reduced liquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price, and, as a result, we may suffer losses.

Finally, little public information generally exists about private companies and these companies may not have third-party credit ratings or audited financial statements. We must therefore rely on the ability of the Adviser to obtain adequate information through due diligence to evaluate the creditworthiness and potential returns from investing in these companies, and to monitor the activities and performance of these investments. To the extent that we (or other clients of the Adviser) may hold a larger number of investments, greater demands will be placed on the Adviser’s time, resources and personnel in monitoring such investments, which may result in less attention being paid to any individual investment and greater risk that our investment decisions may not be fully informed. Additionally, these companies and their financial information will not generally be subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules that govern public companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments.

 

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Certain investment analyses and decisions by the Adviser may be required to be undertaken on an expedited basis.

Investment analyses and decisions by the Adviser may be required to be undertaken on an expedited basis to take advantage of certain investment opportunities. While we generally will not seek to make an investment until the Adviser has conducted sufficient due diligence to make a determination as to the acceptability of the credit quality of the investment and the underlying issuer, in such cases, the information available to the Adviser at the time of making an investment decision may be limited. Therefore, no assurance can be given that the Adviser will have knowledge of all circumstances that may adversely affect an investment. In addition, the Adviser may rely upon independent consultants in connection with its evaluation of proposed investments. No assurance can be given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by such independent consultants and we may incur liability as a result of such consultants’ actions, many of whom we will have limited recourse against in the event of any such inaccuracies.

We may not have the funds or ability to make additional investments in our portfolio companies.

After our initial investment in a portfolio company, we may be called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such company or have the opportunity to increase our investment through the exercise of a warrant or other right to purchase common stock. There is no assurance that we will make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Even if we do have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our level of risk, we prefer other opportunities, we are limited in our ability to do so by compliance with BDC requirements or in order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC. Our ability to make follow-on investments may also be limited by the Adviser’s allocation policies. Any decision not to make a follow-on investment or any inability on our part to make such an investment may have a negative impact on a portfolio company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful investment or may reduce the expected return to us on the investment.

We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility.

Our business faces increasing public scrutiny related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) activities. We risk damage to our brand and reputation if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as environmental stewardship, corporate governance and transparency and considering ESG factors in our investment processes. Adverse incidents with respect to ESG activities could impact the value of our brand, the cost of our operations and relationships with investors, all of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Additionally, new regulatory initiatives related to ESG could adversely affect our business.

Because we have received the approval of our sole initial shareholder, we will be subject to 150% Asset Coverage.

Certain provisions of the 1940 Act allow a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met. The reduced asset coverage requirement would permit a BDC to double the amount of leverage it can incur. For example, under a 150% asset coverage ratio the Company may borrow $2 for investment purposes of every $1 of investor equity whereas under a 200% asset coverage ratio the Company may borrow only $1 for investment purposes for every $1 of investor equity. The Adviser, as our sole initial Shareholder, has approved a proposal that allows us to reduce our asset coverage ratio to 150%.

Leverage magnifies the potential for loss on investments in our indebtedness and on invested equity capital. As we may use leverage to partially finance our investments, you will experience increased risks of investing in our securities. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged our business. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net investment income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net investment income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to pay common stock dividends, scheduled debt payments or other payments related to our securities. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. See “— Risks Related to Our Business — To the extent that we borrow money, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us will be magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us. Borrowed money may also adversely affect the return on our assets, reduce cash available to service our debt or for distribution to our Shareholders, and result in losses.

 

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Risks Related to our Common Stock

Our shares are not listed on an exchange or quoted through a quotation system and will not be listed for the foreseeable future, if ever. Therefore, our Shareholders will have limited liquidity.

Our shares are illiquid investments for which there is not a secondary market nor is it expected that any such secondary market will develop in the future. Our Common Stock will not be registered under the 1933 Act, or any state securities law and will be restricted as to transfer by law and the terms of our charter. Shareholders generally may not sell, assign or transfer their shares without prior written consent of the Adviser, which the Adviser may grant or withhold in its sole discretion. Except in limited circumstances for legal or regulatory purposes, Shareholders are not entitled to redeem their shares of our Common Stock. Shareholders must be prepared to bear the economic risk of an investment in us for an indefinite period of time.

We do not know at this time what circumstances will exist in the future and therefore we do not know what factors the Board will consider in determining whether to conduct an Exchange Listing. If we do undertake an Exchange Listing, we cannot assure you a public trading market will develop or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained. Shares of companies offered in an initial public offering often trade at a discount to the initial offering price due to underwriting discounts and related offering expenses. Also, shares of closed-end investment companies and business development companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share of common stock may decline. We cannot predict whether our Common Stock, if listed on a national securities exchange, will trade at, above or below net asset value.

A Shareholder’s interest in us will be diluted if we issue additional shares, which could reduce the overall value of an investment in us.

Our Shareholders do not have preemptive rights to purchase any shares we issue in the future. Our charter authorizes us to issue up to 500 million shares of Common Stock. Pursuant to our charter, a majority of our entire Board may amend our charter to increase the number of shares of Common Stock we may issue without Shareholder approval. The Board may elect to sell additional shares in the future or issue equity interests in private offerings. To the extent we issue additional equity interests at or below net asset value, your percentage ownership interest in us may be diluted. In addition, depending upon the terms and pricing of any additional offerings and the value of our investments, you may also experience dilution in the book value and fair value of your shares.

Under the 1940 Act, we generally are prohibited from issuing or selling our Common Stock at a price below net asset value per share, which may be a disadvantage as compared with certain public companies. We may, however, sell our Common Stock, or warrants, options, or rights to acquire our Common Stock, at a price below the current net asset value of our Common Stock if the Board and independent directors determine that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our Shareholders, and our Shareholders, including a majority of those Shareholders that are not affiliated with us, approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of the Board, closely approximates the fair value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). If we raise additional funds by issuing Common Stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our Common Stock, then the percentage ownership of our Shareholders at that time will decrease and you will experience dilution.

Certain provisions of our charter and actions of the Board could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the value of shares of our Common Stock.

Our charter, as well as certain statutory and regulatory requirements, contain certain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire us. The Board is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms, which could prevent Shareholders from removing a majority of directors in any given election. The Board may, without Shareholder action, authorize the issuance of shares in one or more classes or series, including shares of preferred stock; and the Board may, without Shareholder action, amend our charter to increase the number of shares of our Common Stock, of any class or series, that we will have authority to issue. These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change of control in circumstances that could give the holders of shares of our Common Stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the value of shares of our Common Stock.

 

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Investing in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options, including volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our Common Stock may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.

The net asset value of our Common Stock may fluctuate significantly.

The net asset value and liquidity, if any, of the market for shares of our Common Stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

 

   

changes in the value of our portfolio of investments and derivative instruments as a result of changes in market factors, such as interest rate shifts, and also portfolio specific performance, such as portfolio company defaults, among other reasons;

 

   

changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or business development companies;

 

   

loss of RIC tax treatment or BDC status;

 

   

distributions that exceed our net investment income and net income as reported according to U.S. GAAP;

 

   

changes in earnings or variations in operating results;

 

   

changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments;

 

   

any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors;

 

   

departure of the Adviser or certain of its key personnel;

 

   

general economic trends and other external factors; and

 

   

loss of a major funding source.

Shareholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.

All distributions declared in cash payable to Shareholders that are participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will generally be automatically reinvested in shares of our Common Stock if the investor opts in to the plan. As a result, Shareholders that do not elect to participate in our dividend reinvestment plan may experience dilution over time. Shareholders who do not elect to participate in dividend reinvestment plan may experience accretion to the net asset value of their shares if our shares are trading at a premium to net asset value and dilution if our shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The level of accretion or discount would depend on various factors, including the proportion of our Shareholders who participate in the plan, the level of premium or discount at which our shares are trading and the amount of the distribution payable to Shareholders.

The existence of a large number of outstanding shares and Shareholders prior to an Exchange Listing could negatively affect our stock price.

The ability of our Shareholders to liquidate their investments will be limited. If we were to conduct an Exchange Listing in the future, a large volume of sales of our shares could decrease the prevailing market prices of our Common Stock and could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities in the future. The ability of our Shareholders to liquidate their investments would be limited during the Lock-Up Period; however, the mere perception of the possibility of these sales could depress the market price of our Common Stock and have a negative effect on our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, anticipated downward pressure on our Common Stock price due to actual or anticipated sales of Common Stock from this market overhang could cause some institutions or individuals to engage in short sales of our Common Stock, which may itself cause the price of our stock to decline.

 

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Preferred stock could be issued with rights and preferences that would adversely affect holders of our Common Stock.

Under the terms of our charter, the Board is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without Shareholder approval, which could potentially adversely affect the interests of existing Shareholders.

If we issue preferred stock or convertible debt securities, the net asset value of our Common Stock may become more volatile.

We cannot assure you that the issuance of preferred stock and/or convertible debt securities would result in a higher yield or return to the holders of our Common Stock. The issuance of preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt would likely cause the net asset value of our Common Stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the convertible debt securities, were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of such leverage to the holders of our Common Stock would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the convertible debt securities, were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the holders of Common Stock than if we had not issued the preferred stock or convertible debt securities. Any decline in the net asset value of our investment would be borne entirely by the holders of our Common Stock. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of our Common Stock than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities. This decline in net asset value would also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price, if any, for our Common Stock.

There is also a risk that, in the event of a sharp decline in the value of our net assets, we would be in danger of failing to maintain required asset coverage ratios, which may be required by the preferred stock or convertible debt, or our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock or the interest payments on the debt securities. In order to counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments in order to fund the redemption of some or all of the preferred stock, debt securities or convertible debt. In addition, we would pay (and the holders of our Common Stock would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred stock, convertible debt, or any combination of these securities. Holders of preferred stock or convertible debt may have different interests than holders of Common Stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over our affairs.

Holders of any preferred stock that we may issue will have the right to elect certain members of the Board and have class voting rights on certain matters.

The 1940 Act requires that holders of shares of preferred stock must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more, until such arrearage is eliminated. In addition, certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion to open-end status and, accordingly, preferred shareholders could veto any such changes. Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of our Common Stock and preferred stock, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies, might impair our ability to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

We do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal controls.

We are not required to comply with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, including the internal control evaluation and certification requirements of Section 404 of that statute (“Section 404”), and will not be required to comply with all of those requirements until we have been subject to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act for a specified period of time or the date we are no longer an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. Accordingly, our internal controls over financial reporting do not currently meet all of the standards contemplated by Section 404 that we will eventually be required to meet. We are in the process of building out our internal controls over financial reporting and establishing formal procedures, policies, processes and practices related to financial reporting and to the identification of key financial reporting risks, assessment of their potential impact and linkage of those risks to specific areas and activities within the Company.

Additionally, we have begun the process of documenting our internal control procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, which requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting. Our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC, or the date we are no longer an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. Because we do not currently have comprehensive documentation of our internal controls and have not

 

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yet tested our internal controls in accordance with Section 404, we cannot conclude in accordance with Section 404 that we do not have a material weakness in our internal controls or a combination of significant deficiencies that could result in the conclusion that we have a material weakness in our internal controls. As a public entity, we will be required to complete our initial assessment in a timely manner. If we are not able to implement the requirements of Section 404 in a timely manner or with adequate compliance, our operations, financial reporting or financial results could be adversely affected. Matters impacting our internal controls may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules, and result in a breach of the covenants under the agreements governing any of its financing arrangements. There could also be a negative reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of investor confidence in us and the reliability of our financial statements. Confidence in the reliability of our financial statements could also suffer if we or our independent registered public accounting firm were to report a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting. This could materially adversely affect us and, following a Liquidity Event, lead to a decline in the market price of the Common Stock.

Federal Income Tax Risks

We cannot predict how tax reform legislation will affect us, our investments, or our Shareholders, and any such legislation could adversely affect our business.

Legislative or other actions relating to taxes could have a negative effect on us. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department. For example, in December 2017, Congress passed tax reform legislation that made many changes to the Code, including significant changes to the taxation of business entities, the deductibility of interest expense, and the tax treatment of capital investment. We cannot predict with certainty how any changes in the tax laws might affect us, our Shareholders, or our portfolio investments. New legislation and any U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions interpreting such legislation could significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to us and our Shareholders of such qualification, or could have other adverse consequences. Shareholders are urged to consult with their tax advisor regarding tax legislative, regulatory, or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our securities.

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to qualify for and maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or if we make investments through taxable subsidiaries.

To qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet the following minimum annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business–Tax and ERISA Considerations–Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.

The Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our Shareholders on an annual basis at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses. In addition, a RIC may, in certain cases, satisfy the 90% distribution requirement by distributing dividends relating to a taxable year after the close of such taxable year under the “spillback dividend” provisions of Subchapter M. We would be taxed, at regular corporate rates, on retained income and/or gains, including any short-term capital gains or long-term capital gains. Because we may use debt financing, we are subject to (i) an asset coverage ratio requirement under the 1940 Act and may, in the future, be subject to (ii) certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, or choose or are required to retain a portion of our taxable income or gains, we could (1) be required to pay excise taxes and (2) fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment, and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income (including gains).

The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our annual income from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities, or other income derived from the business of investing in stock or securities.

 

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The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. Specifically, at least 50% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash-equivalents (including receivables), U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other acceptable securities if such securities or any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and no more than 25% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.

If we fail to qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution, and the amount of our distributions.

We may invest in certain debt and equity investments through taxable subsidiaries and the net taxable income of these taxable subsidiaries will be subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. We may invest in certain foreign debt and equity investments which could be subject to foreign taxes (such as income tax, withholding, and value added taxes).

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, since we will likely hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having OID (such as debt instruments with PIK, secondary market purchases of debt securities at a discount to par, interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as unrealized appreciation for foreign currency forward contracts and deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock. Furthermore, we may invest in non-U.S. corporations (or other non-U.S. entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that could be treated under the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations as “passive foreign investment companies” and/or “controlled foreign corporations.” The rules relating to investment in these types of non-U.S. entities are designed to ensure that U.S. taxpayers are either, in effect, taxed currently (or on an accelerated basis with respect to corporate-level events) or taxed at increased tax rates at distribution or disposition. In certain circumstances this could require us to recognize income where we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash.

Unrealized appreciation on derivatives, such as foreign currency forward contracts, may be included in taxable income while the receipt of cash may occur in a subsequent period when the related contract expires. Any unrealized depreciation on investments that the foreign currency forward contracts are designed to hedge are not currently deductible for tax purposes. This can result in increased taxable income whereby we may not have sufficient cash to pay distributions or we may opt to retain such taxable income and pay a 4% excise tax. In such cases we could still rely upon the “spillback provisions” to maintain RIC tax treatment.

We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute OID or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discounts with respect to debt securities acquired in the secondary market and include such amounts in our taxable income in the current year, instead of upon disposition, as an election not to do so would limit our ability to deduct interest expenses for tax purposes. Because any OID or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our Shareholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even if we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the Annual Distribution Requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital, make a partial share distribution, or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, and choose not to make a qualifying share distribution, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

 

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If we are not treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” as defined in the Code, certain U.S. shareholders will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. shareholders’ allocable share of the base management fee and incentive fees paid to the Adviser and some of our expenses, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. shareholders.

A “publicly offered regulated investment company” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering within the meaning of Section 4 of the 1933 Act, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. While we anticipate that we will constitute a publicly offered RIC, there can be no assurance that we will in fact so qualify for any of our taxable years. If we are not treated as a publicly offered regulated investment company for any calendar year, each U.S. shareholder that is an individual, trust or estate will be treated as having received a dividend from us in the amount of such U.S. shareholder’s allocable share of the base management fee and incentive fees paid to the Adviser and certain of our other expenses for the calendar year, and these fees and expenses will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions of such U.S. shareholder. Individuals are not allowed to take miscellaneous itemized deductions for the 2018 through 2025 tax years, such deductions are not deductible for purposes of the alternative minimum tax and are subject to the overall limitation on itemized deductions under the Code.

General Risk Factors

There is uncertainty surrounding potential legal, regulatory and policy changes by new presidential administrations in the United States that may directly affect financial institutions and the global economy.

As a result of the United States presidential election, which occurred on November 3, 2020, commencing January 2021, the Democratic Party gained control of the executive and legislative branches of government. Changes in federal policy, including tax policies, and at regulatory agencies occur over time through policy and personnel changes following elections, which lead to changes involving the level of oversight and focus on the financial services industry or the tax rates paid by corporate entities. The nature, timing and economic and political effects of potential changes to the current legal and regulatory framework affecting financial institutions remain highly uncertain. Uncertainty surrounding future changes may adversely affect our operating environment and therefore our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.

We cannot predict how new tax legislation will affect us, our investments, or our stockholders, and any such legislation could adversely affect our business.

Legislative or other actions relating to taxes could have a negative effect on us. The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury Department. The Biden Administration has proposed significant changes to the existing U.S. tax rules, and there are a number of proposals in Congress that would similarly modify the existing U.S. tax rules. The likelihood of any such legislation being enacted is uncertain, but new legislation and any U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations or court decisions interpreting such legislation could significantly and negatively affect our ability to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to us and our investors of such qualification, or could have other adverse consequences. Investors are urged to consult with their tax advisor regarding tax legislative, regulatory, or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in our common stock.

Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.

We and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation at the local, state, and federal levels. Changes to the laws and regulations governing our permitted investments may require a change to our investment strategy. Such changes could differ materially from our strategies and plans as set forth in this Registration Statement and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of the Adviser. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment in us.

 

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Government intervention in the credit markets could adversely affect our business.

The central banks and, in particular, the U.S. Federal Reserve, have taken unprecedented steps since the financial crises of 2008-2009 and the COVID-19 global pandemic. It is impossible to predict if, how, and to what extent the United States and other governments would further intervene in the credit markets. Such intervention is often prompted by politically sensitive issues involving family homes, student loans, real estate speculation, credit card receivables, pandemics, etc., and could, as a result, be contrary to what we would predict from an “economically rational” perspective.

Changes to United States tariff and import/export regulations may have a negative effect on our portfolio companies and, in turn, harm us.

As a result of the 2020 U.S. election, the Democratic Party currently controls the executive branch of government. Significant changes to U.S. trade policy may occur as a result of the administration change, including the United States re-entering, withdrawing from or renegotiate various trade agreements or other actions that would change current trade policies of the United States. We cannot predict which, if any, of these actions will be taken or, if taken, their effect on the financial stability of the United States. Such actions could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our Bylaws include an exclusive forum selection provision, which could limit our Shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other agents.

Our Bylaws require that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (or, if that court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any standard of conduct or legal duty owed by any of the Company’s director, officer or other agent to the Company or to its shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or the Charter or the Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum selection provision in our Bylaws will not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws, including the 1933 Act and the Exchange Act. There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a provision, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, this provision may increase costs for shareholders in bringing a claim against us or our directors, officers or other agents. Any investor purchasing or otherwise acquiring our shares is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provision. The exclusive forum selection provision in our Bylaws may limit our Shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other agents, which may discourage lawsuits against us and such persons. It is also possible that, notwithstanding such exclusive forum selection provision, a court could rule that such provision is inapplicable or unenforceable. If this occurred, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in another forum, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may expend significant financial and other resources to comply with the requirements of being a public entity.

As we intend to be a public entity, we will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Exchange Act requires that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting, which are discussed below. In order to maintain and improve the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls, significant resources and management oversight are required. We have implemented procedures, processes, policies and practices for the purpose of addressing the standards and requirements applicable to public companies. These activities may divert management’s attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We expect to incur significant annual expenses related to these steps and, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees, reporting requirements of the SEC, transfer agent fees, additional administrative expenses payable to the Administrator to compensate them for hiring accounting, legal and administrative personnel, increased auditing and legal fees and similar expenses.

The systems and resources necessary to comply with public company reporting requirements will increase further once we cease to be an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act. As long as we remain an emerging growth company, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are

 

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applicable to other public companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We expect to remain an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of our initial public offering of common equity securities or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues exceed $1.07 billion, (ii) December 31 of the fiscal year that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter and we have been publicly reporting for at least 12 months or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the preceding three-year period.

We may experience fluctuations in our operating results.

We may experience fluctuations in our operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, interest rates and default rates on the debt investments we make, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized gains or losses, unrealized appreciation or depreciation, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets, and general economic conditions. These occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, the value of your investment in us and our ability to pay distributions to you and our other shareholders.

Internal and external cyber threats, as well as other disasters, could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.

The occurrence of a disaster, such as a cyber-attack against us or against a third-party that has access to our data or networks, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, failure of our disaster recovery systems, or consequential employee error, could have an adverse effect on our ability to communicate or conduct business, negatively impacting our operations and financial condition. This adverse effect can become particularly acute if those events affect our electronic data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems, or impact the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of our data.

We depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Despite our implementation of a variety of security measures, our computer systems, networks, and data, like those of other companies, could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction, such as from physical and electronic break-ins or unauthorized tampering. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary, and other information processed, stored in, and transmitted through our computer systems and networks. Such an attack could cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in financial losses, litigation, regulatory penalties, client dissatisfaction or loss, reputational damage, and increased costs associated with mitigation of damages and remediation.

Third parties with which we do business may also be sources of cybersecurity or other technological risk. We outsource certain functions and these relationships allow for the storage and processing of our information, as well as client, counterparty, employee, and borrower information. While we engage in actions to reduce our exposure resulting from outsourcing, ongoing threats may result in unauthorized access, loss, exposure, destruction, or other cybersecurity incidents that adversely affects our data, resulting in increased costs and other consequences as described above.

The service providers we may use may be impacted by quarantines and similar measures being enacted by governments in response to COVID-19, which are obstructing the regular functioning of business workforces (including requiring employees to work from external locations and their homes). In response to the outbreak, the Adviser instituted a work from home policy until it is deemed safe to return to the office. Policies of extended periods of remote working, whether by us or our service providers, could strain technology resources, introduce operational risks and otherwise heighten the risks described above. Remote working environments may be less secure and more susceptible to hacking attacks, including phishing and social engineering attempts that seek to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the risks described above are heightened under current conditions.

Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies by causing a disruption to our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information or the confidential information of our portfolio companies and/or damage to our business relationships or the business relationships of our portfolio companies, all of which could negatively impact the business, financial condition and operating results of us or our portfolio companies.

 

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A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the information resources of us or our portfolio companies. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems or those of our portfolio companies for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Despite careful security and controls design, the information technology systems of the portfolio companies in which we may invest and third-party vendors that we may use, may be subject to security breaches and cyber-attacks the result of which could include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to business relationships. As our and our portfolio companies’ and our third-party vendors’ reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by third-party service providers, and the information systems of our portfolio companies and third-party vendors. We have implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber-incident, do not guarantee that a cyber-incident will not occur and/or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident. Further, the remote working conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have heightened our and our portfolio companies’ vulnerability to a cybersecurity risk or incident.

THE FOREGOING IS A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN SIGNIFICANT RISKS RELATING TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY. THIS SUMMARY OF RISKS SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS A REPRESENTATION THAT THE MATTERS REFERRED TO ABOVE ARE THE ONLY RISKS INVOLVED WITH THIS INVESTMENT, NOR SHOULD THE REFERENCES TO THE RISKS BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION THAT THE MAGNITUDE OF SUCH RISKS IS NECESSARILY EQUAL. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN LEGAL COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS FOR ADVICE IN RELATION TO THIS OFFERING.

 

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ITEM 2. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland on October 5, 2021. Immediately after filing this Registration Statement, we intend to file with the SEC an election to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also intend to elect to be treated, and intend to qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a BDC and a RIC, we will be required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. As a BDC, we are required to comply with various regulatory requirements, such as the requirement to invest at least 70% of our assets in “qualifying assets,” source of income limitations, asset diversification requirements, and the requirement to distribute annually at least 90% of our taxable income and tax-exempt interest. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Regulation as a Business Development Company” and “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences — Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company.” We have adopted a policy to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our assets in technology-related companies. In addition, we will not invest more than 20% of our total assets in companies whose principal place of business is outside the United States.

Revenues

We plan to generate revenues in the form of interest income from the debt securities we hold and dividends and capital appreciation on either direct equity investments or equity interests obtained in connection with originating loans, such as options, warrants or conversion rights. The debt we invest in will typically not be rated by any rating agency, but if it were, it is likely that such debt would be below investment grade. In addition, we may also generate revenue in the form of commitment, loan origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance to our portfolio companies, and possibly consulting fees. Certain of these fees may be capitalized and amortized as additional interest income over the life of the related loan.

Expenses

Except as specifically provided below, we anticipate that all investment professionals and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the base compensation, bonus and benefits, and the routine overhead expenses, of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by the Adviser. In addition, the Adviser shall be solely responsible for any placement or “finder’s” fees payable to placement agents engaged by the Company or its affiliates in connection with the offering of securities by the Company. We will bear our allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of our officers who provide operational and administrative services hereunder, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to us (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to us. We shall reimburse the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business affairs and in acting on our behalf). We also will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including, but not limited to (i) investment advisory fees, including Management Fees and Incentive Fees, to the Adviser, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement; (ii) our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses (including rent, office equipment and utilities) incurred by the Adviser in performing its administrative obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, and (iii) all other expenses of its operations and transactions including, without limitation, those relating to:

 

   

the cost of our organization and any offerings;

 

   

the cost of calculating our net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services;

 

   

the cost of effecting any sales and repurchases of the Common Stock and other securities;

 

   

fees and expenses payable under any dealer manager agreements, if any;

 

   

debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements;

 

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costs of hedging;

 

   

expenses, including travel expense, incurred by the Adviser, or members of the Investment Team, or payable to third parties, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing our rights;

 

   

escrow agent, transfer agent and custodial fees and expenses;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts;

 

   

federal and state registration fees, any stock exchange listing fees and fees payable to rating agencies;

 

   

federal, state and local taxes;

 

   

independent directors’ fees and expenses, including certain travel expenses;

 

   

costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records and filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration fees, listing fees and licenses, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation of the foregoing;

 

   

the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to Shareholders (including printing and mailing costs),

 

   

the costs of any Shareholder or director meetings and the compensation of personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters;

 

   

commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers;

 

   

research and market data;

 

   

fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums;

 

   

direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff;

 

   

fees and expenses associated with independent audits, outside legal and consulting costs;

 

   

costs of winding up;

 

   

costs incurred in connection with the formation or maintenance of entities or vehicles to hold our assets for tax or other purposes;

 

   

extraordinary expenses (such as litigation or indemnification); and

 

   

costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the 1940 Act and applicable federal and state securities laws.

Hedging

We may, but are not required to, enter into interest rate, foreign exchange or other derivative agreements to hedge interest rate, currency, credit or other risks, but we do not generally intend to enter into any such derivative agreements for speculative purposes. Any derivative agreements entered into for speculative purposes are not expected to be material to our business or results of operations. These hedging activities, which will be in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, may include the use of futures, options and forward contracts. We will bear the costs incurred in connection with entering into, administering and settling any such derivative contracts. There can be no assurance any hedging strategy we employ will be successful.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

As we have not yet commenced commercial activities, the only transaction to date has been the receipt of an initial capital contribution of $1,500 from the Adviser, our initial Shareholder, in exchange for 100 shares of our securities. We expect to generate cash primarily from (i) the net proceeds of the Private Offering, (ii) cash flows from our operations, (iii) any financing arrangements we may enter into in the future and (iv) any future offerings of our equity or debt securities. We may fund a portion of our investments through borrowings from banks and issuances of senior securities.

Our primary use of cash will be for (i) investments in portfolio companies and other investments to comply with certain portfolio diversification requirements, (ii) the cost of operations (including paying the Adviser), (iii) debt service of any borrowings and (iv) cash distributions to the holders of our Common Stock.

 

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Contractual Obligations

We have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement and an Administration Agreement with the Adviser to provide us with investment advisory services and administrative services. Payments for investment advisory services under the Investment Advisory Agreements and reimbursements under the Administration Agreement are described in “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Investment Advisory Agreement,” “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Administration Agreement,” and “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Payment of Our Expenses under the Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements.”

We intend to establish one or more credit facilities and/or subscription facilities or enter into other financing arrangements to facilitate investments and the timely payment of our expenses. It is anticipated that any such credit facilities will bear interest at floating rates at to be determined spreads over LIBOR. We cannot assure Shareholders that we will be able to enter into a credit facility on favorable terms or at all. In connection with a credit facility or other borrowings, lenders may require us to pledge assets, commitments and/or drawdowns (and the ability to enforce the payment thereof) and may ask to comply with positive or negative covenants that could have an effect on our operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We may become a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of our business to fund investments and to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. These instruments may include commitments to extend credit and involve, to varying degrees, elements of liquidity and credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. We plan to invest primarily in illiquid debt and equity securities of private companies. Most of our investments will not have a readily available market price, and we will value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors in accordance with our valuation policy. There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments we make. See “Item 9. Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters—Valuation of Portfolio Securities.”

Related Parties

See “Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” for a description of certain transactions and relationships with related parties.

 

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ITEM 3. PROPERTIES

Our corporate headquarters are located at 399 Park Avenue, 38th floor, New York, New York 10022 and are provided by the Adviser in accordance with the terms of the Administration Agreement. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is contemplated to be conducted.

 

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ITEM 4. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth, as of December 1, 2021, certain ownership information with respect to our Common Stock for those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote, five percent or more of our outstanding Common Stock and all officers and directors, as a group.

Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 100 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of December 1, 2021. Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that each beneficial owner set forth in the table has sole voting and investment power over such shares.

 

Name and Address

   Number of
Shares Owned
     Percentage of
class outstanding
 

5% Owners

     

Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC

     100        100

Interested Directors(1)

     

Craig W. Packer

     —          —    

Alan Kirshenbaum

     —          —    

Independent Directors(1)

     

Edward D’Alelio

     —          —    

Brian Finn

     —          —    

Eric Kaye

     —          —    

Christopher M. Temple

     —          —    

Melissa Weiler

     —          —    

Victor Woolridge

     —          —    

Executive Officers(1)

     

Karen Hager

     —          —    

Bryan Cole

     —          —    

Matthew Swatt

     —          —    

Shari Withem

     —          —    

Alexis Maged

     —          —    

Neena Reddy

     —          —    

Jonathan Lamm

     —          —    

All officers and directors as a group (15 persons)

     —          —    

Shares Outstanding as of Filing Date

        100  

 

(1)

The address for each of the directors and officers is c/o Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II, 399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, New York 10022.

 

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ITEM 5. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The responsibilities of the Board of Directors include, among other things, the oversight of our investment activities, the quarterly valuation of our assets, oversight of its financing arrangements and corporate governance activities. The Board of Directors consists of seven members, four of whom are not “interested persons” of the Company or of the Adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and are “independent,” as determined by the Board of Directors. These individuals are referred to as independent directors. The Board of Directors elects our executive officers, who serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Board of Directors and Executive Officers

Directors

Under the Charter, the directors are divided into three classes. Directors of each class will hold office for terms ending at the third annual meeting of Shareholders after their election and when their respective successors are elected and qualify. However, the initial members of the three classes of directors have initial terms ending at the first, second and third annual meeting of Shareholders after the Initial Closing, respectively. Each director will hold office for the term to which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

Information regarding the Board of Directors is as follows:

 

Name

  

Year of

Birth

  

Position

  

Number of

Companies in

Fund Complex(1)
Overseen by Director

  

Director

Since

  

Expiration

of Term

Interested Directors:               
Craig W. Packer    1966    Director, Chief Executive Officer and President    7    2021    2022(2)
Alan Kirshenbaum    1971    Director and Executive Vice President    2    2021    2022(2)
Independent Directors:               
Edward D’Alelio    1952    Chairman of the Board, Director    7    2021    2022(2)
Brian Finn    1960    Director    7    2021    2023(2)
Eric Kaye    1963    Director    7    2021    2023(2)
Christopher M. Temple    1967    Director    7    2021    2024(2)
Melissa Weiler    1964    Director    7    2021    2024(2)
Victor Woolridge    1957    Director    7    2021    2023(2)

 

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(1)

The term “Fund Complex” refers to the Owl Rock BDCs, including the Company. Directors who oversee more than one fund in the Fund Complex are noted.

(2)

Following the Initial Closing, the directors will be divided into three classes and directors of each class will hold office for terms ending at the third annual meeting of Shareholders after their election and when their respective successors are elected and qualify.

Executive Officers who are Not Directors

Information regarding the Company’s executive officers who are not directors is as follows:

 

Name

  

Year of

Birth

  

Position

Karen Hager    1972    Chief Compliance Officer
Jonathan Lamm    1974    Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Bryan Cole    1984    Chief Accounting Officer
Matthew Swatt    1988    Co-Treasurer and Co-Controller
Shari Withem    1983    Co-Treasurer and Co-Controller
Alexis Maged    1965    Vice President
Neena Reddy    1978    Vice President and Secretary

Biographical Information

Directors

Our directors have been divided into two groups — interested directors and independent directors. An interested director is an “interested person” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

Interested Directors

Mr. Packer is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Owl Rock BDCs, the Co-Chief Investment Officer of each of the Owl Rock Advisers, is a member of the Investment Committee of each of the Owl Rock Advisers, and was a Co-Founder of Owl Rock Capital Partners. Mr. Packer is also a Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director of Blue Owl, a member of Blue Owl’s Executive Committee and a member of Blue Owl’s board of directors. In addition, Mr. Packer has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II since March 2016 and November 2016, respectively, on the Board of Directors of ORTF since August 2018, and on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC since February 2020 and September 2020, respectively, and on the board of directors of ORTIC since June 2021. Prior to co-founding Owl Rock, Mr. Packer was Co-Head of Leveraged Finance in the Americas at Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he served on the Firm-wide Capital Committee, Investment Banking Division (“IBD”) Operating Committee, IBD Client and Business Standards Committee and the IBD Risk Committee. Mr. Packer joined Goldman, Sachs & Co. as a Managing Director and Head of High Yield Capital Markets in 2006 and was named partner in 2008. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. Packer was the Global Head of High Yield Capital Markets at Credit Suisse First Boston, and before that he worked at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Mr. Packer serves as Treasurer and member of the Board of Trustees of Greenwich Academy, and Co-Chair of the Honorary Board of Kids in Crisis, a non-profit organization that serves children in Connecticut, and on the Advisory Board for the McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia. Mr. Packer earned a B.S. from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

The Company believes Mr. Packer’s depth of experience in corporate finance, capital markets and financial services gives the Board valuable industry-specific knowledge and expertise on these and other matters, and his history with the Company and the Adviser, provide an important skillset and knowledge base to the Board.

 

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Mr. Kirshenbaum is the Chief Financial Officer of Blue Owl and also serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Owl Rock Advisers, ORCC and ORTF, and the Chief Operating Officer of ORCC II and ORCC III and Executive Vice President of the Company and ORTIC. Mr. Kirshenbaum has served on the board of directors of ORTIC since June 2021. In addition, prior to May 19, 2021, Mr. Kirshenbaum has served on the boards of directors of ORCC, ORCC II, ORTF, ORCC III and ORCIC. Prior to Owl Rock, Mr. Kirshenbaum was Chief Financial Officer of Sixth Street Specialty Lending (fka TPG Specialty Lending, Inc.), a BDC traded on the NYSE (TSLX). Mr. Kirshenbaum was responsible for building and overseeing TSLX’s finance, treasury, accounting and operations functions from August 2011 through October 2015, including during its initial public offering in March 2014. From 2011 to 2013, Mr. Kirshenbaum also was Chief Financial Officer of TPG Special Situations Partners. From 2007 to 2011, Mr. Kirshenbaum was the Chief Financial Officer of Natsource, a private investment firm and, prior to that, Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of MainStay Investments. Mr. Kirshenbaum joined Bear Stearns Asset Management (“BSAM”) in 1999 and was BSAM’s Chief Financial Officer from 2003 to 2006. Before joining BSAM, Mr. Kirshenbaum worked in public accounting at KPMG and J.H. Cohn. Mr. Kirshenbaum is actively involved in a variety of non-profit organizations including the Boy Scouts of America and as trustee for the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Mr. Kirshenbaum also is a member of the Rutgers University Dean’s Cabinet. Mr. Kirshenbaum received a B.S. from Rutgers University and an M.B.A. from New York University Stern School of Business.

We believe Mr. Kirshenbaum’s finance and operations experience, including serving as chief financial officer for a BDC, as well as a history with us and the Adviser, provide an important skillset and knowledge base to the Board of Directors.

Independent Directors

Mr. D’Alelio was formerly a Managing Director and CIO for Fixed Income at Putnam Investments, Boston, where he served from 1989 until he retired in 2002. While at Putnam, he served on the Investment Policy Committee, which was responsible for oversight of all investments. He also sat on various Committees including attribution and portfolio performance. Prior to joining Putnam, he was a portfolio manager at Keystone Investments and prior to that, he was an Investment Analyst at The Hartford Ins. Co. Since 2002, Mr. D’Alelio has served as an Executive in Residence at the University of Mass., Boston — School of Management. He is also chair of the investment committee of the U Mass Foundation. He serves on the Advisory Committees of Ceres Farms. Since September 2009, he has served as director of Vermont Farmstead Cheese. Since January 2008 he has served on the board of Blackstone/GSO Long Short Credit Fund & Blackstone/GSO Sen. Flt Rate Fund. Since March 2016 and November 2016, he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II, respectively, since August 2018 he has served on the board of directors of ORTF, since February 2020 and September 2020 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC, respectively, and since June 2021, he has served on the board of directors of ORTIC. Mr. D’Alelio’s previous corporate board assignments include Archibald Candy, Doane Pet Care, Trump Entertainment Resorts and U Mass Memorial Hospital. Mr. D’Alelio is a graduate of the Univ. of Mass Boston and has an M.B.A. from Boston University.

The Company believes Mr. D’Alelio’s numerous management positions and broad experiences in the financial services sector provide him with skills and valuable insight in handling complex financial transactions and issues, all of which make him well qualified to serve on the Board.

Mr. Finn served as the Chief Executive Officer of Asset Management Finance Corporation from 2009 to March 2013 and as its Chairman from 2008 to March 2013. From 2004 to 2008, Mr. Finn was Chairman and Head of Alternative Investments at Credit Suisse Group. Mr. Finn has held many positions within Credit Suisse and its predecessor firms, including President of Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB), President of Investment Banking, Co-President of Institutional Securities, Chief Executive Officer of Credit Suisse USA and a member of the Office of the Chairman of CSFB. He was also a member of the Executive Board of Credit Suisse. Mr. Finn served as principal and partner of private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice from 1997 to 2002. Mr. Finn currently serves as Chairman of Covr Financial Technologies Corp., a director of The Scotts Miracle Gro Company, and WaveGuide Corporation, Chairman of Star Mountain Capital, a lower middle market credit investment firm, Investment Partner of Nyca Partners, a financial technology venture capital firm, a director of Sarcos Robotics and is CEO and a director of Rotor Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded ‘blank check’ company. Since March 2016 and November 2016, he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II, respectively, since August 2018 he has served on the board of directors of ORTF, since February 2020 and September 2020 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC, respectively, and since June 2021, he has served on the board of directors of ORTIC. Mr. Finn received a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

 

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The Company believes Mr. Finn’s numerous management positions and broad experiences in the financial services sector provide him with skills and valuable insight in handling complex financial transactions and issues, all of which make him well qualified to serve on the Board.

Mr. Kaye is the founder of Kayezen, LLC, a physical therapy and fitness equipment design company. Prior to founding Kayezen, LLC, Mr. Kaye served as a Vice Chairman and Managing Director of UBS Investment Bank, and a member of the division’s Global Operating and U.S. Executive Committees, from June 2001 to May 2012. For the majority of Mr. Kaye’s tenure with UBS, he was a Managing Director and led the firm’s Exclusive Sales and Divestitures Group, where he focused on advising middle market companies. Prior to joining UBS, Mr. Kaye has served as Global Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions for Robertson Stephens, an investment banking firm, from February 1998 to June 2001. Mr. Kaye joined Robertson Stephens from PaineWebber where he served as Executive Director and head of the firm’s Technology Mergers & Acquisitions team. Since March 2016 and November 2016 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II, respectively, since August 2018 he has served on the board of directors of ORTF, since February 2020 and September 2020 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC, respectively, and since June 2021, he has served on the board of directors of ORTIC. Mr. Kaye holds a B.A. from Union College and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.

The Company believes Mr. Kaye’s management positions and experiences in the middle market provide the Board with valuable insight.

Mr. Temple has served as President of DelTex Capital LLC (a private investment firm) since its founding in 2010. Mr. Temple has served as an Operating Executive/Senior Advisor for Tailwind Capital, LLC, a New York based middle market private equity firm since June 2011. Prior to forming DelTex Capital, Mr. Temple served as President of Vulcan Capital, the investment arm of Vulcan Inc., from May 2009 until December 2009 and as Vice President of Vulcan Capital from September 2008 to May 2009. Prior to joining Vulcan in September 2008, Mr. Temple served as a managing director at Tailwind Capital, LLC from May to August 2008. Prior to joining Tailwind, Mr. Temple was a managing director at Friend Skoler & Co., Inc. from May 2005 to May 2008. From April 1996 to December 2004, Mr. Temple was a managing director at Thayer Capital Partners. Mr. Temple started his career in the audit and tax departments of KPMG’s Houston office and was a licensed CPA from 1989 to 1993. Mr. Temple has served on the Board of Directors of Plains GP Holdings, L.P., the general partner of Plains All American Pipeline Company since November 2016 and has served as a member of the Plains GP Holdings, L.P. compensation committee since November 2020 and as a director of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P.’s (“PAA”) general partner from May 2009 to November 2016. He was a member of the PAA Audit Committee from 2009 to 2016. Prior public board service includes board and audit committee service for Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings from April 2011 to May 2016 and on the board and audit committee of Charter Communications Inc. from November 2009 through January 2011. In addition to public boards, as part of his role with Tailwind, Mr. Temple has served on private boards including Brawler Industries, and National HME and currently serves on the boards of Loenbro, Inc. and HMT, LLC. Since March 2016 and November 2016 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC and ORCC II, respectively, since August 2018 he has served on the board of directors of ORTF, since February 2020 and September 2020 he has served on the boards of directors of ORCC III and ORCIC, respectively, and since June 2021, he has served on the board of directors of ORTIC. Mr. Temple holds a B.B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Texas and an M.B.A. from Harvard.

The Company believes Mr. Temple’s broad investment management background, together with his financial and accounting knowledge, brings important and valuable skills to the Board.

Ms. Weiler was formerly a Managing Director and a member of the Management Committee of Crescent Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based asset management firm (“Crescent”), where she served from January 2011 until she retired in December 2020. During that time, Ms. Weiler was responsible for the oversight of Crescent’s CLO management business from July 2017 through December 2020, and managed several multi-strategy credit funds

 

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from January 2011 through June 2017. During her tenure at Crescent, she also served on the Risk Management and Diversity & Inclusion committees. From October 1995 to December 2010, Ms. Weiler was a Managing Director at Trust Company of the West, a Los Angeles-based asset management firm (“TCW”). At TCW, she managed several multi-strategy credit funds from July 2006 to December 2010, and served as lead portfolio manager for TCW’s high-yield bond strategy from October 1995 to June 2006. Ms. Weiler has served on the Board of Directors of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. since June 2021. She is a member of the Cedars-Sinai Board of Governors and is actively involved in 100 Women in Finance. Ms. Weiler holds a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Weiler joined the boards of ORCC, ORCC II, ORCC III, ORCIC, ORTF, and ORTIC in 2021.

The Company believes Ms. Weiler’s broad investment management background, together with her financial and accounting knowledge, brings important and valuable skills to the Board.

Mr. Woolridge was formerly a Managing Director of Barings Real Estate Advisers, LLC (“Barings”), the real estate investment unit of Barings LLC, a global asset management firm. Mr. Woolridge most recently served as Head of the U.S. Capital Markets for Equity Real Estate Funds at Barings. Mr. Woolridge previously served as Vice President and Managing Director and Head of Debt Capital Markets – Equities of Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC (prior to its rebranding under the Barings name) (“Cornerstone”) from January 2013 to September 2016 and as Vice President Special Servicing from January 2010 to January 2013. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Mr. Woolridge served as a Managing Director of Babson Capital Management LLC (“Babson”) from January 2000 to January 2010. Prior to joining Babson, Mr. Woolridge served as Director of Loan Originations and Assistant Regional Director of MassMutual Financial Group from September 1982 to January 2000. Since 2009, Mr. Woolridge has served on the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Board of Trustees and has previously served as Chairman of the Board and as Chairman of the Board’s Committee on Administration and Finance. Since 2019, Mr. Woolridge has served as Chairman of UMass Building Authority. Mr. Woolridge has also served on the UMass Foundation’s investment committee since 2021. Mr. Woolridge previously served on the Board of Trustees of Baystate Health from 2005 to 2016, which included service as Chairman of the Board and on the Board’s compensation, finance, governance and strategy committees. Mr. Woolridge holds a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member. Mr. Woolridge joined the boards of ORCC, ORCC II, ORCC III, ORCIC, ORTF, and ORTIC in 2021.

The Company believes Mr. Woolridge’s numerous management positions and broad experiences in the asset management and financial services sectors provide him with skills and valuable insight in handling complex financial transactions and issues, all of which make him well qualified to serve on the Board.

Information about Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors

Karen Hager

Ms. Hager is a Managing Director of Blue Owl and also serves as the Chief Compliance Officer of the Company, of each of the Owl Rock Advisers, and each of ORCC, ORCC II, ORCC III, ORTF, ORCIC and ORTIC (the “Existing BDCs”). Prior to joining Owl Rock in March 2018, Ms. Hager was Chief Compliance Officer at Abbott Capital Management. Previous to Abbott, Ms. Hager worked as SVP, Director of Global Compliance and Chief Compliance Officer at The Permal Group, and as Director of Compliance at Dominick & Dominick Advisors LLC. Prior to joining Dominick & Dominick Advisors LLC, Ms. Hager was a Senior Securities Compliance Examiner/Staff Accountant at the SEC. Ms. Hager received a B.S. in Accounting from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York.

Jonathan Lamm

Mr. Lamm is a Managing Director of Blue Owl, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, ORCC and ORTF and as a Vice President of ORCC II, ORCC III, ORCIC and ORTIC. Prior to joining Owl Rock, a division of Blue Owl, in April 2021, Mr. Lamm served as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of

 

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Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. (“GSBD”), a business development company traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Lamm was responsible for building and overseeing GSBD’s finance, treasury, accounting and operations functions from April 2013 through March 2021, including during its initial public offering in March 2015. During his time at Goldman Sachs, Mr. Lamm also served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit LLC, Goldman Sachs Private Middle Market Credit II LLC and Goldman Sachs Middle Market Lending Corp. prior to the completion of its merger with GSBD in October 2020. Throughout his twenty-two years at Goldman Sachs, Mr. Lamm held various positions. From 2013 to 2021, Mr. Lamm served as Managing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at GSAM Credit Alternatives. From 2007 to 2013, Mr. Lamm served as Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at GSAM Credit Alternatives. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Lamm served as Vice President in the Financial Reporting group and, from 1999 to 2005, he served as a Product Controller. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mr. Lamm worked in public accounting at Deloitte & Touche.

Bryan Cole

Mr. Cole is a Managing Director of Blue Owl and serves as the Chief Accounting Officer and Controller of the Company, ORCC and ORTF and as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ORCC II, ORCC III, ORCIC and ORTIC. Prior to joining Owl Rock in January 2016, Mr. Cole was Assistant Controller of Business Development Corporation of America, a non-traded BDC, where he was responsible for overseeing the finance, accounting, financial reporting, operations and internal controls functions. Preceding that role, Mr. Cole worked within the Financial Services — Alternative Investments practice of PwC where he specialized in financial reporting, fair valuation of illiquid investments and structured products, internal controls and other technical accounting matters pertaining to alternative investment advisers, hedge funds, business development companies and private equity funds. Mr. Cole received a B.S. in Accounting from Fordham University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New York.

Matthew Swatt

Mr. Swatt is a Principal of Blue Owl and serves as the Co-Controller and Co-Treasurer of the Company and each of the Existing BDCs. Mr. Swatt is also the Co-Chief Accounting Officer of ORCC II, ORCC III, ORCIC and ORTIC. Prior to joining Owl Rock in May 2016, Mr. Swatt was an Assistant Controller at Guggenheim Partners in their Private Credit group, where he was responsible for the finance, accounting, and financial reporting functions. Preceding that role, Mr. Swatt worked within the Financial Services—Alternative Investments practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP where he specialized in financial reporting, fair valuation of illiquid investments and structured products, internal controls and other technical accounting matters pertaining to alternative investment advisors, hedge funds, business development companies and private equity funds. Mr. Swatt received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New York.

Shari Withem

Ms. Withem is a Principal of Blue Owl and serves as the Co-Controller and Co-Treasurer of the Company and each of the Existing BDCs. Ms. Withem is also the Co-Chief Accounting Officer of ORCC II, ORCC III, ORTIC and ORCIC. Prior to joining Owl Rock in March 2018, Ms. Withem was Vice President of TPG Special Situation Partners, a business development company traded on the NYSE (TSLX), where she was responsible for accounting, financial reporting, treasury and internal controls functions. Preceding that role, Ms. Withem worked for MCG Capital Corporation, a business development company formerly traded on the Nasdaq (MCGC) and Deloitte in the Audit and Assurance Practice. Ms. Withem received a B.S. in Accounting from James Madison University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Virginia.

Alexis Maged

Mr. Maged is a Managing Director of Blue Owl and also serves as the Head of Credit for each of the Owl Rock Advisers and as Vice President of the Company and each of the Existing BDCs, and is a member of the Investment Committee of each of the Existing BDCs. Prior to joining Owl Rock in January 2016, Mr. Maged was Chief Financial Officer of Barkbox, Inc., a New York-based provider of pet-themed products and technology, from 2014 to 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Maged was a Managing Director with Goldman Sachs & Co. from 2007 until 2014. At

 

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Goldman Sachs & Co., Mr. Maged held several leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer of the investment bank’s Global Credit Finance businesses, Co-Chair of the Credit Markets Capital Committee and a member of the Firm-wide Capital Committee. Prior to assuming that role in 2011, Mr. Maged served as Chief Underwriting Officer for the Americas and oversaw the U.S. Bank Debt Portfolio Group and US Loan Negotiation Group. From mid-2007 to the end of 2008, Mr. Maged was Head of Bridge Finance Capital Markets in the Americas Financing Group’s Leveraged Finance Group, where he coordinated the firm’s High Yield Bridge Lending and Syndication business. Prior to joining Goldman, Sachs & Co, Mr. Maged was Head of the Bridge Finance Group at Credit Suisse and also worked in the Loan Capital Markets Group at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette. Upon DLJ’s merger with Credit Suisse in 2000, Mr. Maged joined Credit Suisse’s Syndicated Loan Group and, in 2003, founded its Bridge Finance Group. Earlier in his career, Mr. Maged was a member of the West Coast Sponsor Coverage Group at Citigroup and the Derivatives Group at Republic National Bank, as well as a founding member of the Loan Syndication Group at Swiss Bank Corporation. Mr. Maged received a B.A. from Vassar College and an M.B.A. from New York University Stern School of Business.

Neena Reddy

Ms. Reddy is the General Counsel and Secretary of Blue Owl, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of each of the Owl Rock Advisers and also serves as Vice President and Secretary of the Company and each of the Existing BDCs. Prior to joining Owl Rock in June 2019, Ms. Reddy was counsel at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, where she was responsible for direct alternative products, including private credit. Previously, Ms. Reddy was an attorney at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Ms. Reddy received a B.A. in English from Georgetown University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Reddy was a financial analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Board Leadership Structure

Our business and affairs will be managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Among other things, the Board of Directors will set broad policies for us and approve the appointment of our investment adviser, administrator and officers. The role of the Board of Directors, and of any individual director, is one of oversight and not of management of our day-to-day affairs.

Under our bylaws, the Board of Directors may designate one of our directors as chair to preside over meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of shareholders, and to perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors. The board of directors intends to appoint Edward D’Alelio, an independent director, to serve in the role of chairman of the Board of Directors. The chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, counsel and other directors generally between meetings. The chairman serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the directors. The chairman also may perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board of Directors from time to time. The board of directors reviews matters related to its leadership structure annually. The board of directors has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board of Directors to exercise informed and independent judgment over the matters under its purview and it allocates areas of responsibility among committees of directors and the full board in a manner that enhances effective oversight.

Our board of directors believes that its leadership structure is the optimal structure for us at this time. Our board of directors, which will review its leadership structure periodically as part of its annual self-assessment process, further believes that its structure is presently appropriate to enable it to exercise its oversight of us.

Board Role in Risk Oversight

Our board of directors performs its risk oversight function primarily through (i) its standing committees, which report to the entire board of directors and are comprised solely of independent directors, and (ii) active monitoring of our chief compliance officer and our compliance policies and procedures. Oversight of other risks is delegated to the committees.

 

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Oversight of our investment activities extends to oversight of the risk management processes employed by the Adviser as part of its day-to-day management of our investment activities. The board of directors anticipates reviewing risk management processes at both regular and special board meetings throughout the year, consulting with appropriate representatives of the Adviser as necessary and periodically requesting the production of risk management reports or presentations. The goal of the board of director’s risk oversight function is to ensure that.

Committees

The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee and a Nominating Committee and may form additional committees in the future.

Audit Committee

The audit committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) operates pursuant to a charter approved by the Board of Directors. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the Audit Committee. The primary function of the Audit Committee will be to serve as an independent and objective party to assist the Board of Directors in selecting, engaging and discharging our independent accountants, reviewing the plans, scope and results of the audit engagement with our independent accountants, approving professional services provided by our independent accountants (including compensation therefore), reviewing the independence of our independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of our internal controls over financial reporting. The Audit Committee is composed of six persons, including Messrs. D’Alelio, Finn, Kaye, Temple and Woolridge, and Ms. Weiler, all of whom are considered independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Christopher Temple serves as the chair of the Audit Committee. Our board of directors has determined that Brian Finn and Christopher Temple qualify as “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Item 407 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act. Each of the members of the Audit Committee meet the independence requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and, in addition, is not an “interested person” of the Company or of the Adviser as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

Each member of the Audit Committee simultaneously serves on the audit committees of three or more public companies, and the Board of Directors has determined that each member’s simultaneous service on the audit committees of other public companies does not impair such member’s ability to effectively serve on the Audit Committee.

A copy of charter of the Audit Committee is available in print to any shareholder who requests it and it is also available on the Company’s website at www.owlrockbdcs.com.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee of the Board of Directors (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”) operates pursuant to a charter approved by the Board of Directors. The charter sets forth the responsibilities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, including making nominations for the appointment or election of independent directors and assessing the compensation paid to independent members of the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists of Messrs. D’Alelio, Finn, Kaye, Temple and Woolridge, and Ms. Weiler, all of whom are considered independent for purposes of the 1940 Act. Eric Kaye serves as the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers nominees to the Board of Directors recommended by a shareholder, if such shareholder complies with the advance notice provisions of our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a shareholder who wishes to nominate a person for election as a director at a meeting of shareholders must deliver written notice to our Corporate Secretary. This notice must contain, as to each nominee, all of the information relating to such person as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement meeting the requirements of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, and certain other information set forth in the bylaws. In order to be eligible to be a nominee for election as a director by a shareholder, such potential.

 

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Indemnification Agreements

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide the Company’s directors the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that the Company will indemnify the director who is a party to the agreement including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, such director is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Company.

Portfolio Management

The management of the Company’s investment portfolio is the responsibility of the Adviser and the Investment Committee. The Company will consider these individuals to be its portfolio managers. The members of the Investment Committee function as portfolio manager. Each member of the Investment Committee is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the investment portfolio, and each is responsible for determining whether to make prospective investments and monitoring the performance of the investment portfolio. The Investment Committee is comprised of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer, Alexis Maged, Erik Bissonnette, Pravin Vazirani and Jon ten Oever. The Investment Committee will meet regularly to consider the Company’s investments, direct the Company’s strategic initiatives and supervise the actions taken by the Adviser on the Company’s behalf. In addition, the Investment Committee will review and determines whether to make prospective investments and monitor the performance of the investment portfolio. Each investment opportunity will require the approval of a majority of the Investment Committee. Follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies may require the Investment Committee’s approval beyond that obtained when the initial investment in the portfolio company was made. In addition, temporary investments, such as those in cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, may require approval by the Investment Committee. The compensation packages of certain Investment Committee members from the Adviser include various combinations of discretionary bonuses and variable incentive compensation based primarily on performance for services provided.

The investment team is led by Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer and is supported by certain members of the Adviser’s senior executive team and the Investment Committee. The investment team, under the Investment Committee’s supervision, will source investment opportunities, conduct research, perform due diligence on potential investments, structure the Company’s investments and monitor the Company’s portfolio companies on an ongoing basis.

None of the Adviser’s investment professionals will receive any direct compensation from the Company in connection with the management of the Company’s portfolio. Certain members of the Investment Committee, through their financial interests in the Adviser, are entitled to a portion of the profits earned by the Adviser, which includes any fees payable to the Adviser under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, less expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The members of the investment team perform a similar role for ORCC, which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ORCC,” ORCC II, ORTF, ORCC III, ORCIC and ORTIC, from which the Adviser and its affiliates may receive incentive fees.

The members of the Investment Committee function as portfolio managers with the most significant responsibility for the day-to-day management of our portfolio. The Investment Committee is comprised of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer, Alexis Maged, Erik Bissonnette, Pravin Vazirani and Jon ten Oever. Information regarding the Investment Committee, is as follows:

 

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Name

   Year of
Birth
 

Douglas I. Ostrover

     1962  

Marc S. Lipschultz

     1969  

Craig W. Packer

     1966  

Alexis Maged

     1965  

Erik Bissonnette

     1979  

Pravin Vazirani

     1973  

Jon ten Oever

     1972  

In addition to managing our investments, as of September 30, 2021, our portfolio managers also managed investments on behalf of the following entities:

 

Name

  

Entity

  

Investment Focus

   Gross
Assets

($ in
millions)
 

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp

   Business development company    U.S. middle-market technology-related lending    $ 6,043.1  

Owl Rock Technology Income Corp*

   Business development company    U.S. middle-market technology-related lending      —    

 

*

ORTIC was formed on June 22, 2021, and does not have assets to report.

In addition to managing our investments, as of September 30, 2021, Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer, and Alexis Maged also managed investments on behalf of the following entities:

 

Name

  

Entity

  

Investment Focus

   Gross
Assets

($ in
millions)
 

Owl Rock Capital Corporation

   Business development company    U.S. middle-market lending    $ 13,075.8  

Owl Rock Capital Corporation II

   Business development company    U.S. middle-market lending    $ 2,529.5  

Owl Rock Capital Corporation III

   Business development company    U.S. middle-market lending    $ 2,083.5  

Owl Rock Core Income Corp

   Business development company    U.S. middle-market lending    $ 1,674.1  

As of September 30, 2021, Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer, and Alexis Maged also managed the Private Funds, which had a total of approximately $5.5 billion in gross assets.

The management and incentive fees payable by Owl Rock Capital Corporation, Capital Corporation II, Owl Rock Capital Corporation III, Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., Owl Rock Core Income Corp. and the Private Funds are based on (1) gross assets and unfunded capital commitments, if applicable, and (2) the performance, respectively, of Owl Rock Capital Corporation, Capital Corporation II, Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., Owl Rock Core Income Corp. and the Private Funds.

 

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Biographical information regarding the member of the Investment Committee, who is not a director or executive officer of the Company is as follows:

Douglas Ostrover

Mr. Ostrover is a Co-Founder of Owl Rock Capital Partners, serves as Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chief Investment Officer of the Owl Rock Advisers, and is a member of the Investment Committee of each of the Owl Rock BDCs. Mr. Ostrover is also a Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Owl, a member of Blue Owl’s Executive Committee, and a director of Blue Owl. In addition, Mr. Ostrover served on the boards of ORCC and ORCC II from 2016-2021, on the board of ORTF from 2018-2021 and on the boards of ORCC III and ORCIC from 2020-2021. Mr. Ostrover has served on the board of Jaws Acquisition Corp. Prior to co-founding Owl Rock, Mr. Ostrover was one of the founders of GSO Capital Partners (GSO), Blackstone’s alternative credit platform, and a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone until June 2015. Prior to co-founding GSO in 2005, Mr. Ostrover was a Managing Director and Chairman of the Leveraged Finance Group of Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB). Prior to his role as Chairman, Mr. Ostrover was Global Co-Head of CSFB’s Leveraged Finance Group, during which time he was responsible for all of CSFB’s origination, distribution and trading activities relating to high yield securities, leveraged loans, high yield credit derivatives and distressed securities. Mr. Ostrover was a member of CSFB’s Management Council and the Fixed Income Operating Committee. Mr. Ostrover joined CSFB in November 2000 when CSFB acquired Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (“DLJ”), where he was a Managing Director in charge of High Yield and Distressed Sales, Trading and Research. Mr. Ostrover had been a member of DLJ’s high yield team since he joined the firm in 1992. Mr. Ostrover is actively involved in non-profit organizations including serving on the Board of Directors of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Mr. Ostrover is also a board member of the Brunswick School. Mr. Ostrover received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from New York University Stern School of Business.

Marc S. Lipschultz

Mr. Lipschultz is a Co-Founder and Co-President of Blue Owl, Co-Founder and the President of Owl Rock Capital Partners and Co-Chief Investment Officer of each of the Owl Rock Advisers. Prior to founding Owl Rock, Mr. Lipschultz spent more than two decades at KKR, and he served on the firm’s Management Committee and as the Global Head of Energy and Infrastructure. Mr. Lipschultz has a wide range of experience in alternative investments, including leadership roles in private equity, infrastructure and direct-asset investing. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. Lipschultz was with Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and principal investment activities. He received an A.B. with honors and distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, from Stanford University and an M.B.A. with high distinction, Baker Scholar, from Harvard Business School. Mr. Lipschultz serves on the board of the Hess Corporation, and is actively involved in a variety of non-profit organizations, serving as a trustee or board member of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, Michael J. Fox Foundation, Mount Sinai Health System, Riverdale Country School and as the President of the Board of Directors of the 92nd Street Y.

Erik Bissonnette

Mr. Bissonnette is a Managing Director of Owl Rock Capital Partners and is a member of the Adviser’s Investment Committee. Prior to joining Owl Rock in 2018, Mr. Bissonnette was a Managing Director and Head of Technology Leveraged Finance at Capital Source from 2009 to 2017. Preceding Capital Source, Mr. Bissonnette was an Associate at ABS Capital Partners from 2007 to 2009. Prior to that, Mr. Bissonnette was an Associate at Wachovia Securities for four years, and Analyst at Banc of America Securities from 2001 to 2003. Mr. Bissonnette received a B.A. in Economics with a double major in English from Wake Forest University.

Pravin Vazirani

Mr. Vazirani is a Managing Director of Owl Rock Capital Partners and is a member of the Adviser’s Investment Committee. Prior to joining Owl Rock in 2018, Mr. Vazirani was a partner with Menlo Ventures. While at Menlo Ventures Mr. Vazirani focused on investments in the SaaS, cloud and e-commerce sectors. Mr. Vazirani’s prior investments include Carbonite (IPO: CARB); Centrality Communications (acquired by SiR F Holdings); EdgeCast Networks (acquired by Verizon); Credant Technologies (acquired by Dell); Like.com (acquired by Google); and newScale (acquired by Cisco Systems). Mr. Vazirani’s current investments and board seats include BlueVine,

 

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Pillpack, Poshmark, Signifyd, and Stance. Mr. Vazirani started his career as an engineer working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Later, Mr. Vazirani worked for Pacific Communication Sciences and ADC Telecommunications as a product manager. Mr. Vazirani holds BS and MS degrees in electrical engineering from MIT, and an MBA from the Harvard University Graduate School of Business.

Jon ten Oever

Mr. ten Oever is a Managing Director in the Owl Rock division of Blue Owl, serves as the Head of Technology Credit for each of the Owl Rock Advisers and serves as a member of the Investment Committee of the Adviser. Prior to joining Owl Rock in 2019, Mr. ten Oever was a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs & Co. from 2007 until 2019. At Goldman Sachs & Co., Mr. ten Oever held several positions in the Americas Financing Group’s Leveraged Finance Group, including leadership of the TMT and Healthcare verticals. Prior to working at Goldman Sachs, Mr. ten Oever was a Vice President at Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, in the Media & Telecom Group from 2000 until 2007 and an attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP from 1997 until 2000. Mr. ten Oever received a B.A. from Huron College at the University of Western Ontario in 1994 and a J.D. from the Yale Law School in 1997.

 

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ITEM 6. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation of Executive Officers

We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Services necessary for our business are provided by individuals who are employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, pursuant to the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, as applicable. Our day-to-day investment and administrative operations are managed by the Adviser. Most of the services necessary for the origination and administration of our investment portfolio will be provided by investment professionals employed by the Adviser or its affiliates.

None of our executive officers will receive direct compensation from us. We will bear our allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of our officers who provide operational and administrative services hereunder, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to us (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to us. We shall reimburse the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business affairs and in acting on our behalf).The members of the Investment Committee, through their financial interests in the Adviser, are entitled to a portion of the profits earned by the Adviser, which includes any fees payable to the Adviser under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, less expenses incurred by the Adviser in performing its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Investment Advisory Agreement” and “Item 7. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.”

Compensation of Directors

No compensation is expected to be paid to the Company’s directors who are “interested persons,” as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. The Company’s directors who do not also serve in an executive officer capacity for the Company or the Adviser are entitled to receive annual cash retainer fees, fees for participating in in-person board and committee meetings and annual fees for serving as a committee chairperson. These directors are Edward D’Alelio, Christopher M. Temple, Eric Kaye, Brian Finn, Melissa Weiler and Victor Woolridge. The Company pays each Independent Director the following amounts for serving as a director:

 

Annual Cash Retainer

   Board
Meeting

Fee
     Annual Committee Chair Cash
Retainer
        
   Chair of
the

Board
     Audit      Committee
Chair
     Committee
Meeting

Fee
 

$150,000

   $ 2,500      $ 25,000      $ 15,000      $ 5,000      $ 1,000  

The Company is also authorized to pay the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of each independent director incurred by such director in connection with the fulfillment of his or her duties as an independent director.

 

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ITEM 7. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

We have entered into both an investment advisory agreement and an administration agreement with the Adviser. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, we will pay the Adviser a base management fee and an incentive fee. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business — Investment Advisory Agreement” for a description of how the fees payable to the Adviser will be determined. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, we will reimburse the Adviser for expenses necessary to perform services related to our administration and operations. In addition, the Adviser and its affiliates may engage in certain origination activities and receive attendant arrangement, structuring or similar fees from portfolio companies.

Our executive officers, certain of our directors and certain other finance professionals of Blue Owl also serve as executives of the Owl Rock Advisers, and officers and directors of the Company and certain professionals of Blue Owl and the Adviser are officers of Blue Owl Securities. In addition, our executive officers and directors and the members of the Adviser and members of its Investment Committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same, or a related, line of business as we do or of investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles managed by our affiliates. These investment funds, accounts or other investment vehicles may have investment objectives similar to our investment objectives.

At times, we compete with other entities managed by the Adviser as well as entities managed by the other Owl Rock Advisers and affiliates of Blue Owl, including the Blue Owl Clients, for capital and investment opportunities. As a result, we may not be given the opportunity to participate or participate fully in certain investments made by the Blue Owl Clients. This can create a potential conflict when allocating investment opportunities among us and such other Blue Owl Clients. An investment opportunity that is suitable for multiple clients of the Adviser and its affiliates may not be capable of being shared among some or all of such clients and affiliates due to the limited scale of the opportunity or other factors, including regulatory restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act. However, in order for the Adviser and its affiliates to fulfill their fiduciary duties to each of their clients, the Owl Rock Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that seeks to ensure the fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time between the Owl Rock BDCs and other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates and addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business.

Allocation of Investment Opportunities

The Owl Rock Advisers intend to allocate investment opportunities in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and is consistent with its investment allocation policy, so that no client of the Adviser or its affiliates is disadvantaged in relation to any other client of the Adviser or its affiliates, taking into account such factors as the relative amounts of capital available for new investments, cash on hand, existing commitments and reserves, the investment programs and portfolio positions of the participating investment accounts, the clients for which participation is appropriate, targeted leverage level, targeted asset mix and any other factors deemed appropriate. The Owl Rock Advisers intend to allocate common expenses among us and other clients of the Adviser and its affiliates in a manner that is fair and equitable over time or in such other manner as may be required by applicable law or the Investment Advisory Agreement. Fees and expenses generated in connection with potential portfolio investments that are not consummated will be allocated in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and in accordance with policies adopted by the Owl Rock Advisers and the Investment Advisory Agreement.

The Owl Rock Advisers have put in place an investment allocation policy that seeks to ensure the equitable allocation of investment opportunities over time between the Owl Rock Clients, the Dyal Clients and other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates and addresses the co-investment restrictions set forth under the 1940 Act. When we engage in co-investments as permitted by the exemptive relief described below, we will do so in a manner consistent with the Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy.

 

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In situations where co-investment with other entities managed by the Adviser or its affiliates is not permitted or appropriate, such as when there is an opportunity to invest in different securities of the same issuer, a committee comprised of certain executive officers of the Owl Rock Advisers (including executive officers of the Adviser) along with other officers and employees, will need to decide whether we or such other entity or entities will proceed with the investment. The allocation committee will make these determinations based on the Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy, which generally requires that such opportunities be offered to eligible accounts in a manner that will be fair and equitable over time.

As a result of exemptive relief, there could be significant overlap in the Company’s investment portfolio and the investment portfolios of the other funds managed by Owl Rock that could avail themselves of the exemptive relief and that have an investment objective similar to ours.

The Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy is designed to manage the potential conflicts of interest between the Adviser’s fiduciary obligations to us and its or its affiliates’ similar fiduciary obligations to other clients, including the Owl Rock BDCs; however, there can be no assurance that the Owl Rock Advisers’ efforts to allocate any particular investment opportunity fairly among all clients for whom such opportunity is appropriate will result in an allocation of all or part of such opportunity to us. Not all conflicts of interest can be expected to be resolved in our favor.

The allocation of investment opportunities among us and any of the other investment funds sponsored or accounts managed by the Adviser or its affiliates may not always, and often will not, be proportional. In general, pursuant to the Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy, the process for making an allocation determination includes an assessment as to whether a particular investment opportunity (including any follow-on investment in, or disposition from, an existing portfolio company held by us or another investment fund or account) is suitable for us or another investment fund or account including the Owl Rock Clients. In making this assessment, the Owl Rock Advisers may consider a variety of factors, including, without limitation: the investment objectives, guidelines and strategies applicable to the investment fund or account; the nature of the investment, including its risk-return profile and expected holding period; portfolio diversification and concentration concerns; the liquidity needs of the investment fund or account; the ability of the investment fund or account to accommodate structural, timing and other aspects of the investment process; the life cycle of the investment fund or account; legal, tax and regulatory requirements and restrictions, including, as applicable, compliance with the 1940 Act (including requirements and restrictions pertaining to co-investment opportunities discussed below); compliance with existing agreements of the investment fund or account; the available capital of the investment fund or account; diversification requirements for BDCs or RICs; the gross asset value and net asset value of the investment fund or account; the current and targeted leverage levels for the investment fund or account; and portfolio construction considerations. The relevance of each of these criteria will vary from investment opportunity to investment opportunity. In circumstances where the investment objectives of multiple investment funds or accounts regularly overlap, while the specific facts and circumstances of each allocation decision will be determinative, the Owl Rock Advisers may afford prior decisions precedential value.

Pursuant to the Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy, if, through the foregoing analysis, it is determined that an investment opportunity is appropriate for multiple investment funds or accounts, the Owl Rock Advisers generally will determine the appropriate size of the opportunity for each such investment fund or account. If an investment opportunity falls within the mandate of two or more investment funds or accounts, and there are no restrictions on such funds or accounts investing with each other, then each investment fund or account will receive the amount of the investment that it is seeking, as determined based on the criteria set forth above.

Certain allocations may be more advantageous to us relative to one or all of the other investment funds, or vice versa. While the Owl Rock Advisers will seek to allocate investment opportunities in a way that it believes in good faith is fair and equitable over time, there can be no assurance that our actual allocation of an investment opportunity, if any, or terms on which the allocation is made, will be as favorable as they would be if the conflicts of interest to which the Adviser may be subject did not exist.

 

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Co-Investment Opportunities

As a BDC, we will be subject to certain regulatory restrictions in negotiating certain investments with entities with which we may be restricted from doing so under the 1940 Act, such as the Adviser and its affiliates.

On February 7, 2017, ORCA received exemptive relief from the SEC that permits us to co-invest with other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Pursuant to such exemptive relief, we generally are permitted to co-invest with certain of our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of our independent directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transaction, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our Shareholders and do not involve overreaching in respect of us or our Shareholders on the part of any person concerned, (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our Shareholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies, (3) the investment by our affiliates would not disadvantage us, and our participation would not be on a basis different from or less advantageous than that on which our affiliates are investing, and (4) the proposed investment by us would not benefit the Adviser or its affiliates or any affiliated person of any of them (other than the parties to the transaction), except to the extent permitted by the exemptive relief and applicable law, including the limitations set forth in Section 57(k) of the 1940 Act. The Owl Rock Advisers’ investment allocation policy seeks to ensure equitable allocation of investment opportunities between us, the Owl Rock BDCs and/or other funds managed by the Adviser and its affiliates.

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC on April 8, 2020 and applicable to all BDCs that have co-investment exemptive orders on which they can rely, through December 31, 2020, we may, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, co-invest in portfolio companies in which certain other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates have invested, if we did not hold securities of such existing portfolio company. Without this order, we would not be able to participate in such co-investments with affiliated funds unless we had previously acquired securities of the portfolio company in a co-investment transaction with the affiliated funds. Although the conditional exemptive order has expired, the SEC’s Division of Investment Management has indicated that until March 31, 2022, it will not recommend enforcement action, to the extent that any BDC with an existing co-investment order continues to engage in certain transactions described in the conditional exemptive order, pursuant to the same terms and conditions described therein.

Affiliated Dealer Manager and Placement Agent

We have entered into a dealer manager agreement with the Adviser and Blue Owl Securities pursuant to which Blue Owl Securities and certain participating broker-dealers will solicit Capital Commitments. In addition, we have entered into a placement agent agreement with Blue Owl Securities pursuant to which employees of Blue Owl Securities may conduct placement activities.

License Agreement

We entered into the License Agreement with an affiliate of Blue Owl, pursuant to which we have been granted a non-exclusive license to use the name “Owl Rock.” Under the License Agreement, we have a right to use the Owl Rock name for so long as the Adviser or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we have no legal right to the “Owl Rock” name or logo.

Material Non-Public Information

Our senior management, members of the Adviser’s investment committee and other investment professionals from the Adviser may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we may invest or in which we are considering making an investment. Through these and other relationships with a company, these individuals may obtain material non-public information that might restrict our ability to buy or sell the securities of such company under the policies of the company or applicable law.

 

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Certain Business Relationships

Certain of our current directors and officers are directors or officers of the Adviser.

Indebtedness of Management

None.

Promoters and Certain Control Persons

The Adviser may be deemed a promoter of the Company. We have entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement with the Adviser. The Adviser, for its services to us, is entitled to receive Management Fees and Incentive Fees in addition to the reimbursement of certain expenses. In addition, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, we expect, to the extent permitted by applicable law and in the discretion of the Board of Directors, to indemnify the Adviser and certain of its affiliates. See “Item 1 (c). Description of Business—General.”

 

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ITEM 8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Neither we nor the Adviser are currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, are any material legal proceeding threatened against us or the Adviser. From time to time, we or the Adviser may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under contracts with its portfolio companies. Our business also will be subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against us. While the outcome of these legal or regulatory proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect that these proceedings will have a material effect upon our financial condition or results of operations.

 

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ITEM 9. MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

Market Information

Until the completion of an Exchange Listing, if any, our outstanding Common Stock will be offered and sold in transactions exempt from registration under the 1933 Act under Section 4(2) and Regulation D. See “Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities” for more information. There is no public market for our Common Stock currently, nor can we give any assurance that one will develop.

Because shares of our Common Stock are being acquired by investors in one or more transactions “not involving a public offering,” they are “restricted securities” and may be required to be held indefinitely. Our common shares may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise disposed of unless (i) our consent is granted, and (ii) the common shares are registered under applicable securities laws or specifically exempted from registration (in which case the Shareholder may, at our option, be required to provide us with a legal opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to us, that registration is not required). Accordingly, an investor must be willing to bear the economic risk of investment in the common shares until we are liquidated. No sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary, of the common shares may be made except by registration of the transfer on our books. Each transferee will be required to execute an instrument agreeing to be bound by these restrictions and the other restrictions imposed on the common shares and to execute such other instruments or certifications as are reasonably required by us.

Holders

Please see “Item 4. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” for disclosure regarding the holders of Common Stock.

Valuation of Portfolio Securities

The net asset value per share of our outstanding shares of common stock is determined at least quarterly by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding at the date as of which the determination is made.

Investment transactions will be recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses will be measured by the difference between the net proceeds received (excluding prepayment fees, if any) and the amortized cost basis of the investment using the specific identification method without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. The net change in unrealized gains or losses will primarily reflect the change in investment values, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments realized during the period.

Investments for which market quotations are readily available will typically be valued at the bid price of those market quotations. To validate market quotations, we will utilize a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and number of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available, as is expected to be the case for substantially all of our investments, will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser, the Audit Committee and independent third-party valuation firm(s) engaged at the direction of the Board of Directors.

As part of the valuation process, the Board of Directors will take into account relevant factors in determining the fair value of our investments, including: the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company (i.e., the total fair value of the portfolio company’s debt and equity), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments based on its earnings and cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to any similar publicly traded securities, and overall changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, the Board of Directors will consider whether the pricing indicated by the external event corroborates its valuation.

 

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The Board of Directors will undertake a multi-step valuation process, which is expected to include, among other procedures, the following:

 

   

With respect to investments for which market quotations are readily available, those investments will typically be valued at the bid price of those market quotations;

 

   

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the valuation process will begin with the independent valuation firm(s) providing a preliminary valuation of each investment to the Adviser’s valuation committee;

 

   

Preliminary valuation conclusions will be documented and discussed with the Adviser’s valuation committee. Agreed upon valuation recommendations will be presented to the Audit Committee;

 

   

The Audit Committee will review the valuation recommendations and recommend values for each investment to the Board of Directors; and

 

   

The Board of Directors will review the recommended valuations and determine the fair value of each investment.

We will conduct this valuation process on a quarterly basis.

Distribution Policy

We generally intend to distribute, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of our available earnings, on an annual basis, as determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion.

We will reinvest dividends on behalf of Shareholders that do not elect to receive their dividends in cash. A Shareholder may elect to receive its entire dividend in cash by notifying the Adviser in writing no later than ten days prior to the record date for dividends to Shareholders. See “Item 1(c). Description of Business—Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

Reports to Shareholders

We will furnish Shareholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. Upon the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, we will be required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the 1934 Act.

 

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ITEM 10. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

In conjunction with our formation, on November 30, 2021, we issued and sold 100 shares of our Common Stock to the Adviser, for an aggregate purchase price of $1,500. These shares were issued and sold in reliance upon the available exemptions from registration requirements of Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act.

 

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ITEM 11. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and on the Charter and the Company’s bylaws (“Bylaws”). This summary possesses the provisions deemed to be material, but is not necessarily complete.

General

Under the terms of the Charter, the Company’s authorized stock consists solely of 500 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and no shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), the Charter provides that a majority of the entire Board of Directors, without any action by the Company’s Shareholders, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that the Company has authority to issue. The Charter also provides that the Board of Directors may classify or reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock into one or more classes or series of Common Stock or Preferred Stock by setting or changing the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, or limitations as to dividends, qualifications, or terms or conditions of redemption of the shares. There is currently no market for the Company’s stock, and the Company can offer no assurances that a market for its stock will develop in the future. The Company does not currently intend for the shares offered pursuant to this Memorandum to be listed on any national securities exchange, although it is possible that they would be listed in the future. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase the Company’s stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, the Company’s Shareholders generally are not personally liable for the debts of the Company, except as they may be liable by reason of their own conduct or acts. Unless the Board of Directors determines otherwise, the Company will issue all shares of its stock in uncertificated form.

None of the Company’s shares of Common Stock are subject to further calls or to assessments, sinking fund provisions, obligations of the Company or potential liabilities associated with ownership of the security (not including investment risks).

Common Stock

Under the terms of the Charter, all shares of Common Stock have equal rights as to dividends, distributions and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Dividends and distributions may be paid to Shareholders if, as and when authorized by the Board of Directors and declared by the Company out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of Common Stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and Shareholders generally have no appraisal rights. Shares of Common Stock are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract (including the Subscription Agreement) and except that, in order to avoid the possibility that the Company’s assets could be treated as “plan assets,” the Company may require any person proposing to acquire shares of Common Stock to furnish such information as may be necessary to determine whether such person is a Benefit Plan Investor or a controlling person, restrict or prohibit transfers of shares of such stock or redeem any outstanding shares of stock for such price and on such other terms and conditions as may be determined by or at the direction of the Board of Directors.

Under the terms of the Charter, during the Lock-Up Period, Shareholders will be restricted from: (1) offering, pledging, selling, contracting to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchasing any option or contract to sell, granting any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transferring or disposing of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of Common Stock, or publicly disclosing the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, (2) entering into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership Common Stock or any such other securities (regardless of whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), or (3) if applicable, making any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. The Lock-Up Period is (i) 365 days after the date of an Exchange Listing for all shares of Common Stock held by certain individuals and entities affiliated with the Adviser, and (ii) 180 days after the date of an Exchange Listing for all shares of Common Stock held by a

 

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Shareholder (other than certain individuals and entities affiliated with the Adviser), 270 days after the date of an Exchange Listing for two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock held by a Shareholder (other than certain individuals and entities affiliated with the Adviser) and 365 days after the date of an Exchange Listing for one-third of the shares of Common Stock held by a Shareholder (other than certain individuals and entities affiliated with the Adviser). The lock-up will apply to all shares of Common Stock acquired prior to an Exchange Listing but will not apply to any shares acquired in open market transactions or acquired pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan after the date of an Exchange Listing.

In the event of the Company’s liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of Common Stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of the Company’s assets that are legally available for distribution after the Company pays or otherwise provide for all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of the Company’s preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Subject to the rights of holders of any other class or series of stock, each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of Shareholders, including the election of directors, and the Shareholders will possess the exclusive voting power. There will be no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Cumulative voting entitles a Shareholder to as many votes as equals the number of votes which such holder would be entitled to cast for the election of directors multiplied by the number of directors to be elected and allows a Shareholder to cast a portion or all of the Shareholder’s votes for one or more candidates for seats on the Board of Directors. Without cumulative voting, a minority Shareholder may not be able to elect as many directors as the Shareholder would be able to elect if cumulative voting were permitted. Subject to the special rights of the holders of any class or series of preferred stock to elect directors, each director will be elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to such director’s election, except in the case of a “contested election” (as defined in the Company’s bylaws), in which directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast in the contested election of directors.

Preferred Stock

This offering does not include an offering of preferred stock. However, under the terms of the Charter, the Board of Directors may authorize the Company to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series, without Shareholder approval, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Board of Directors has the power to fix the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of each class or series of preferred stock. The Company does not currently anticipate issuing preferred stock in the near future. In the event the Company issues preferred stock, it will make any required disclosure to Shareholders. The Company will not offer preferred stock to the Adviser or the Company’s affiliates except on the same terms as offered to all other Shareholders.

Preferred stock could be issued with terms that would adversely affect the Shareholders. Preferred stock could also be used as an anti-takeover device through the issuance of shares of a class or series of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control. Every issuance of preferred stock will be required to comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that: (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to Common Stock and before any purchase of Common Stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount currently equal to 50% of the Company’s total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class voting separately to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if distributions on such preferred stock are in arrears by two full years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of preferred stock (as determined in accordance with the 1940 Act) voting together as a separate class. For example, the vote of such holders of preferred stock would be required to approve a proposal involving a plan of reorganization adversely affecting such securities.

The issuance of any preferred stock must be approved by a majority of the independent directors not otherwise interested in the transaction, who will have access, at the Company’s expense, to the Company’s legal counsel or to independent legal counsel.

 

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Limitation on Liability of Directors; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision eliminating the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty that is established by a final judgment and is material to the cause of action. The Charter contains a provision that eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability, subject to the limitations of Maryland law and the requirements of the 1940 Act.

Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which the Charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity against reasonable expenses actually incurred in the proceeding in which the director or officer was successful. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (1) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (2) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation also may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or on behalf of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

The Charter obligates the Company, subject to the limitations of Maryland law and the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify (1) any present or former director or officer; or (2) any individual who, while a director or officer and at the Company’s request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which the person or entity may become subject or may incur by reason of such person’s service in that capacity, and to pay or reimburse such person’s reasonable expenses as incurred in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. In accordance with the 1940 Act, the Company will not indemnify any person for any liability to the extent that such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his, her or its office.

Maryland Law and Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions; Anti-Takeover Measures

Maryland law contains, and the Charter and the Company’s bylaws also contain, provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquirer to acquire the Company by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to negotiate first with the Board of Directors. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of Shareholders. The Company believes, however, that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the Board of Director’s ability to negotiate such proposals may improve their terms.

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, consolidate, convert into another form of business entity, sell all or substantially all of its assets or engage in a statutory share exchange unless declared advisable by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of Shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, the Charter provides for approval of these actions by the affirmative vote of Shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

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Subject to certain exceptions provided in the Charter, the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, with the holders of each class or series of the Company’s stock voting as a separate class will be necessary to effect any of the following actions:

 

   

any amendment to the Charter to make the Common Stock a “redeemable security” or to convert the Company from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act);

 

   

the liquidation or dissolution of the Company and any amendment to the Charter to effect and such liquidation or dissolution;

 

   

any merger, consolidation, conversion, share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets that the MGCL requires be approved by shareholders; or

 

   

any transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and any person or group of persons acting together that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly (other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of our directors generally, or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, employed by or acting as an agent of, any such person or member of such group.

However, if the proposal, transaction or business combination is approved by at least a majority of the Company’s continuing directors, the proposal, transaction or business combination may be approved only by the Board of Directors and, if necessary, the Shareholders as otherwise would be required by applicable law, the Charter and bylaws, without regard to the supermajority approval requirements discussed above. A “continuing director” is defined in the Charter as (1) our current directors, (2) those directors whose nomination for election by the Shareholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of our current directors then on the Board of Directors or (3) any successor directors whose nomination for election by the Shareholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of continuing directors or the successor continuing directors then in office.

The Charter also provides that the Board of Directors is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in size as practicable, with each class of directors serving for a staggered three-year term. Additionally, subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, directors may be removed at any time, but only for cause (as such term is defined in the Charter) and only by the affirmative vote of Shareholders entitled to cast at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors, voting as a single class. The Charter and bylaws also provide that, except as provided otherwise by applicable law, including the 1940 Act and subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of preferred stock to elect or remove one or more directors, any vacancy on the Board of Directors, and any newly created directorship resulting from an increase in the size of the Board of Directors, may only be filled by vote of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided that, under Maryland law, when the holders of any class, classes or series of stock have the exclusive power under the Charter to elect certain directors, vacancies in directorships elected by such class, classes or series may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors so elected by such class, classes or series of the Company’s stock. In addition, the Charter provides that, subject to any rights of holders of one or more classes or series of stock to elect or remove one or more directors, the total number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors.

The classification of the Board of Directors and the limitations on removal of directors described above as well as the limitations on Shareholders’ right to fill vacancies and newly created directorships and to fix the size of the Board of Directors could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire the Company, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring or attempting to acquire the Company.

 

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Maryland law and the Charter and the Company’s bylaws also provide that:

 

   

any action required or permitted to be taken by the Shareholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of Shareholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting or by unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting;

 

   

special meetings of the Shareholders may only be called by the Board of Directors, the chairman of the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer, and must be called by the secretary upon the written request of Shareholders who are entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at such meeting; and

 

   

from and after the Initial Closing, any Shareholder nomination or business proposal to be properly brought before a meeting of Shareholders must have been made in compliance with certain advance notice and informational requirements.

These provisions could delay or hinder Shareholder actions which are favored by the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities. These provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for the Common Stock, because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a Shareholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called Shareholders meeting, and not by written consent. The provisions of the Charter requiring that the directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors will also prevent Shareholders from removing incumbent directors except for cause and upon a substantial affirmative vote. In addition, although the advance notice and information requirements in the Company’s bylaws do not give the Board of Directors any power to disapprove Shareholder nominations for the election of directors or business proposals that are made in compliance with applicable advance notice procedures, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of Shareholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to the Company and the Shareholders.

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter unless the amendment is declared advisable by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of shareholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser or greater percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Subject to certain exceptions discussed below, the Charter provides for approval of charter amendments by the affirmative vote of Shareholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, has the exclusive power to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the Company’s bylaws. The Charter provides that any amendment to the following provisions of the Charter, among others, will require, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law or the Charter, the affirmative vote of Shareholders entitled to cast at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors, with the holders of each class or series of the Company’s stock voting as a separate class, unless a majority of the continuing directors approve the amendment, in which case such amendment must be approved as would otherwise be required by applicable law, the Charter and/or the Company’s bylaws:

 

   

the provisions regarding the classification of the Board of Directors;

 

   

the provisions governing the removal of directors;

 

   

the provisions limiting Shareholder action by written consent;

 

   

the provisions regarding the number of directors on the Board of Directors; and

 

   

the provisions specifying the vote required to approve extraordinary actions and amend the Charter and the Board of Directors’ exclusive power to amend the Company’s bylaws.

 

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Advance Notice Provisions for Shareholder Nominations and Shareholder Proposals

The Company’s bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of Shareholders, nominations of individuals for election as directors and the proposal of business to be considered by Shareholders may be made only (a) pursuant to the Company’s notice of the meeting, (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) by a Shareholder who is a Shareholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by the Company’s bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated or on any such other business and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the Company’s bylaws. With respect to special meetings of Shareholders, only the business specified in the Company’s notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election as directors at a special meeting at which directors are to be elected may be made only (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) provided that the special meeting has been called in accordance with the Company’s bylaws for the purpose of electing directors, by a Shareholder who is a Shareholder of record both at the time of giving the advance notice required by the Company’s bylaws and at the time of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting in the election of each individual so nominated and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the Company’s bylaws.

The purpose of requiring Shareholders to give the Company advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford the Board of Directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the Board of Directors, to inform Shareholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of Shareholders. Although the Company’s bylaws do not give the Board of Directors any power to disapprove Shareholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, the advance notice and information requirements may have the effect of precluding election contests or the consideration of Shareholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to the Company and its Shareholders.

No Appraisal Rights

For certain extraordinary transactions and charter amendments, the MGCL provides the right to dissenting shareholders to demand and receive the fair value of their shares, subject to certain procedures and requirements set forth in the statute. Those rights are commonly referred to as appraisal rights. As permitted by the MGCL, the Charter provides that Shareholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless the Board of Directors determines that appraisal rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which Shareholders would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.

Control Share Acquisitions

Certain provisions of the MGCL provide that a holder of control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition has no voting rights with respect to the control shares except to the extent approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, which is referred to as the Control Share Acquisition Act (the “Control Share Acquisition Act”). Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by employees who are directors of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquirer or in respect of which the acquirer is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquirer to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

   

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

 

   

one-third or more but less than a majority; or

 

   

a majority or more of all voting power.

 

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The requisite shareholder approval must be obtained each time an acquirer crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained shareholder approval or shares acquired directly from the corporation. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of issued and outstanding control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the Board of Directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of shareholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any shareholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquirer or if a meeting of shareholders is held at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved, as of the date of such meeting. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a shareholder meeting and the acquirer becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other shareholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquirer in the control share acquisition.

The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation. The Bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of shares of stock of the Company. The SEC staff previously took the position that, if a BDC failed to opt-out of the Control Share Acquisition Act, its actions would be inconsistent with Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act. However, the SEC recently withdrew its previous position, and stated that it would not recommend enforcement action against a closed-end fund, including a BDC, that opts in to being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act if the closed-end fund acts with reasonable care on a basis consistent with other applicable duties and laws and the duty to the company and its shareholders generally. As such, we may amend the Bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act, but will do so only if the Board of Directors determines that it would be in our best interest and if such amendment can be accomplished in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and SEC guidance.

Business Combinations

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested shareholder or an affiliate of an interested shareholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested shareholder is defined as:

 

   

any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s stock; or

 

   

an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

A person is not an interested shareholder under this statute if the corporation’s board of directors approves in advance the transaction by which he or she otherwise would have become an interested shareholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

After the five-year prohibition, any such business combination generally must be recommended by the corporation’s board of directors and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

   

80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

 

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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested shareholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested shareholder.

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if holders of the corporation’s common stock receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested shareholder for its shares. The statute provides various exemptions from its provisions, including for business combinations that are exempted by the corporation’s board of directors before the time that the interested shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. The Board of Directors intends to adopt a resolution exempting from the requirements of the statute any business combination between the Company and any other person, provided that such business combination is first approved by the Board of Directors (including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” within the meaning of the 1940 Act). This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the Board of Directors does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of the Company and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Conflict with the 1940 Act

The Company’s bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the MGCL, including the Control Share Acquisition Act (if the Company amends its bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act or any provision of the Charter or the Company’s bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

Exclusive Forum

The Bylaws require that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any standard of conduct or legal duty owed by any of the Company’s director, officer or other agent to the Company or the Shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or the Charter or the Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This exclusive forum selection provision in our Bylaws does not apply to claims arising under the federal securities laws, including the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act.

There is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such a provision, and investors cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. In addition, this provision may increase costs for stockholders in bringing a claim against us or our directors, officers or other agents. Any investor purchasing or otherwise acquiring our shares is deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provision. The exclusive forum selection provision in our Bylaws may limit Shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other agents, which may discourage lawsuits against us and such persons. It is also possible that, notwithstanding such exclusive forum selection provision, a court could rule that such provision is inapplicable or unenforceable.

 

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ITEM 12. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Limitation on Liability of Directors; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

See “Item 11. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered — Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses.

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors. The indemnification agreements are intended to provide our directors the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. Each indemnification agreement provides that we shall indemnify the director who is a party to the agreement including the advancement of legal expenses, if, by reason of his or her corporate status, such director is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed proceeding, other than a proceeding by or in the right of the Company.

Adviser

The Adviser and its affiliates (each, an “Indemnitee”) are not liable to us for (i) mistakes of judgment or for action or inaction that such person reasonably believed to be in our best interests absent such Indemnitee’s gross negligence, knowing and willful misconduct, or fraud or (ii) losses or expenses due to mistakes of judgment, action or inaction, or the negligence, dishonesty or bad faith of any broker or other agent of the Company who is not an affiliate of such Indemnitee, provided that such person was selected, engaged or retained without gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud.

We will indemnify each Indemnitee against any liabilities relating to the offering of the Common Stock or the business, operation, administration or termination of the Company, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner it believed to be in, or not opposed to, our interest and except to the extent arising out of the Indemnitee’s gross negligence, fraud or knowing and willful misconduct. We may pay the expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in defending an actual or threatened civil or criminal action in advance of the final disposition of such action, provided the Indemnitee agrees to repay those expenses if found by adjudication not to be entitled to indemnification.

 

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ITEM 13. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Set forth below is an index to our financial statements attached to this Registration Statement.

 

Index to Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*

  

Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of [•]*

  

Statement of Operations for the Period from [•], 2021 (inception) through [•], 2021*

  

Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the Period from [•], 2021 (inception) through [•], 2021*

  

Statement of Cash Flows for the Period from [•], 2021 (inception) through [•], 2021*

  

Notes to Financial Statements*

  

 

*

To be filed by amendment

 

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ITEM 14. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

There are not and have not been any disagreements between us and our accountant on any matter of accounting principles, practices, or financial statement disclosure.

 

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ITEM 15. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(a) List separately all financial statements filed

The financial statements attached to this Registration Statement are listed under “Item 13. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

(b) Exhibits

 

3.1    Articles of Amendment and Restatement*
3.2    Bylaws*
4.1    Subscription Agreement*
10.1    Investment Advisory Agreement*
10.2    Administration Agreement*
10.3    Dividend Reinvestment Plan*
10.4    Form of Indemnification Agreement*
10.5    Form of Custody Agreement*
10.6    License Agreement*
21.1    List of Subsidiaries—None
99.1    Code of Ethics*

 

*

Filed herewith

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II
By:  

/s/ Jonathan Lamm

  Name: Jonathan Lamm
 

Title:  Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

Date: December 1, 2021

 

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EX-3.1 2 d250734dex31.htm EX-3.1 EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II

ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

FIRST: Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II, a Maryland corporation, desires to amend and restate its charter as currently in effect and as hereinafter amended.

SECOND: The following provisions are all the provisions of the charter currently in effect and as hereinafter amended:

Article I. NAME

The name of the corporation (the “Corporation”) is: Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II.

Article II. PURPOSES AND POWERS

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the general laws of the State of Maryland as now or hereafter in force, including, without limitation or obligation, engaging in business as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (together with any rules and regulations and any applicable guidance and/or interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or its staff promulgated thereunder, the “1940 Act”).

Article III. PRINCIPAL OFFICE IN STATE AND RESIDENT AGENT

The name of the resident agent of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, whose address is 2405 York Rd., Suite 201, Lutherville Timonium, Maryland 21093-2264. The street address of the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland is c/o The Corporation Trust Incorporated, 2405 York Rd., Suite 201, Lutherville Timonium, Maryland 21093-2264.

Article IV. PROVISIONS FOR DEFINING, LIMITING AND REGULATING CERTAIN POWERS OF THE CORPORATION AND OF THE STOCKHOLDERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 4.01 Number, Vacancies, Classification and Election of Directors. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of the board of directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”). The number of directors of the Corporation (the “Directors”) is eight, which number may be increased or decreased only by the Board of Directors pursuant to the Corporation’s bylaws (as amended from time to time, the “Bylaws”), or the Corporation’s charter (as amended from time to time, the “Charter”), but shall never be less than the minimum number required by the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”). A director shall have the qualifications, if any, specified in the Bylaws. The names of the directors who shall serve until their successors are duly elected and qualify are:

Alan Kirshenbaum – Class 1 Director (as defined below)

Craig W. Packer – Class 1 Director (as defined below)

Edward D’Alelio – Class 1 Director (as defined below)

Brian Finn – Class 2 Director (as defined below)

Eric Kaye – Class 2 Director (as defined below)

Victor Woolridge – Class 2 Director (as defined below)

Christopher M. Temple – Class 3 Director (as defined below)

Melissa Weiler – Class 3 Director (as defined below)

The Board of Directors may fill any vacancy, whether resulting from an increase in the number of directors or otherwise, on the Board of Directors in the manner provided in the Bylaws.


The Corporation elects at such time as it becomes eligible pursuant to Section 3-802 of the MGCL to make the election as provided for under Section 3-804(c) of the MGCL that, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or series of shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Shares”) or as may be required by the 1940 Act, any and all vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining Directors in office, even if the remaining Directors do not constitute a quorum, and any Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which such vacancy occurred.

On the first date on which the Corporation shall have more than one Stockholder, the Directors (other than any Director elected solely by holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Shares in connection with dividend arrearages) shall be classified, with respect to the terms for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as determined by the Board of Directors, as nearly equal in size as is practicable. The term of office of one class of Directors (the “Class 1 Directors”) shall expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of another class of Directors (the “Class 2 Directors”) shall expire at the second annual meeting of stockholders and the term of office of the remaining class of Directors (the “Class 3 Directors”) shall expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders, and, in each case, when their respective successors are duly elected and qualify. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to the class of Directors whose term expires at such meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders following the meeting at which they were elected and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualify.

Section 4.02 Extraordinary Actions. Except as specifically provided in Section 4.08 (relating to removal of Directors) and in Section 7.02 (relating to extraordinary actions and certain amendments to the Charter), notwithstanding any provision of law permitting or requiring any action to be taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a greater number of votes, any such action shall be effective and valid if declared advisable by the Board of Directors and taken or approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

Section 4.03 Election of Directors. Except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation, each director shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present.

Section 4.04 Quorum. The presence in person or by proxy of holders of shares of stock of the Corporation (“Shares”) entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders, except with respect to any such matter that, under applicable statutes or regulatory requirements or the Charter, requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes or series of Shares, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by such classes or series of Shares on such matter shall constitute a quorum. To the extent permitted by Maryland law as in effect from time to time, the foregoing quorum provision may be changed by the Bylaws.

Section 4.05 Authorization by Board of Directors of Stock Issuance. The Board of Directors may authorize the issuance from time to time of Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, or securities or rights convertible into Shares of any class or series, whether now or hereafter authorized, for such consideration, if any, as the Board of Directors may deem advisable (including compensation for the Directors or without consideration in the case of a stock split or stock dividend), subject to such restrictions or limitations, if any, as may be set forth in the Charter or the Bylaws.

Section 4.06 Preemptive Rights and Appraisal Rights. Except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of classified or reclassified Shares pursuant to Section 5.04 or as may otherwise be provided by a contract approved by the Board of Directors, no holder of Shares shall, as such holder, have any preemptive right to purchase or subscribe for any additional Shares or any other security of the Corporation which the Corporation may issue or sell. Holders of Shares shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting Stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board of Directors, upon such terms and conditions specified by the Board of Directors, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to all or any classes or series of Shares, or any proportion of the Shares thereof, to a particular transaction or all transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such Shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights.


Section 4.07 Determinations by Board of Directors. The determination as to any of the following matters, made by or pursuant to the direction of the Board of Directors not inconsistent with the Charter, shall be final and conclusive and shall be binding upon the Corporation and every holder of Shares: the amount of the net income of the Corporation for any period and the amount of assets at any time legally available for the payment of dividends, purchase of Shares or the payment of other distributions on Shares; the amount of paid-in surplus, net assets, other surplus, annual or other cash flow, funds from operations, net profit, net assets in excess of capital, undivided profits or excess of profits over losses on sales of assets; the amount, purpose, time of creation, increase or decrease, alteration or cancellation of any reserves or charges and the propriety thereof (whether or not any obligation or liability for which such reserves or charges shall have been created shall have been set aside, paid or discharged); any interpretation or resolution of any ambiguity with respect to any provision of the Charter (including any of the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers or rights, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of any class or series of Shares) or the Bylaws; the fair value, or any sale, bid or asked price to be applied in determining the fair value, of any asset owned or held by the Corporation or of any Shares; the number of Shares of any class or series of the Corporation; any matter relating to the acquisition, holding and disposition of any assets by the Corporation; any interpretation of the terms and conditions of one or more agreements with any person, corporation, association, company, trust, partnership (limited or general) or other entity; the compensation of directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation; or any other matter relating to the business and affairs of the Corporation or required or permitted by applicable law, the Charter or Bylaws or otherwise to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 4.08 Removal of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Shares to elect or remove one or more Directors, any Director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors, voting together as a single class. For the purpose of this paragraph, “cause” shall mean, with respect to any particular Director, conviction of a felony or a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holding that such Director caused demonstrable, material harm to the Corporation through bad faith or active and deliberate dishonesty.

Section 4.09 Stockholder Action by Unanimous Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders, unless such action is taken at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders, may only be taken by the unanimous written consent of all stockholders entitled to vote thereon.

Section 4.10 Exclusive Forum. All stockholders shall be subject to the forum selection provisions for any direct or derivative action or proceeding as may be set forth in the Bylaws.

Article V. STOCK

Section 5.01 Authorized Shares. The Corporation has authority to issue 500,000,000 Shares, initially consisting of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Common Shares”), and no shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (“Preferred Shares”). The aggregate par value of all authorized Shares having par value is $5,000,000.00. If Shares of one class or series are classified or reclassified into Shares of another class or series pursuant to this Article V, the number of authorized Shares of the former class or series shall be automatically decreased and the number of Shares of the latter class or series shall be automatically increased, in each case by the number of Shares so classified or reclassified, so that the aggregate number of Shares of all classes and series that the Corporation has authority to issue shall not be more than the total number of Shares set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph. The Board of Directors, with the approval of a majority of the entire Board of Directors and without any action by the stockholders, may amend the Charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of Shares or the number of Shares of any class or series that the Corporation has authority to issue.

Section 5.02 Common Shares. Each Common Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote. The Board of Directors may reclassify any unissued shares of Common Stock from time to time into one or more classes or series of stock.


Section 5.03 Preferred Shares. The Board of Directors may classify any unissued Preferred Shares and reclassify any previously classified but unissued Preferred Shares of any series from time to time, into one or more classes or series of Shares.

Section 5.04 Classified or Reclassified Shares. Prior to issuance of classified or reclassified Shares of any class or series, the Board of Directors by resolution shall: (a) designate that class or series to distinguish it from all other classes and series of Shares; (b) specify the number of Shares to be included in the class or series; (c) set or change, subject to the express terms of any class or series of Shares outstanding at the time, the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers (including exclusive voting rights, if any), restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption for each class or series; and (d) cause the Corporation to file articles supplementary with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland. Any of the terms of any class or series of Shares set or changed pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 5.04 may be made dependent upon facts or events ascertainable outside the Charter (including determinations by the Board of Directors or other facts or events within the control of the Corporation) and may vary among holders thereof, provided that the manner in which such facts, events or variations shall operate upon the terms of such class or series of Shares is clearly and expressly set forth in the articles supplementary or other charter document filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland.

Section 5.05 Charter and Bylaws. All persons who acquire Shares of the Corporation acquire the same, and the rights of all stockholders and the terms of all Shares are, subject to the provisions of the Charter and the Bylaws. The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power, at any time, to make, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws.

Section 5.06 No Issuance of Share Certificates. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, the Corporation shall not issue stock certificates. A Stockholder’s investment shall be recorded on the books of the Corporation. To transfer his or her Shares, a Stockholder shall submit an executed form to the Corporation, which form shall be provided by the Corporation upon request. Such transfer also will be recorded on the books of the Corporation. Upon issuance or transfer of Shares, the Corporation will provide the Stockholder with information concerning his or her rights with regard to such Shares, as required by the Bylaws and the MGCL or other applicable law.

Section 5.07 Right of Inspection.. A Stockholder that is otherwise eligible under applicable law to inspect the Corporation’s books of account, stock ledger, or other specified documents of the Corporation shall have no right to make such inspection if the Board of Directors determines that such Stockholder has an improper purpose for requesting such inspection.

Article VI. LIABILITY LIMITATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 6.01 Limitation of Director and Officer Liability. To the maximum extent that Maryland law in effect from time to time permits limitation of the liability of directors and officers of a corporation, no present or former director or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for money damages.

Section 6.02 Indemnification. Subject to any limitations set forth under Maryland law or the 1940 Act, the Corporation shall indemnify and pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (i) any individual who is a present or former Director or officer of the Corporation and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity, or (ii) any individual who, while a Director or officer of the Corporation and at the request of the Corporation, serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, member, manager or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made or threatened to be made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The Corporation may, with the approval of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee thereof, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Corporation in any of the capacities described in (i) or (ii) above and to any employee or agent of the Corporation or a predecessor of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may take such action as is necessary to carry out this Section 6.02.

Section 6.03 1940 Act Limitation on Indemnification. The provisions of this Article VI shall be subject to the requirements and limitations of the 1940 Act.


Section 6.04 Amendment or Repeal. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article VI, nor the adoption or amendment of any other provision of the Charter or Bylaws inconsistent with this Article VI, shall apply to or affect in any respect the applicability of the preceding sections of this Article VI with respect to any act or failure to act which occurred prior to such amendment, repeal, or adoption.

Article VII. AMENDMENTS

Section 7.01 Amendments Generally. The Corporation reserves the right from time to time, upon the requisite approval by the Board of Directors and/or the stockholders, to make any amendment to the Charter, now or hereafter authorized by law, including any amendment altering the terms or contract rights, as expressly set forth in the Charter, of any Shares. All rights and powers conferred by the Charter on stockholders, Directors and officers are granted subject to this reservation.

Section 7.02 Approval of Certain Extraordinary Actions and Charter Amendments.

 

  (a)

Required Votes. The affirmative vote of the stockholders entitled to cast at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of Directors, with holders of each class or series of Shares voting as a separate class:

 

  (i)

Any amendment to the Charter to make Common Shares a “redeemable security” and any other proposal to convert the Corporation from a “closed-end company” to an “open-end company” (as defined in the 1940 Act);

 

  (ii)

The liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation and any amendment to the Charter to effect any such liquidation or dissolution;

 

  (iii)

Any amendment to, or any amendment inconsistent with, the provisions of, Section 4.01, Section 4.02, Section 4.08, Section 4.09, Section 5.05, or this Section 7.02 of this Charter;

 

  (iv)

Any merger, consolidation, conversion, share exchange or sale or exchange of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation that the MGCL requires be approved by the stockholders; and

 

  (v)

Any transaction between (A) the Corporation and (B) a person, or group of persons acting together (including, without limitation, a “group” for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor provision), that is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise, or acquire the right to exercise or direct the exercise, directly or indirectly, other than solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, of one-tenth or more of the voting power in the election of directors generally, or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with, or employed by or acting as an agent of, any such person or member of such group;

provided, however, that, if the Continuing Directors (as defined herein), by a vote of at least majority of such Continuing Directors, in addition to approval by the Board of Directors, approve such proposal, transaction or amendment referred to in (i)-(v) above, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter shall be sufficient to approve such proposal, transaction or amendment; and provided further, that, with respect to any transaction referred to in (a)(v) above, if such transaction is approved by the Continuing Directors, by a vote of at least majority of such Continuing Directors, no Stockholder approval of such transaction shall be required unless the MGCL or another provision of the charter or Bylaws otherwise requires such approval.

For the purposes of this Article VII:

Continuing Director” means (i) the directors identified in Section 4.01, (ii) the directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors is approved by a majority of the directors identified in Section 4.01, who are on the Board of Directors at the time of the nomination or election, as applicable, or (iii) any successor directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors or successor Continuing Directors, who are on the Board of Directors at the time of the nomination or election, as applicable.


Article VIII. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS

During the Restricted Period, a Stockholder shall not transfer (whether by sale, gift, merger, by operation of law or otherwise), exchange, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of or encumber (collectively, “Transfer”) any shares of Common Stock acquired prior to the listing of the Common Shares on a national securities exchange (the “Listing”) to any person or entity unless (i) the Board of Directors provides prior written consent and (ii) the Transfer is made in accordance with applicable securities and other laws. The “Restricted Period” is 180 days after the date of the Listing for all of the shares of Common Stock held by a Stockholder prior to the date of the Listing, 270 days after the date of the Listing for two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock held by a Stockholder prior to the date of the Listing and 365 days after the date of the Listing for one-third of the shares of Common Stock held by a Stockholder prior to the date of the Listing. The Board of Directors may impose certain conditions in connection with granting its consent to a Transfer. Any purported Transfer of any shares of Common Stock effected in violation of this Article VIII shall be void ab initio and shall have no force or effect, and the Corporation shall not register or permit registration of (and shall direct its transfer agent, if any, not to register or permit registration of) any such purported Transfer on its books and records.

THIRD: The amendment to and restatement of the charter as hereinabove set forth have been duly advised by the Board of Directors and approved by the stockholders of the Corporation as required by law.

FOURTH: The current address of the principal office of the Corporation is as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

FIFTH: The name and address of the Corporation’s current resident agent are as set forth in Article III of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SIXTH: The number of directors of the Corporation and the names of those currently in office are as set forth in Article IV of the foregoing amendment and restatement of the charter.

SEVENTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately before the amendment and restatement of the charter as set forth above was 100,000,000 shares of stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, amounting in aggregate to $1,000,000.00

EIGHTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation had authority to issue immediately after the amendment and restatement of the charter as set forth above is 500,000,000 shares of stock, with a par value of $0.01 per share, amounting in aggregate to $5,000,000.00.

NINTH: The undersigned acknowledges these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be the corporate act of the Corporation and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of the undersigned’s knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

-Signature page follows-


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles of Amendment and Restatement to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and attested to by its Secretary on the 29th day of November, 2021.

 

ATTEST:       OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II

/s/ Neena Reddy

     

/s/ Jonathan Lamm

Neena Reddy

Secretary

     

Jonathan Lamm

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

[Amended and Restated Charter]

EX-3.2 3 d250734dex32.htm EX-3.2 EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP II.

BYLAWS

October 15, 2021

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. The principal office of the Corporation in the State of Maryland shall be located at such place as the Board of Directors may designate.

Section 2. ADDITIONAL OFFICES. The Corporation may have additional offices, including a principal executive office, at such places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. PLACE. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at such other place as shall be set by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2. ANNUAL MEETING. An annual meeting of the stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any business within the powers of the Corporation shall be held on a date and at the time set by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS.

(a) General. The Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors may call a special meeting of the stockholders. Subject to subsection (b) of this Section 3, a special meeting of stockholders shall also be called by the secretary of the Corporation upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.

(b) Stockholder Requested Special Meetings.

(1) Any stockholder of record seeking to have stockholders request a special meeting shall, by sending written notice to the secretary (the “Record Date Request Notice”) by registered mail, return receipt requested, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to request a special meeting (the “Request Record Date”). The Record Date Request Notice shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it, shall be signed by one or more stockholders of record as of the date of signature (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the Record Date Request Notice), shall bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) and shall set forth all information relating to each such stockholder that must be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Upon receiving the Record Date Request Notice, the Board of Directors may fix a Request Record Date. The Request Record Date shall not precede and shall not be more than ten days after the close of business on the date on which the resolution fixing the Request Record Date is adopted by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors, within ten days after the date on which a valid Record Date Request Notice is received, fails to adopt a resolution fixing the Request Record Date, the Request Record Date shall be the close of business on the tenth day after the first date on which the Record Date Request Notice is received by the secretary.


(2) In order for any stockholder to request a special meeting, one or more written requests for a special meeting signed by stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in a writing accompanying the request) as of the Request Record Date entitled to cast not less than a majority (the “Special Meeting Percentage”) of all of the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting (the “Special Meeting Request”) shall be delivered to the secretary. In addition, the Special Meeting Request shall (a) set forth the purpose of the meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at it (which shall be limited to those lawful matters set forth in the Record Date Request Notice received by the secretary), (b) bear the date of signature of each such stockholder (or such agent) signing the Special Meeting Request, (c) set forth the name and address, as they appear in the Corporation’s books, of each stockholder signing such request (or on whose behalf the Special Meeting Request is signed) and the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned by each such stockholder, and the nominee holder for, and number of, shares owned by such stockholder beneficially but not of record, (d) be sent to the secretary by registered mail, return receipt requested, and (e) be received by the secretary within 60 days after the Request Record Date. Any requesting stockholder (or agent duly authorized in a writing accompanying the revocation or the Special Meeting Request) may revoke his, her or its request for a special meeting at any time by written revocation delivered to the secretary.

(3) The secretary shall inform the requesting stockholders of the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing the notice of meeting (including the Corporation’s proxy materials). The secretary shall not be required to call a special meeting upon stockholder request and such meeting shall not be held unless, in addition to the documents required by paragraph (2) of this Section 3(b), the secretary receives payment of such reasonably estimated cost prior to the preparation and mailing of any notice of the meeting.

(4) Except as provided in the next sentence, any special meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors, whoever has called the meeting. In the case of any special meeting called by the secretary upon the request of stockholders (a “Stockholder Requested Meeting”), such meeting shall be held at such place, date and time as may be designated by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the date of any Stockholder Requested Meeting shall be not more than 90 days after the record date for such meeting (the “Meeting Record Date”); and provided further that if the Board of Directors fails to designate, within ten days after the date that a valid Special Meeting Request is actually received by the secretary (the “Delivery Date”), a date and time for a Stockholder Requested Meeting, then such meeting shall be held at 2:00 p.m. local time on the 90th day after the Meeting Record Date or, if such 90th day is not a Business Day (as defined below), on the first preceding Business Day; and provided further that in the event that the Board of Directors fails to designate a place for a Stockholder Requested Meeting within ten days after the Delivery Date, then such meeting shall be held at the principal executive office of the Corporation. In fixing a date for any special meeting, the Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the Board of Directors may consider such factors as he, she or it deems relevant within the good faith exercise of business judgment, including, without limitation, the nature of the matters to be considered, the facts and circumstances surrounding any request for meeting and any plan of the Board of Directors to call an annual meeting or a special meeting. In the case of any Stockholder Requested Meeting, if the Board of Directors fails to fix a Meeting Record Date that is a date within 30 days after the Delivery Date, then the close of business on the 30th day after the Delivery Date shall be the Meeting Record Date. The Board of Directors may revoke the notice for any Stockholder Requested Meeting in the event that the requesting stockholders fail to comply with the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Section 3(b).

(5) If written revocations of the Special Meeting Request have been delivered to the secretary and the result is that stockholders of record (or their agents duly authorized in writing), as of the Request Record Date, entitled to cast less than the Special Meeting Percentage have delivered, and not revoked, requests for a special meeting to the secretary, the secretary shall: (i) if the notice of meeting has not already been mailed, refrain from mailing the notice of the meeting and send to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked such requests written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting, or (ii) if the notice of meeting has been mailed and if the secretary first sends to all requesting stockholders who have not revoked requests for a special meeting written notice of any revocation of a request for the special meeting and written notice of the secretary’s intention to revoke the notice of the meeting, revoke the notice of the meeting at any time before ten days before the commencement of the meeting. Any request for a special meeting received after a revocation by the secretary of a notice of a meeting shall be considered a request for a new special meeting.


(6) The Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, chief executive officer or the president may appoint independent inspectors of elections to act as the agent of the Corporation for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of any purported Special Meeting Request received by the secretary. For the purpose of permitting the inspectors to perform such review, no such purported request shall be deemed to have been delivered to the secretary until the earlier of (i) five Business Days after receipt by the secretary of such purported request and (ii) such date as the independent inspectors certify to the Corporation that the valid requests received by the secretary represent, as of the Request Record Date, not less than the Special Meeting Percentage. Nothing contained in this paragraph (6) shall in any way be construed to suggest or imply that the Corporation or any stockholder shall not be entitled to contest the validity of any request, whether during or after such five Business Day period, or to take any other action (including, without limitation, the commencement, prosecution or defense of any litigation with respect thereto, and the seeking of injunctive relief in such litigation).

(7) For purposes of these Bylaws, “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

Section 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS. Not less than ten nor more than 90 days before each meeting of stockholders, the secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and to each stockholder not entitled to vote who is entitled to notice of the meeting notice in writing or by electronic transmission stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting or as otherwise may be required by any statute, the purpose for which the meeting is called, either by mail, by presenting it to such stockholder personally, by leaving it at the stockholder’s residence or usual place of business or by any other means permitted by Maryland law. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. If transmitted electronically, such notice shall be deemed to be given when transmitted to the stockholder by an electronic transmission to any address or number of the stockholder at which the stockholder receives electronic transmissions. A single notice shall be effective as to all stockholders who share an address, except to the extent that a stockholder at such address objects to such single notice. Failure to give notice of any meeting to one or more stockholders, or any irregularity in such notice, shall not affect the validity of any meeting fixed in accordance with this Article II, or the validity of any proceedings at any such meeting.

Subject to Section 11(a) of this Article II, any business of the Corporation may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders without being specifically designated in the notice, except such business as is required by any statute to be stated in such notice. No business shall be transacted at a special meeting of stockholders except as specifically designated in the notice. The Corporation may postpone or cancel a meeting of stockholders by making a “public announcement” (as defined in Section 11(c)(3)) of such postponement or cancellation prior to the meeting.

Section 5. ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT. Every meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by an individual appointed by the Board of Directors to be chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such appointment, by the Chairman of the Board, if any, or, in the case of a vacancy in the office or absence of the Chairman of the Board, by one of the following officers present at the meeting: the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the secretary, the treasurer, the chief operating officer, if any, the chief financial officer, if any, or, in the absence of such officers, a chairman chosen by the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by stockholders present in person or by proxy. The secretary or, in the secretary’s absence, an assistant secretary or, in the absence of both the secretary and assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such appointment, an individual appointed by the chairman of the meeting shall act as secretary. In the event that the secretary presides at a meeting of the stockholders, an assistant secretary, or, in the absence of assistant secretaries, an individual appointed by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, shall record the minutes of the meeting. The order of business, including but not limited to, the order of any proposals to be submitted to the stockholders (contingent or otherwise), and all other matters of procedure at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such action as, in the discretion of the chairman and without any action by the stockholders, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation: (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders


of record of the Corporation entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies or other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments by participants; (e) determining when the polls should be opened and closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; (g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding a meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; and (i) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

Section 6. QUORUM. The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast (without regard to class) shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the stockholders, except with respect to any such matter that, under applicable statutes or regulatory requirements, requires approval by a separate vote of one or more classes of stock, in which case the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by each such class on such a matter shall constitute a quorum. This section shall not affect any requirement under any statute or the charter of the Corporation for the vote necessary for the adoption of any measure.

If, however, such quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power to (a) adjourn the meeting from time to time to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date without notice other than announcement at the meeting or (b) conclude the meeting without adjournment to another date. If a meeting is adjourned and a quorum is present at such adjournment, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified.

The stockholders present either in person or by proxy, at a meeting which has been duly called and convened, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, a majority of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to elect a director. Directors shall be elected by a plurality of all the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present for which, as of the tenth day preceding the date the Corporation first mails or electronically transmits the notice of such meeting to the stockholders, the number of nominees for the directorships (or, if applicable, the directorships of a particular class of directors) exceeds the number of such directors to be elected (a “Contested Election”). Each share may be voted for as many individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the share is entitled to be voted. A majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to approve any other matter which may properly come before the meeting, unless a different vote is required by statute, including, but not limited to, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder, the (“Investment Company Act”) or by the charter of the Corporation. Unless otherwise provided in the charter, each outstanding share, regardless of class, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.

Section 8. PROXIES. A stockholder may cast the votes entitled to be cast by the holder of the shares of stock owned of record by the stockholder in person or by proxy executed by the stockholder or by the stockholder’s duly authorized agent in any manner permitted by law. Such proxy or evidence of authorization of such proxy shall be filed with the secretary of the Corporation before or at the meeting. No proxy shall be valid more than eleven months after its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy.

Section 9. VOTING OF STOCK BY CERTAIN HOLDERS. Stock of the Corporation registered in the name of a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, if entitled to be voted, may be voted by the chief executive officer, president or a vice president, a general partner or trustee thereof, as the case may be, or a proxy appointed by any of the foregoing individuals, unless some other person who has been appointed to vote such stock pursuant to a bylaw or a resolution of the governing body of such corporation or other entity or agreement of the partners of a partnership presents a certified copy of such bylaw, resolution or agreement, in which case such person may vote such stock. Any director or other fiduciary may vote stock registered in his or her name as such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy.


Shares of stock of the Corporation directly or indirectly owned by it shall not be voted at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares entitled to be voted at any given time, unless they are held by it in a fiduciary capacity, in which case they may be voted and shall be counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

The Board of Directors may adopt by resolution a procedure by which a stockholder may certify in writing to the Corporation that any shares of stock registered in the name of the stockholder are held for the account of a specified person other than the stockholder. The resolution shall set forth the class of stockholders who may make the certification, the purpose for which the certification may be made, the form of certification and the information to be contained in it; if the certification is with respect to a record date, the time after the record date within which the certification must be received by the Corporation; and any other provisions with respect to the procedure which the Board of Directors considers necessary or desirable. On receipt of such certification, the person specified in the certification shall be regarded as, for the purposes set forth in the certification, the stockholder of record of the specified stock in place of the stockholder who makes the certification.

Section 10. INSPECTORS. The Board of Directors or the chair of the meeting may appoint, before or at the meeting, one or more inspectors for the meeting and any successor thereto. The inspectors, if any, shall (i) determine the number of shares of stock represented at the meeting, in person or by proxy and the validity and effect of proxies, (ii) receive and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, (iii) report such tabulation to the chair of the meeting, (iv) hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, and (v) do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders. Each such report shall be in writing and signed by him or her or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors. The report of the inspector or inspectors on the number of shares represented at the meeting and the results of the voting shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

Section 11. ADVANCE NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR AND OTHER STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS.

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

(1) Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors and the proposal of other business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice by the stockholder as provided for in this Section 11(a) and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with this Section 11(a).

(2) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a)(1) of this Section 11, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for action by the stockholders. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall set forth all information required under this Section 11 and shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 150th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting nor later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more than 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting (or if an annual meeting has not previously been held), notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes


to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such individual, (B) the class, series and number of any shares of stock of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by such individual, (C) the date such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, (D) whether such stockholder believes any such individual is, or is not, an “interested person” of the Corporation, as defined in the Investment Company Act and information regarding such individual that is sufficient, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to make such determination and (E) all other information relating to such individual that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder (including such individual’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a description of such business, the reasons for proposing such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder or the Stockholder Associated Person therefrom; (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and any Stockholder Associated Person, (A) the class, series and number of all shares of stock of the Corporation which are owned by such stockholder and by such Stockholder Associated Person, if any, (B) the nominee holder for, and number of, shares owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder and by any such Stockholder Associated Person, (C) whether and the extent to which any hedging or other transaction or series of transactions has been entered into by or on behalf of, or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares) has been made, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to or manage risk of share price changes for, or to increase the voting power of, such stockholder or any such Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any shares of stock of the Corporation (collectively, “Hedging Activities”) and (D) a general description of whether and the extent to which such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person has engaged in Hedging Activities with respect to shares of stock or other equity interests of any other company; (iv) as to the stockholder giving the notice and any Stockholder Associated Person covered by clauses (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph (2) of this Section 11(a), (A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s stock ledger and current name and address, if different, and of such Stockholder Associated Person; and (B) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person; and (v) to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the nominee for election or reelection as a director or the proposal of other business on the date of such stockholder’s notice.

(3) Such stockholder’s notice shall, with respect to any Proposed Nominee, be accompanied by a certificate executed by the Proposed Nominee (i) certifying that such Proposed Nominee (a) is not, and will not become, a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (b) will serve as a director of the Corporation if elected; and (ii) attaching a completed Proposed Nominee questionnaire (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Corporation, upon request, to the stockholder providing the notice and shall include all information relating to the Proposed Nominee that would be required to be disclosed in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of the Proposed Nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or would otherwise be required in connection with such solicitation, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder, or would be required pursuant to the rules of any national securities exchange on which any securities of the Corporation are listed or over-the-counter market on which any securities of the Corporation are traded).

(4) Notwithstanding anything in this subsection (a) of this Section 11 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public announcement of such action at least 130 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 11(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the tenth day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.


(5) For purposes of this Section 11, “Stockholder Associated Person” of any stockholder shall mean (i) any person controlling, directly or indirectly, or acting in concert with, such stockholder, (ii) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder, and (iii) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Stockholder Associated Person.

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such special meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving of notice provided for in this Section 11 and at the time of the special meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more individuals to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election as a director as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by paragraph (a)(2) of this Section 11 shall be delivered to the secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not earlier than the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the later of the 90th day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. The public announcement of a postponement or adjournment of a special meeting shall not commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(c) General.

(1) If information submitted pursuant to this Section 11 by any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a Director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall be inaccurate to a material extent, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11. Upon written request by the secretary or the Board of Directors, any stockholder proposing a nominee for election as a Director or any proposal for other business at a meeting of stockholders shall provide, within five Business Days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (A) written verification, satisfactory, in the discretion of the Board of Directors or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 and (B) a written update of any information previously submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 11 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification or written update within such period, the information as to which written verification or a written update was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 11.

(2) Only such individuals who are nominated in accordance with this Section 11 shall be eligible for election by stockholders as directors, and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 11. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power (i) to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11 (including whether the stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, solicited (or is part of a group which solicited) or did not so solicit, as the case may be, proxies or votes in support of such stockholder’s nominee or proposal in compliance with such stockholder’s representation as required by clause (a)(3) of this Section 11) and (ii) if any proposed nomination or business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 11, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation.


(3) For purposes of this Section 11, (i) “the date of the proxy statement” shall have the same meaning as “the date of the company’s proxy statement released to stockholders” as used in Rule 14a-8(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as interpreted by the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, (ii) “public announcement” shall mean disclosure (x) in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press, Business Wire, PR Newswire or other widely circulated news or wire service or (y) in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Investment Company Act, and (iii) to be considered a “qualified representative of the stockholder,” a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of the stockholders.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 11. Nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to affect any right of a stockholder to request inclusion of a proposal in, nor the right of the Corporation to omit a proposal from, the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 (or any successor provision) under the Exchange Act.

Section 12. VOTING BY BALLOT. Voting on any question or in any election may be viva voce unless the presiding officer shall order or any stockholder shall demand that voting be by ballot.

Section 13. CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION ACT. Notwithstanding any other provision of the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws, Subtitle 7 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”), or any successor statute, shall not apply to any acquisition by any person of shares of stock of the Corporation. This section may be repealed, in whole or in part, at any time, whether before or after an acquisition of control shares and, upon such repeal, may, to the extent provided by any successor bylaw, apply to any prior or subsequent control share acquisition.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

Section 1. GENERAL POWERS. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.

Section 2. NUMBER, TENURE AND RESIGNATION. At any regular meeting or at any special meeting of the Board of Directors called for that purpose, a majority of the entire Board of Directors may establish, increase or decrease the number of directors, provided that the number thereof shall never be less than the minimum number required by the MGCL, nor more than eleven, and further provided that the tenure of office of a director shall not be affected by any decrease in the number of directors. Any director of the Corporation may resign at any time by delivering his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation.

Section 3. ANNUAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS. An annual meeting of the Board of Directors may be held immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders, no notice other than this Bylaw being necessary. In the event such meeting is not so held, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held from time to time at such places and times as provided by the Board of Directors by resolution, without notice other than such resolution.

Section 4. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or by a majority of the directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place for the holding of special meetings of the Board of Directors without notice other than such resolution.


Section 5. NOTICE. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally or by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile transmission, United States mail or courier to each director at his or her business or residence address. Notice by personal delivery, telephone, electronic mail or facsimile transmission shall be given at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Notice by United States mail shall be given at least three days prior to the meeting. Notice by courier shall be given at least two days prior to the meeting. Telephone notice shall be deemed to be given when the director or his or her agent is personally given such notice in a telephone call to which the director or his or her agent is a party. Electronic mail notice shall be deemed to be given upon transmission of the message to the electronic mail address given to the Corporation by the director. Facsimile transmission notice shall be deemed to be given upon completion of the transmission of the message to the number given to the Corporation by the director and receipt of a completed answer-back indicating receipt. Notice by United States mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail properly addressed, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice by courier shall be deemed to be given when deposited with or delivered to a courier properly addressed. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be stated in the notice, unless specifically required by statute or these Bylaws.

Section 6. QUORUM. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that, if less than a majority of such directors are present at such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice, and provided further that if, pursuant to applicable law, the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws, the vote of a majority or other percentage of a particular group of directors is required for action, a quorum must also include a majority of such group.

The directors present at a meeting which has been duly called and convened may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.

Section 7. VOTING. The action of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable statute or the charter. If enough directors have withdrawn from a meeting to leave less than a quorum but the meeting is not adjourned, the action of the majority of that number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum at such meeting shall be the action of the Board of Directors, unless the concurrence of a greater proportion is required for such action by applicable statute or the charter.

Section 8. ORGANIZATION. At each meeting of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall act as Chairman. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer or in the absence of the chief executive officer, the president or in the absence of the president, a director chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall act as Chairman. The secretary or, in his or her absence, an assistant secretary of the Corporation, or in the absence of the secretary and all assistant secretaries, a person appointed by the Chairman, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

Section 9. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time; provided however, this Section 9 does not apply to any action of the directors pursuant to the Investment Company Act, that requires the vote of the directors to be cast in person at a meeting. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 10. WRITTEN CONSENT BY DIRECTORS. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent to such action is given in writing or by electronic transmission and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors; provided however, this Section 10 does not apply to any action of the directors pursuant to the Investment Company Act, that requires the vote of the directors to be cast in person at a meeting.

Section 11. VACANCIES. If for any reason any or all the directors cease to be directors, such event shall not terminate the Corporation or affect these Bylaws or the powers of the remaining directors hereunder, if any. Pursuant to the Corporation’s election in Article IV of the charter, subject to applicable requirements of the Investment Company Act, except as may be provided by the Board of Directors in setting the terms of any class or


series of preferred stock, (a) any vacancy on the Board of Directors may be filled only by a majority of the remaining directors, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum and (b) any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies.

Section 12. COMPENSATION. Directors shall not receive any stated salary for their services as directors but, by resolution of the Board of Directors, may receive compensation per year and/or per meeting and/or per visit to real property or other facilities owned or leased by the Corporation and for any service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors. Directors may be reimbursed for expenses of attendance, if any, at each annual, regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof and for their expenses, if any, in connection with each property visit and any other service or activity they performed or engaged in as directors; but nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any directors from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 13. LOSS OF DEPOSITS. No director shall be liable for any loss which may occur by reason of the failure of the bank, trust company, savings and loan association, or other institution with whom moneys or stock have been deposited.

Section 14. SURETY BONDS. Unless required by law, no director shall be obligated to give any bond or surety or other security for the performance of any of his or her duties.

Section 15. RELIANCE. Each director and officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties with respect to the Corporation, be entitled to rely on any information, opinion, report or statement, including any financial statement or other financial data, prepared or presented by an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the director or officer reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, by a lawyer, certified public accountant or other person, as to a matter which the director or officer reasonably believes to be within the person’s professional or expert competence, or, with respect to a director, by a committee of the Board of Directors on which the director does not serve, as to a matter within its designated authority, if the director reasonably believes the committee to merit confidence.

Section 16. RATIFICATION. The Board of Directors or the stockholders may ratify and make binding on the Corporation any action or inaction by the Corporation or its officers to the extent that the Board of Directors or the stockholders could have originally authorized the matter. Moreover, any action or inaction questioned in any stockholders’ derivative proceeding or any other proceeding on the ground of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a director, officer or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, or the application of improper principles or practices of accounting, may be ratified, before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders and such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of such questioned action or inaction.

Section 17. EMERGENCY PROVISIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision in the charter or these Bylaws, this Section 17 shall apply during the existence of any catastrophe, or other similar emergency condition, as a result of which a quorum of the Board of Directors under Article III of these Bylaws cannot readily be obtained (an “Emergency”). During any Emergency, unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, (i) a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof may be called by any director or officer by any means feasible under the circumstances; (ii) notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors during such an Emergency may be given less than 24 hours prior to the meeting to as many directors and by such means as may be feasible at the time, including publication, television or radio, and (iii) the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum shall be one-third of the entire Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

COMMITTEES

Section 1. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS. The Board of Directors may appoint from among its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, a Valuation Committee and other committees, composed of one or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.


Section 2. POWERS. The Board of Directors may delegate to committees appointed under Section 1 of this Article any of the powers of the Board of Directors, except as prohibited by law.

Section 3. MEETINGS. Notice of committee meetings shall be given in the same manner as notice for special meetings of the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the committee. The act of a majority of the committee members present at a meeting shall be the act of such committee. The Board of Directors may designate a chairman of any committee, and such chairman or, in the absence of a chairman, any two members of any committee (if there are at least two members of the committee) may fix the time and place of its meeting unless the Board shall otherwise provide. In the absence of any member of any such committee, the members thereof present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint another director to act in the place of such absent member. Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings.

Section 4. TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Members of a committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by these means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

Section 5. WRITTEN CONSENT BY COMMITTEES. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a consent to such action is given in writing or by electronic transmission by each member of the committee and is filed with the minutes of proceedings of such committee.

Section 6. VACANCIES. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors shall have the power at any time to change the membership of any committee, to fill any vacancy, to designate one or more alternate members to replace any absent or disqualified member or to dissolve any such committee. Subject to the power of the Board of Directors, the members of the committee shall have the power to fill any vacancies on the committee.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS. The officers of the Corporation shall include a president, a secretary and a treasurer and may include a chief executive officer, one or more vice presidents, a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a chief investment officer, a chief compliance officer, one or more assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers. In addition, the Board of Directors may from time to time elect such other officers with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary or desirable. The Board of Directors may designate a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board, who shall not, solely by reason of such designation, be officers of the Corporation but shall have such powers and duties as determined by the Board of Directors from time to time. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors, except that the chief executive officer or president may from time to time appoint one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries, assistant treasurers or other officers. Each officer shall serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until death, resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. Any two or more offices except president and vice president may be held by the same person. Election of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights between the Corporation and such officer or agent.

Section 2. REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION. Any officer or agent of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors if in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice of his or her resignation to the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or the secretary. Any resignation shall take effect immediately upon its receipt or at such later time specified in the notice of resignation. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless otherwise stated in the resignation. Such resignation shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the Corporation.


Section 3. VACANCIES. A vacancy in any office may be filled by the Board of Directors for the balance of the term.

Section 4. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief executive officer. In the absence of such designation, the president shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The chief executive officer shall have general responsibility for implementation of the policies of the Corporation, as determined by the Board of Directors, and for the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 5. CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief operating officer. The chief operating officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 6. CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief investment officer. The chief investment officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 7. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Board of Directors may designate a chief financial officer. The chief financial officer shall have the responsibilities and duties as set forth by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer.

Section 8. CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER. The Board of Directors shall designate a chief compliance officer to the extent required by and consistent with the requirements of, the Investment Company Act of 1940. The chief compliance officer, subject to the direction of and reporting to the Board of Directors, shall be responsible for the oversight of the Corporation’s compliance with the Federal securities laws. The designation, compensation and removal of the chief compliance officer must be approved by the Board of Directors, including a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) of the Corporation. The chief compliance officer shall perform such executive, supervisory and management functions and duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time.

Section 9. PRESIDENT. In the absence of a designation of a chief executive officer by the Board of Directors, the president shall be the chief executive officer. He or she may execute any deed, mortgage, bond, contract or other instrument, except in cases where the execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of president and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 10. VICE PRESIDENTS. In the absence of the president or in the event of a vacancy in such office, the vice president (or in the event there be more than one vice president, the vice presidents in the order designated at the time of their election or, in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such vice president by the chief executive officer, president or by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more vice presidents as executive vice president, senior vice president or as vice president for particular areas of responsibility.


Section 11. SECRETARY. The secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall be furnished to the secretary by such stockholder; (e) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (f) in general perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the chief executive officer, the president or by the Board of Directors.

Section 12. TREASURER. The treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. In the absence of a designation of a chief financial officer by the Board of Directors, the treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the Corporation.

The treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the chief executive officer, president and Board of Directors, at the regular meetings of the Board of Directors or whenever it may so require, an account of all his or her transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation.

Section 13. ASSISTANT SECRETARIES AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, in general, shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to them by the secretary or treasurer, respectively, or by the chief executive officer, president or the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

Section 1. CONTRACTS. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or agent to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Any agreement, deed, mortgage, lease or other document shall be valid and binding upon the Corporation when authorized or ratified by action of the Board of Directors and executed by an authorized person.

Section 2. CHECKS AND DRAFTS. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or agent of the Corporation in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. DEPOSITS. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may designate.

ARTICLE VII

STOCK

Section 1. CERTIFICATES; REQUIRED INFORMATION. The Corporation may issue some or all of the shares of any or all of the Corporation’s classes or series of stock without certificates if authorized by the Board of Directors. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock represented by certificates, such certificates shall be in such form as prescribed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized officer, shall contain the statements and information required by the MGCL and shall be signed by the officers of the Corporation in the manner permitted by the MGCL. In the event that the Corporation issues shares of stock without certificates, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to the record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates. There shall be no differences in the rights and obligations of stockholders based on whether or not their shares are represented by certificates. If a class or series of stock is authorized by the Board of Directors to be issued without certificates, no stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate or certificates representing any shares of such class or series of stock held by such stockholder unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors and then only upon written request by such stockholder to the secretary of the Corporation.

 


Section 2. TRANSFERS. All transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation, by the holder of the shares, in person or by his or her attorney, in such manner as the Board of Directors or any officer of the Corporation may prescribe and, if such shares are certificated, upon surrender of certificates duly endorsed. The issuance of a new certificate upon the transfer of certificated shares is subject to the determination of the Board of Directors that such shares shall no longer be represented by certificates. Upon the transfer of uncertificated shares, to the extent then required by the MGCL, the Corporation shall provide to record holders of such shares a written statement of the information required by the MGCL to be included on stock certificates.

The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share of stock as the holder in fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Maryland.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, transfers of shares of any class or series of stock will be subject in all respects to the charter of the Corporation and all of the terms and conditions contained therein.

Section 3. REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE. The president, the secretary, the treasurer or any officer designated by the Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated; provided, however, if such shares have ceased to be certificated, no new certificate shall be issued unless requested in writing by such stockholder and the Board of Directors has determined such certificates may be issued. Unless otherwise determined by an officer of the Corporation, the owner of such lost, destroyed, stolen or mutilated certificate or certificates, or his or her legal representative, shall be required, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, to give the Corporation a bond in such sums as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation.

Section 4. FIXING OF RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may set, in advance, a record date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any other rights, or in order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed and shall be not more than 90 days and, in the case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten days, before the date on which the meeting or particular action requiring such determination of stockholders of record is to be held or taken.

When a determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall apply to any adjournment or postponement thereof, except when the meeting is adjourned or postponed to a date more than 120 days after the record date fixed for the original meeting, in which case a new record date shall be determined as set forth herein.

Section 5. STOCK LEDGER. The Corporation shall maintain at its principal office or at the office of its counsel, accountants or transfer agent, an original or duplicate share ledger containing the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares of each class held by such stockholder.

Section 6. FRACTIONAL STOCK; ISSUANCE OF UNITS. The Board of Directors may issue fractional stock or provide for the issuance of scrip, all on such terms and under such conditions as they may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of the charter or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may issue units consisting of different securities of the Corporation. Any security issued in a unit shall have the same characteristics as any identical securities issued by the Corporation, except that the Board of Directors may provide that for a specified period securities of the Corporation issued in such unit may be transferred on the books of the Corporation only in such unit.


ARTICLE VIII

ACCOUNTING YEAR

The Board of Directors shall have the power, from time to time, to fix the fiscal year of the Corporation by a duly adopted resolution.

ARTICLE IX

DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 1. AUTHORIZATION. Dividends and other distributions upon the stock of the Corporation may be authorized by the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of law and the charter of the Corporation. Dividends and other distributions may be paid in cash, property or stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of law and the charter.

Section 2. CONTINGENCIES. Before payment of any dividends or other distributions, there may be set aside out of any assets of the Corporation available for dividends or other distributions such sum or sums as the Board of Directors may from time to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund for contingencies, for equalizing dividends, for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.

ARTICLE X

SEAL

Section 1. SEAL. The Board of Directors may authorize the adoption of a seal by the Corporation. The seal shall contain the name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation and the words “Incorporated Maryland.” The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals and provide for the custody thereof.

Section 2. AFFIXING SEAL. Whenever the Corporation is permitted or required to affix its seal to a document, it shall be sufficient to meet the requirements of any law, rule or regulation relating to a seal to place the word “(SEAL)” adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to execute the document on behalf of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XI

WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever any notice is required to be given pursuant to the charter of the Corporation or these Bylaws or pursuant to applicable law, a waiver thereof in writing or by electronic transmission, given by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any meeting need be set forth in the waiver of notice, unless specifically required by statute. The attendance of any person at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.


ARTICLE XII

EXCLUSIVE FORUM

Section 1. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City (or, if that Court does not have jurisdiction, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Northern Division) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of any standard of conduct or legal duty owed by any director, officer or other agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the MGCL or the Charter or the Bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time), or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. In the event that any action or proceeding described in the preceding sentence is pending in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland, all parties shall cooperate in seeking to have the action or proceeding assigned to the Business & Technology Case Management Program.

Section 2. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 1 of this Article XII is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Maryland (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Maryland in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the preceding sentence and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

ARTICLE XIII

INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT

If and to the extent that any provision of the MGCL, including, without limitation, Subtitle 6 and, if then applicable, Subtitle 7, of Title 3 of the MGCL, or any provision of the charter or these Bylaws conflicts with any provision of the Investment Company Act, the applicable provision of the Investment Company Act shall control.

ARTICLE VIV

AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power, at any time, to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of these Bylaws and to make new Bylaws.

EX-4.1 4 d250734dex41.htm EX-4.1 EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II

(A Maryland Corporation)

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

Article I.

 

Section 1.01

Subscription.

 

  (a)

Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties contained in this subscription agreement (this “Subscription Agreement”), the undersigned (the “Investor”) irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Shares”), of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II (the “Company”) on the terms and conditions described herein, in the Company’s Confidential Private Placement Memorandum (together with any appendices and supplements thereto, the “Memorandum”), in the Company’s Amended and Restated Charter, dated as of November 29, 2021 (the “Charter”), in the Company’s Bylaws, dated as of October 15, 2021 (the “Bylaws”), in the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC (the “Adviser”), dated as of December 1, 2021 (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) and in the Administration Agreement between the Company and the Adviser, dated as of December 1, 2021 (the “Administration Agreement” and together with the Charter, the Bylaws, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Memorandum, the “Operative Documents”). The Investor has received the Operative Documents. The Company expects to enter into separate subscription agreements (the “Other Subscription Agreements”) with other investors (the “Other Investors,” and together with the Investor, the “Investors”), providing for the sale of Shares to the Other Investors. This Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements are separate agreements, and the sales of Shares to the undersigned and the Other Investors are to be separate sales.

 

  (b)

The Investor agrees to purchase Shares for an aggregate purchase price equal to the amount set forth on the signature page hereof (the “Capital Commitment”), payable at such times and in such amounts as required by the Company, under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein. On each Drawdown Date (as defined below), the Investor agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company agrees to issue to the Investor, a number of Shares equal to the Drawdown Share Amount (as defined below) at an aggregate price equal to the Drawdown Purchase Price (as defined below); provided, however, that in no circumstance will an Investor be required to purchase Shares for an amount in excess of its Unused Capital Commitment (as defined below).

Drawdown Purchase Price” shall mean, for each Drawdown Date, an amount in U.S. dollars determined by multiplying (i) the aggregate amount of Capital Commitments being drawn down by the Company from all Investors on that Drawdown Date, by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the Unused Capital Commitment of the Investor and the denominator of which is the aggregate Unused Capital Commitments of all Investors that are not Defaulting Investors or Excluded Investors (as defined below).

Drawdown Share Amount” shall mean, for each Drawdown Date, a number of Shares determined by dividing (i) the Drawdown Purchase Price for that Drawdown Date by (ii) the Per Share NAV (as defined below) as of the Drawdown Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the procedures set forth in “II. Summary of Principal Terms and Conditions — Per Share Price Adjustments” and “IX. Determination of Net Asset Value —Determinations in Connection with a Drawdown or Subsequent Closing” in the Memorandum (the “Adjustment Procedures”), with the resulting quotient adjusted to the nearest whole number to avoid the issuance of fractional shares.

Per Share NAV” shall mean, for any date, the net asset value per share of Common Stock determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in “II. Summary of Principal Terms and Conditions — Valuation of Assets; Independent Valuation Firm,” and “IX. Determination of Net Asset Value” in the Memorandum (as those procedures may be changed from time to time in a manner consistent with the limitations of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) as of the last day of the Company’s fiscal quarter immediately preceding such date.

 

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Unused Capital Commitment” shall mean, with respect to an Investor, the amount of such Investor’s Capital Commitment as of any date reduced by the aggregate amount of contributions made by that Investor at all previous Drawdown Dates pursuant to Section 1.01(b).

 

Section 1.02

Closings.

 

  (a)

The closing of this subscription agreement will take place at 399 Park Ave. 38th Floor, New York, New York on the date set forth on the signature page hereto (such date being the “Closing Date,” and the date upon which the first closing of any Subscription Agreement occurs being referred to herein as the “Initial Closing Date” and the date of the last Closing prior to the date on which the Adviser determines, in its sole discretion, to stop accepting Capital Commitments, the “Final Closing Date”)). The Investor agrees to provide any information reasonably requested by the Company to verify the accuracy of the representations contained herein, including without limitation the subscription application attached as Appendix A (the “Subscription Application”). Promptly after the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to the Investor or its representative, if the Investor’s subscription has been accepted, a countersigned copy of this Subscription Agreement.

 

  (b)

The Company may enter into Other Subscription Agreements with Other Investors after the Closing Date, with any closing thereunder referred to as a “Subsequent Closing” and any Other Investor whose subscription has been accepted at such Subsequent Closing referred to as a “Subsequent Investor.”

 

  (c)

At each Drawdown Date following any Subsequent Closing, all Investors, including Subsequent Investors, shall purchase Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.01(b); provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of Drawdown Share Amount and the provisions of Section 2.01(b), nothing in this Subscription Agreement shall prohibit the Company from issuing Shares to Subsequent Investors at a per share price greater than the Per Share NAV as of the Drawdown Date, as adjusted pursuant to the Adjustment Procedures.

 

  (d)

In the event that any Investor is permitted by the Company to make an additional capital commitment to purchase Shares on a date after its initial subscription has been accepted, such Investor will be required to enter into a separate subscription agreement with the Company and such other documents as may be requested by the Company, it being understood and agreed that such separate subscription agreement will be considered to be an Other Subscription Agreement for the purposes of this Subscription Agreement.

Article II.

 

Section 2.01

Drawdowns.

 

  (a)

Subject to Section 2.01(f), purchases of Shares will take place on dates selected by the Company in its sole discretion (each, a “Drawdown Date”) and shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.01(b).

 

  (b)

Prior to each Drawdown Date, the Company shall deliver to the Investor a notice (each, a “Drawdown Notice”) setting forth (i) the aggregate purchase price for Shares being purchased on the Drawdown Date; (ii) the applicable Drawdown Purchase Price; (iii) the estimated Drawdown Share Amount; (iv) Per Share NAV as of the applicable Drawdown Date, and (v) the account to which the Drawdown Purchase Price should be wired. The Company shall deliver each Drawdown Notice to the Investor at least 10 Business Days prior to the Drawdown Date. On the Drawdown Date, if as a result of adjustments to the Per Share NAV in accordance with the Adjustment Procedures, the estimated Drawdown Share Amount set forth in the Drawdown Notice is not the actual Drawdown Share Amount, the Company will deliver to the Investor an additional notice setting forth the adjusted Per Share NAV and the actual Drawdown Share Amount. A form of Drawdown Notice is attached hereto as Appendix B.

For the purposes of this Subscription Agreement, the term “Business Day” means any day, other than Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday, and shall consist of the time period from 12:01 a.m. through 12:00 midnight Eastern time.

 

  (c)

The delivery of a Drawdown Notice to the Investor shall be the sole and exclusive condition to the Investor’s obligation to pay the Drawdown Purchase Price identified in each Drawdown Notice.

 

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  (d)

On each Drawdown Date, the Investor shall pay the Drawdown Purchase Price to the Company by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars to the account specified in the Drawdown Notice.

 

  (e)

Upon payment of the Drawdown Purchase Price to the Company, the Company shall issue to each Investor a number of Shares determined by dividing (x) the Drawdown Purchase Price by (y) the Per Share NAV as of the Drawdown Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the Adjustment Procedures; provided, however, that notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 1.01(b) and 2.02, on the first Drawdown Date following the Company’s acceptance of a Subsequent Investor’s Subscription Agreement, upon payment of the Drawdown Purchase Price by such Subsequent Investor, the Company shall issue to such Subsequent Investor a number of Shares determined by dividing (x) the Drawdown Purchase Price paid minus the Organizational Expense Allocation by (y) the Per Share NAV as of the Drawdown Date, subject to adjustment in accordance with the Adjustment Procedures.

Organizational Expense Allocation” means, with respect to an Investor, the product obtained by multiplying (i) a fraction, the numerator of which is such Investor’s Capital Commitment and the denominator of which is the total Capital Commitments received by the Company through such date by (ii) the total amount of organizational expenses spent by the Company in connection with the Company’s formation.

 

  (f)

The Company has appointed State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts company, to act as transfer agent and registrar for the Shares.

 

  (g)

At the earlier of (i) the date of a Liquidity Event (as defined below), if any, and (ii) the end of the Commitment Period (as defined below), any Unused Capital Commitment (other than any Defaulted Commitment) shall automatically be reduced to zero, provided, however that for two years following the end of the Commitment Period and prior to a Liquidity Event, Investor’s will remain obligated to fund Drawdowns to the extent necessary to pay amounts due under Drawdown Notices that the Company may thereafter issue to: (a) pay Company expenses, including management fees, amounts that may become due under any borrowings or other financings or similar obligations, or indemnity obligations, (b) complete investments in any transactions for which there are binding written agreements as of the end of the Commitment Period (including investments that are funded in phases), (c) fund follow-on investments made in existing portfolio companies within three years from the end of the Commitment Period that, in the aggregate, do not exceed five percent (5%) of total Capital Commitments, (d) fund obligations under any Company guarantee, and/or (e) as necessary for the Company to preserve its status as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Code. Liquidity Event” means (i) a listing of the Company’s common stock on a national securities exchange (an “Exchange Listing”); (ii) a transaction, including a merger, in which the Company’s shareholders receive cash or shares of an entity, including an entity that is affiliated with the Company, and such shares are listed on a national securities exchange; or (iii) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. “Commitment Period” shall mean the period beginning on the Initial Closing Date and continuing through the earlier of (i) the five year anniversary of the Final Closing Date and (ii) the seven year anniversary of the Initial Closing Date. If the Company has not consummated a Liquidity Event by the end of the Commitment Period, subject to extension for two additional one-year periods, in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors (subject to any necessary Investors approvals and applicable requirements of the 1940 Act) will use its commercially reasonable efforts to wind down and/or liquidate and dissolve the Company in an orderly manner.

 

  (h)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Subscription Agreement, the Company shall have the right (a “Limited Exclusion Right”) to exclude any Investor (such Investor, an “Excluded Investor”) from purchasing Shares from the Company on any Drawdown Date if, in the reasonable discretion of the Company, there is a substantial likelihood that such Investor’s purchase of Shares at such time would (i) result in a violation of, or noncompliance with, any law or regulation to which such Investor, the Company, the Adviser, any Other Investor or a portfolio company would be subject or (ii) cause the investments of investors which are employee benefit plans or trusts subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (such plans or trusts referred to herein as “ERISA Plans”), or which are plans within the meaning of section 4975(e)(1) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (including individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) or Keogh plans covering only self-employed individuals (“Keogh Plans”)), or

 

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  which are deemed under ERISA or the Code to include assets of any such plan or arrangement (such plans, trusts and accounts, “Plans”) to be “significant” and any assets of the Company to be considered “plan assets” under ERISA or Section 4975 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). In the event that any Limited Exclusion Rights is exercised, the Company shall be authorized to issue an additional Drawdown Notice to the non-Excused Investors to make up any applicable shortfall caused by such Limited Exclusion Right.

Section 2.02 Pledging. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investor specifically agrees and consents that the Company may, at any time, and without further notice to or consent from the Investor (except to the extent otherwise provided in this Subscription Agreement), grant security over (and, in connection therewith, Transfer (as defined in Section 4.01(c)(i)) its right to draw down capital from the Investor pursuant to Section 2.01, and the Company’s right to receive the Drawdown Share Purchase Price (and any related rights of the Company), to lenders or other creditors of the Company, in connection with any indebtedness, guarantee or surety of the Company; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, any such grantee’s right to draw down capital shall be subject to the limitations on the Company’s right to draw down capital pursuant to Section 2.01. In connection with any such secured financing (a “Subscription Facility”), the Investor specifically agrees, for the benefit of the Company and such lenders, to the following:

(a) The Company may incur indebtedness for Company purposes pursuant to a Subscription Facility and secure such facility by (i) the Unused Capital Commitments, (ii) the Company’s rights to issue Drawdown Notices, (iii) the Company’s right to exercise remedies against the Investors and the Other Investors for failure to pay for such Shares as required by the Drawdown Notices, (iv) the deposit account into which the payments for such Shares will be wired on the applicable Drawdown Dates, and (v) any related collateral and proceeds thereof, (b) the Investor acknowledges and agrees that the lender (or agent for the lenders) under a Subscription Facility is relying on each Investor’s Unused Capital Commitment as its primary source of repayment and may issue future Drawdown Notices and may exercise all remedies of the Company with respect thereto as part of such lenders’ remedies under the Subscription Facility, (c) in the event of a failure by any Investor to pay for such Shares, the Company and such lender is entitled to pursue any and all remedies available to it under this Subscription Agreement, including issuing additional Drawdown Notices to non-Defaulting Investors in order to make up any deficiency caused by the default of the Investor, whose ownership in the Company would be diluted as a result, (d) the Investor agrees that its obligation to fund Drawdown Notices pursuant to Section 2.01 is irrevocable, and shall be without setoff, counterclaim or defense of any kind, including any defense pursuant to Section 365 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (other than any defenses provided hereunder), (e) the Investor has received full and adequate consideration on the date hereof for its Shares notwithstanding that they are to be paid and issued in subsequent installments, and any defense of non-consideration or similar defenses for its subscription are hereby waived by the Investor, whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceedings or otherwise, including any failure or inability of the Company to issue Shares or for any such Shares to have positive value on the date of a Drawdown Notice, (f) the Company may use the proceeds of any Share issuance for repaying outstanding loans under the Subscription Facility, (g) the Investor agrees that the Company may reveal the Investor’s identity on a confidential basis to the lenders under a Subscription Facility, (h) upon the reasonable request of the Company, the Investor will provide the Company with copies of its financial statements to the extent such financial statements are not otherwise publically available and information about the Investor’s beneficial owners to enable the Company to comply with underwriting requests from any lender under a Subscription Facility, (i) any claim the Investor may have against the Company or another Investor in the Company shall be subordinate to any claim a lender under the Subscription Facility may have against the Company or such Investor, (j) from time to time upon request, the Investor will provide to any lender under a Subscription Facility a certificate setting forth such Investor’s then Unused Capital Commitment, (k) it acknowledges and confirms that the terms of the applicable Subscription Facility and each agreement executed in connection therewith can be modified (including, without limitation, increases, decreases or renewals of credit extended, or the release of any guarantee or security) without further notice to such Investor and without its consent; provided, however, that in no event shall any such modification of any such document alter an Investor’s rights or obligations hereunder without such Investor’s written consent, (l) each Investor acknowledges that the making and performance of its obligations hereunder constitute private and commercial acts rather than governmental or public acts, and that neither it nor any of its properties or revenues has any right of immunity from suit, court jurisdiction, execution of a judgment or from any other legal process with respect to its obligations hereunder, and to the extent that it may hereafter be entitled to claim any such immunity, or to the extent that there may be attributed to it such an immunity (whether or not claimed), unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company, it hereby irrevocably agrees not to claim and hereby irrevocably waives such immunity, (m) upon the

 

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withdrawal or transfer of the Investor’s interest in the Company in accordance with the terms hereof, such Investor acknowledges that it may be required at the time of such withdrawal or transfer to fund a Drawdown Notice to repay amounts outstanding under the Subscription Facility equal to its share thereof; provided that such Investor shall not be required to fund a Drawdown Notice in excess of its Unused Capital Commitment, and (n) that the lenders under a Subscription Facility are third party beneficiaries of this Subscription Agreement who may rely on the Investor’s agreements in this Section 2.02 in providing a Subscription Facility to the Company.

 

Section 2.03

Dividends; Dividend Reinvestment Program.

 

  (a)

The Company generally intends to distribute, out of assets legally available for distribution, substantially all of its available earnings, on a quarterly basis, as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) in its discretion. The Company will reinvest all cash dividends declared by the Board of Directors on behalf of Investors who do not elect to receive their dividends in cash, crediting to each such Investor a number of Shares equal to the quotient determined by dividing the cash value of the dividend payable to such Investor by the Per Share NAV as of the date such dividend was declared, subject to adjustment in accordance with the Adjustment Procedures. The Investor may elect to receive any or all such dividends in cash by notifying the Adviser in writing no later than 10 days prior to the record date for the first dividend that the Investor wishes to receive in cash. The Investor and the Company agree and acknowledge that any dividends received by the Investor or reinvested by the Company on the Investor’s behalf shall have no effect on the amount of the Investor’s Unused Capital Commitment.

 

  (b)

The Company represents and warrants that it shall not make any distributions consisting of securities that are not Marketable Securities except in connection with liquidation distributions in accordance with Maryland General Corporate Law. “Marketable Securities” means securities which are traded or quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Global Market or on a comparable securities market or exchange now or in the future.

Article III.

Section 3.01 Remedies Upon Investor Default. In the event that an Investor fails to pay all or any portion of the Drawdown Purchase Price due from such Investor on any Drawdown Date (such amount, together with the full amount of such Investor’s remaining Capital Commitment, a “Defaulted Commitment”) and such default remains uncured for a period of 10 Business Days, the Company shall be permitted to declare such Investor to be in default of its obligations under this Subscription Agreement (any such Investor, a “Defaulting Investor”) and shall be permitted to pursue one or any combination of the following remedies:

 

  (a)

The Company may prohibit the Defaulting Investor from purchasing additional Shares on any future Drawdown Date;

 

  (b)

The Company may offer up to 100% of the Defaulting Investor’s Shares (the “Offered Shares”) first, to the Other Investors (other than any defaulting Other Investors) and if such Other Investors do not purchase all of such Offered Shares, to third parties for purchase at a price equal to the lesser of the then net asset value of such Shares or the highest price reasonably obtainable by the Company, subject to such other terms as the Company in its discretion shall determine, which offer(s) shall be binding upon the Defaulting Investor if the purchasing Other Investors or third parties agree to assume the related Capital Commitment with respect to such Shares of the Defaulting Investor, including any portion then due and unpaid, and the Company pursuant to its authority under Section 5.01 may execute on behalf of the Defaulting Investor any documents necessary to effect the Transfer (as defined herein) of the Defaulting Investor’s Shares pursuant to this Section 3.01(b); provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Subscription Agreement, no Shares shall be transferred to any Other Investor pursuant to this Section 3.01(b) in the event that such Transfer (as defined in herein) would (x) violate the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), the 1940 Act or any state (or other jurisdiction) securities or “Blue Sky” laws applicable to the Company or such Transfer (as defined in Section 4.01(c)(i)), (y) constitute a non-exempt “prohibited transaction” under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (z) cause all or any portion of the assets of the Company to constitute “plan assets” under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (it being understood that this proviso shall operate only to the extent useful to avoid the occurrence of the consequences contemplated herein);

 

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  (c)

The Company may pursue any other remedies against the Defaulting Investor available to the Company, subject to applicable law. The Investor agrees that this Section 3.01 is solely for the benefit of the Company and shall be interpreted by the Company against a Defaulting Investor in the discretion of the Company. The Investor further agrees that the Investor cannot and shall not seek to enforce this Section 3.01 against the Company or any shareholder in the Company; and

 

  (d)

The Company shall be authorized to issue additional Drawdown Notices to non-Defaulting Investors to make up for any short-fall caused by a Defaulting Investor’s failure to fund any Drawdown Notice, provided that no Investor shall be obligated to fund more than its then Unused Capital Commitment.

Article IV.

Section 4.01 Investor Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Investor hereby acknowledges, represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Company as follows:

 

  (a)

This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Investor and, upon due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, will constitute the valid and legally binding agreement of the Investor enforceable in accordance with its terms against the Investor, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and remedies, as from time to time in effect.

 

  (b)

The Investor is acquiring the Shares for the Investor’s own account as principal for investment and not with a view to the distribution or sale thereof.

 

  (c)

(i) The Investor understands that the offering and sale of the Shares are intended to be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, applicable U.S. state securities laws and the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions by virtue of the private placement exemption from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, exemptions under applicable U.S. state securities laws and exemptions under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions, and it agrees that any Shares acquired by the Investor may not be sold, offered for sale, exchanged, transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of (each, a “Transfer”) in any manner that would require the Company to register the Shares under the 1933 Act, under any U.S. state securities laws or under the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdictions.

(ii) The Investor understands that the Company requires each investor in the Company to be an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D of the 1933 Act (“Accredited Investor”) and the Investor represents and warrants that it is an Accredited Investor.

(iii) The Investor understands that the offering and sale of the Shares in non-U.S. jurisdictions may be subject to additional restrictions and limitations, and represents and warrants that it is acquiring its Shares in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and other legal requirements applicable to the Investor including, without limitation, the legal requirements of jurisdictions in which the Investor is resident and in which such acquisition is being consummated. Furthermore, the Investor understands that all offerings and sales made outside the United States will be made pursuant to Regulation S under the 1933 Act.

 

  (d)

The Investor: (i) is not registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act; (ii) has not elected to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act; and (iii) either (A) is not relying on the exception from the definition of “investment company” under the 1940 Act set forth in Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereunder or (B) is permitted to acquire and hold more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of a business development company.

 

  (e)

(i) Prior to a Liquidity Event, the Investor may not Transfer any of its Shares or its Capital Commitment unless (x) the Adviser provides its prior written consent, (y) the Transfer is made in accordance with applicable securities laws and (z) the Transfer is otherwise in compliance with the transfer restrictions set forth in Appendix C. Following an Exchange Listing, the Investor’s shares will be subject to additional restrictions set forth in the Charter.

No Transfer will be effectuated except by registration of the Transfer on the Company books. Each transferee must agree to be bound by these restrictions and the terms of the Operative Documents and all other obligations as a shareholder in the Company.

 

6


(ii) The Investor is aware and understands that there are other substantial restrictions on the transferability of Shares or Capital Commitment under this Subscription Agreement, the Operative Documents and under applicable law including, but not limited to, the fact that (a) there is no established market for the Shares and it is possible that no public market for the Shares will develop; (b) the Shares are not currently, and Investors have no rights to require that the Shares be, registered under the 1933 Act or the securities laws of the various states of the United States or any non-U.S. jurisdiction and therefore cannot be transferred unless subsequently registered or unless an exemption from such registration is available; and (c) the Investor may have to hold the Shares herein subscribed for and bear the economic risk of this investment indefinitely, and it may not be possible for the Investor to liquidate its investment in the Company. The Investor acknowledges that it has no need for liquidity in this investment, has the ability to bear the economic risk of this investment, has the ability to retain its Shares for an indefinite period and at the present time and in the foreseeable future can afford a complete loss of this investment.

(iii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subscription Agreement, the Investor covenants that it will not Transfer all or any part of the Shares or its Capital Commitment (or purport to do so) if such Transfer would cause (A) the Company or the Adviser to be in violation of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, the U.S. Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”), as amended, or any similar U.S. federal, state or non-U.S. law or regulation (collectively, “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”); or (B) the Shares to be held by a country, territory, entity or individual currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or any entity or individual that resides or has a place of business in, or is organized under the laws of, a country or territory that is subject to any sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

  (f)

(i) If the Investor is not a natural person, (x) the Investor was not formed or recapitalized for the specific purpose of acquiring any Shares in the Company, (y) the Investor has the power and authority to enter into this Subscription Agreement and each other document required to be executed and delivered by the Investor in connection with this subscription for Shares, and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and (z) the person signing this Subscription Agreement on behalf of the Investor has been duly authorized to execute and deliver this Subscription Agreement and each other document required to be executed and delivered by the Investor in connection with this subscription for Shares.

(ii) If the Investor is a natural person, the Investor has all requisite legal capacity to acquire and hold the Shares and to execute, deliver and comply with the terms of each of the documents required to be executed and delivered by the Investor in connection with this subscription for Shares.

(iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Subscription Agreement by the Investor do not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement, note or other evidence of indebtedness, or any lease or other agreement, or any license, permit, franchise or certificate, to which the Investor is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties are subject, or require any authorization or approval under or pursuant to any of the foregoing, violate the organizational documents of the Investor, or violate in any material respect any statute, regulation, law, order, writ, injunction or decree to which the Investor is subject.

(iv) The Investor has obtained all authorizations, consents, approvals and clearances of all courts, governmental agencies and authorities and such other persons, if any, required to permit the Investor to enter into this Subscription Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

  (g)

The Investor understands, and gives full authorization, approval and consent to, the remedies described in Section 3.01.

 

  (h)

The Investor agrees to deliver to the Company such other information as to certain matters under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) as the Company may reasonably request (including, but not limited to, the Subscription Application) in order to ensure compliance with such Acts and the availability of any exemption thereunder.

 

  (i)

The Investor acknowledges and agrees that, pursuant to the Charter and the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company and/or the Adviser have the power and discretion to make all investment decisions in accordance with the terms of the Charter and the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

7


Accordingly, the Investor acknowledges that neither the Company, the Adviser nor any affiliate thereof has rendered or will render any investment advice or securities valuation advice to the Investor, and that the Investor is neither subscribing for nor acquiring any Shares in reliance upon, or with the expectation of, any such advice.

 

  (j)

The Investor has reviewed the Operative Documents, as each may be amended and/or restated through the closing date of the Investor’s subscription for Shares, and has read and understands the risks of, and other considerations relating to, a purchase of Shares and the Company’s investment objectives, policies and strategies, including, but not limited to, the information contained in the Memorandum. The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that the Investor is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Shares.

 

  (k)

The Investor was offered the Shares through private negotiations, not through any general solicitation or general advertising and in the state listed in the Investor’s permanent address set forth in the Subscription Application. Other than as set forth herein and in the Operative Documents, the Investor is not relying upon any information (including, without limitation, any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, website or similar media or broadcast over television or radio, and any seminars or meetings whose attendees have been invited by any general solicitation or advertising) provided by the Company, the Adviser, any affiliate of the foregoing or any agent of them, written or otherwise, in determining to invest in the Company and the Investor understands that the Memorandum is not intended to convey tax or legal advice. The Investor has consulted to the extent deemed appropriate by the Investor with the Investor’s own advisers as to the financial, tax, legal, accounting, regulatory and other matters concerning an investment in Shares and on that basis understands the financial, tax, legal, accounting, regulatory and other consequences of an investment in Shares, and believes that an investment in the Shares is suitable and appropriate for the Investor.

 

  (l)

The Investor has been given the opportunity to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Adviser, the Company and their respective personnel relating to the Company, concerning the terms and conditions of the purchase of Shares and other matters pertaining to this investment, and has had access to such financial and other information concerning the Company as it has considered necessary to verify the accuracy of any information provided and to make a decision to invest in the Company, and has availed itself of this opportunity to the full extent desired.

 

  (m)

No representations or warranties have been made to the Investor with respect to this investment, the Adviser or the Company other than the representations of the Company set forth herein and the Investor has not relied upon any representation or warranty not provided herein in making this subscription.

 

  (n)

If the Investor is, or is acting (directly or indirectly) on behalf of, a “Plan” (defined below) which is subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or any provisions of any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to those provisions contained in such portions of ERISA or the Code (collectively, “Other Plan Laws”): (1) the decision to invest in the Company was made by a fiduciary (within the meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA and the regulations thereunder, or as defined under applicable Other Plan Laws) of the Plan which is unrelated to the Adviser or any of its employees, representatives or affiliates and which is duly authorized to make such an investment decision on behalf of the Plan (the “Plan Fiduciary”); (2) the Plan Fiduciary has taken into consideration its fiduciary duties under ERISA or any applicable Other Plan Law, including the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA (if applicable), in authorizing the Plan’s investment in the Company, and has concluded that such investment is prudent; (3) the Plan’s subscription to invest in the Company and the purchase of Shares contemplated hereby is in accordance with the terms of the Plan’s governing instruments and complies with all applicable requirements of ERISA, the Code and all applicable Other Plan Laws and does not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a similar violation under any applicable Other Plan Laws; and (4) the Plan Fiduciary acknowledges and agrees that neither the Adviser nor any of its employees, representatives or affiliates will be a fiduciary with respect to the Plan with respect to the Plan’s investment in the Company, pursuant to the provisions of ERISA or any applicable Other Plan Laws, or otherwise, and the Plan Fiduciary has not relied on, and is not relying on, the investment advice of any such person with respect to the Plan’s investment in the Company. “Plan” includes (i) an employee benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA), whether or not such plan is subject to Title I of ERISA, (ii) a plan, individual retirement account or other

 

8


  arrangement that is described in Section 4975 of the Code, whether or not such plan, individual retirement account or other arrangement is subject to Section 4975 of the Code, (iii) an insurance company using general account assets, if such general account assets are deemed to include the assets of any of the foregoing types of plans, accounts or arrangements for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code under Section 401(c)(1)(A) of ERISA or the regulations promulgated thereunder and (iv) an entity, the assets of which are deemed to include the assets of any of the foregoing types of plans, accounts or arrangements, pursuant to ERISA or otherwise.

 

  (o)

The Investor agrees to notify the Company in writing in the event (i) the Investor either becomes or ceases to be a “benefit plan investor” within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA, as modified by 29 CFR 2510.3-101(f)(2), or under any Other Plan Law (a “Benefit Plan Investor”), (ii) the Investor reasonably expects that the Investor will become or cease to be a Benefit Plan Investor, or (iii) if the Investor is an entity whose assets are deemed to include the assets of any of Plan pursuant to ERISA or any Other Plan Law, the percentage of such Investor’s assets attributable to Plans either increases or decreases. The Investor also agrees to, promptly upon the receipt, and within no more than 15 Business Days of a written request from the Company, provide a written update to the Company with regard to any of the foregoing. If the Company, in its sole discretion, determines that so doing would be useful in ensuring that equity participation in the Company is not significant within the meaning of 29 CFR 2510.3-101(f), the Company may require any Benefit Plan Investor to transfer some or all of its Shares for fair market value (as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) to an Investor other than a Benefit Plan Investor (whether an existing Investor or a new Investor). The Investor shall have no claim against the Company, the Administrator, the Adviser or any of their respective affiliates for any form of damages or liability as a result of any such transfer.

 

  (p)

If the investment in the Shares is being made on behalf of an employee benefit plan maintained outside of the United States primarily for the benefit of persons substantially all of whom are nonresident aliens (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA), (i) there is no provision in the instruments governing such plan or any federal, state or local or non-U.S. law, rule, regulation or constitutional provision applicable to the plan that could in any respect affect the operation of the Company, including operations of the Adviser as contemplated by the Investment Advisory Agreement, or prohibit any action contemplated by the operational documents and related disclosure of the Company, including, without limitation, the investments which may be made pursuant to the Company’s investment strategies, the concentration of investments for the Company and the payment by the plan of incentive or other fees, and (ii) the plan’s investment in the Company will not conflict with or violate the instruments governing such plan or any federal, state or local or non-U.S. law, rule, regulation or constitutional provision applicable to the plan.

 

  (q)

Representations for Non-U.S. Persons:

(i) If the Investor is not a “United States Person,” as defined in Appendix D hereto, the Investor has heretofore notified the Company in writing of such status.

(ii) The Investor will notify the Company immediately if the Investor becomes a United States Person.

(iii) The Investor represents and warrants that the Investor is acquiring the Shares for its own account for investment purposes only and is not subscribing on behalf of or funding its commitment with funds obtained from a United States Person.

(iv) Except for offers and sales to discretionary or similar accounts held for the benefit or account of a non-U.S. Person by a U.S. dealer or other professional fiduciary, all offers to sell and offers to buy the Interest were made to or by the Investor while the Investor was outside the United States and at the time the Investor’s order to buy the Shares originated (and at the time this Subscription Agreement was executed by the Investor) the Investor was outside the United States.

 

  (r)

(i) Neither the Investor, nor any of its affiliates or beneficial owners, (A) appears on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List of OFAC, nor are they otherwise a party with which any entity is prohibited to deal under the laws of the United States, or (B) is a person identified as a terrorist organization on any other relevant lists maintained by governmental authorities. The Investor further represents and warrants that the monies used to fund the investment in the Shares are not derived from, invested for the benefit of, or related in any way to, the governments of, or persons within, any country (1) under a U.S. embargo enforced by OFAC, (2) that has been designated as a “non-cooperative country or

 

9


  territory” by the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering or (3) that has been designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury as a “primary money laundering concern.” The Investor further represents and warrants that the Investor: (I) has conducted thorough due diligence with respect to all of its beneficial owners, (II) has established the identities of all beneficial owners and the source of each of the beneficial owner’s funds and (III) will retain evidence of any such identities, any such source of funds and any such due diligence. Pursuant to anti-money laundering laws and regulations, the Company may be required to collect documentation verifying the Investor’s identity and the source of funds used to acquire Shares before, and from time to time after, acceptance by the Company of this Subscription Agreement. Investor further represents and warrants that the Investor does not know or have any reason to suspect that (x) the monies used to fund the Investor’s investment in the Shares have been or will be derived from or related to any illegal activities, including, but not limited to, money laundering activities, and (y) the proceeds from the Investor investment in the Shares will be used to finance any illegal activities.

(ii) The Investor will provide to the Company at any time such information as the Company determines to be necessary or appropriate (A) to comply with the anti-money laundering laws, rules and regulations of any applicable jurisdiction and (B) to respond to requests for information concerning the identity of Investor from any governmental authority, self-regulatory organization or financial institution in connection with its anti-money laundering compliance procedures, or to update such information.

(iii) To comply with applicable U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations, all payments and contributions by the Investor to the Company and all payments and distributions to the Investor from the Company will only be made in the Investor’s name and to and from a bank account of a bank based or incorporated in or formed under the laws of the United States or that is regulated in and either based or incorporated in or formed under the laws of the United States and that is not a “foreign shell bank” within the meaning of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. § 5311 et seq.), as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as such regulations may be amended from time to time.

(iv) The representations and warranties set forth in this Section 4.01(r) shall be deemed repeated and reaffirmed by the Investor to the Company as of each date that the Investor is required to make a capital contribution to, or receives a distribution from, the Company. If at any time during the term of the Company, the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 4.01(r) cease to be true, the Investor shall promptly so notify the Company in writing.

(v) The Investor understands and agrees that the Company may not accept any amounts from a prospective Investor if such prospective Investor cannot make the representations set forth in this Section 4.01(r).

 

  (s)

In the event that the Investor is, receives deposits from, makes payments to or conducts transactions relating to, a non-U.S. banking institution (a “Non-U.S. Bank”) in connection with the Investor’s investment in Shares, such Non-U.S. Bank: (i) has a fixed address, other than an electronic address or a post office box, in a country in which it is authorized to conduct banking activities, (ii) employs one or more individuals on a full-time basis, (iii) maintains operating records related to its banking activities, (iv) is subject to inspection by the banking authority that licensed it to conduct banking activities and (v) does not provide banking services to any other Non-U.S. Bank that does not have a physical presence in any country and that is not a registered affiliate.

 

  (t)

The Investor agrees and acknowledges that, among other remedial measures, (A) in order to comply with governmental regulations, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that such action is in the best interests of the Company, the Company may “freeze the account” of the Investor, either by prohibiting additional investments by the Investor, segregating assets of the Investor and/or suspending other rights the Investor may have under the Operative Documents and (B) the Company may be required to report such action or confidential information relating to the Investor (including without limitation, disclosing the Investor’s identity) to regulatory authorities.

 

  (u)

None of the information concerning the Investor nor any statement, certification, representation or warranty made by the Investor in this Subscription Agreement or in any document required to be provided under this Subscription Agreement (including, without limitation, the Subscription Application and any forms W-9 or W-8 (W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8IMY, W-8ECI or W-8EXP) contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein or herein not misleading.

 

10


  (v)

The Investor agrees that the foregoing certifications, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements shall survive the acceptance of this subscription, the first Drawdown Date and the dissolution of the Company, without limitation as to time. Without limiting the foregoing, the Investor agrees to give the Company prompt written notice in the event that any statement, certification, representation or warranty of the Investor contained in this Article IV or any information provided by the Investor herein or in any document required to be provided under this Subscription Agreement (including, without limitation, the Subscription Application and any forms W-9 or W-8 (W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8EXP, W-8IMY and W-8EXP) ceases to be true at any time following the date hereof.

 

  (w)

The Investor agrees to provide such information and execute and deliver such documents as the Company or the Adviser may reasonably request to verify the accuracy of the Investor’s representations and warranties herein or to comply with any law or regulation to which the Company, the Adviser or a portfolio company may be subject.

 

  (x)

The Investor understands that the Company (i) has filed an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act and (ii) intends to file an election to be treated as a regulated investment company within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code, for U.S. federal income tax purposes; pursuant to those elections, the Investor will be required to furnish certain information to the Company as required under Treasury Regulations § 1.852-6(a) and other regulations. If the Investor is unable or refuses to provide such information directly to the Company, the Investor understands that it will be required to include additional information on its income tax return as provided in Treasury Regulation § 1.852-7. The Company has filed a registration statement on Form 10 (the “Form 10”) for the Common Stock with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). The Form 10 is not the offering document pursuant to which the Company is conducting this offering and may not include all information regarding the Company contained in the Memorandum or other Operative Documents; accordingly, Investors should rely exclusively on information contained in the Operative Documents in making their investment decisions.

 

  (y)

The Investor acknowledges that, in order to comply with the provisions of the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) and avoid the imposition of U.S. federal withholding tax, the Company may, from time to time, require further information and/or documentation from the Investor and, if and to the extent required under FATCA, the Investor’s direct and indirect beneficial owners (if any), relating to or establishing any such owner’s identity, residence (or jurisdiction of formation), income tax status, and other required information and may provide or disclose such information and documentation to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Investor agrees that it shall provide such information and documentation concerning itself and its beneficial owners, if any, as and when requested by the Company sufficient for the Company to comply with its obligations under FATCA. The Investor acknowledges that, if the Investor does not provide the requested information and documentation, the Company may, at its sole option and in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity, prohibit additional investments, decline or delay any redemption requests by the Investor and/or deduct from such Investor’s account and retain amounts sufficient to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from any and all withholding taxes, interest, penalties and other losses or liabilities suffered by the Company on account of the Investor’s not providing all requested information and documentation in a timely manner, and to ensure that such withholding taxes, interest, penalties and other losses or liabilities are economically borne by the Investor. The Investor shall have no claim against the Company, the Administrator, the Adviser or any of their respective affiliates for any form of damages or liability as a result of any of the aforementioned actions in the absence of willful misconduct and/or gross negligence.

 

  (z)

The Investor acknowledges that the Company intends to enter into one or more revolving credit facilities with one or more syndicates of banks or to incur indebtedness in lieu of or in advance of capital contributions. In connection therewith, each Investor hereby agrees to cooperate with the Company and provide financial information and other documentation reasonably and customarily required to obtain such facilities.

 

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  (aa)

The Investor (i) acknowledges that recent legislation has modified the 1940 Act by allowing a BDC to increase the maximum amount of leverage it may incur from an asset coverage ratio of 200% to an asset coverage ratio of 150%, if certain requirements are met; (ii) acknowledges that the Adviser, as the Company’s sole initial shareholder, has approved a proposal that allows the Company to reduce its asset coverage to 150%; and (iii) agrees that the Company’s asset coverage ratio is 150% as permitted by such recent legislation.

 

  (bb)

The Investor represents and warrants that neither the Investor nor any person who through the Investor (including anyone who has investment discretion on the Investor’s behalf) will beneficially own the Shares has been subject to any “disqualifying event” (as defined in Rule 506(d)(1) under the Securities Act) at any time on or prior to the Investor’s investment in the Company. The representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph 4.01(bb) shall be deemed repeated and reaffirmed by the Investor to the Company as of each subsequent closing of the Company. Furthermore, the Investor agrees to provide the Company with (1) prompt written notice of the occurrence of any event specified above with respect to the Investor or any such beneficial owner and (2) any information, documentation or certifications (including, if requested, a “bad actor” disqualification questionnaire) required by the Company, in its sole discretion, to permit the Company to comply with its obligations pursuant to Rule 506(d) under the Securities Act.

 

Section 4.02

Investor Awareness. The Investor acknowledges that the Investor is aware and understands that:

 

  (a)

No federal or state agency, and no agency of any non-U.S. jurisdiction, has passed upon the Shares or made any finding or determination as to the fairness of this investment. The Memorandum has not been filed with the SEC, any self-regulatory agency or with any securities administrator under state securities laws or the laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction.

 

  (b)

There are substantial risks incident to the purchase of Shares, including, but not limited to, those summarized in the Memorandum.

 

  (c)

As described more fully in Appendix C, prior to a Liquidity Event, the Investor may not Transfer all or any fraction of its Shares or Capital Commitment without the prior written consent of the Adviser. There are other substantial restrictions on the transferability of Shares or Capital Commitment under the Charter, the Investment Advisory Agreement and under applicable law including, but not limited to, the fact that (i) there is no established market for the Shares and it is possible that no public market for the Shares will develop; (ii) the Shares are not currently, and Investors have no rights to require that the Shares be, registered under the 1933 Act or the securities laws of the various states or any non-U.S. jurisdiction and therefore cannot be Transferred unless subsequently registered or unless an exemption from such registration is available; and (iii) the Investor may have to hold the Shares herein subscribed for and bear the economic risk of this investment indefinitely, and it may not be possible for the Investor to liquidate its investment in the Company.

 

  (d)

With respect to the tax and other legal consequences of an investment in the Shares, the Investor is relying solely upon the advice of its own tax and legal advisors and not upon the general discussion of such matters set forth in the Memorandum.

 

  (e)

The Company may request such additional information as it may deem necessary to evaluate the eligibility of the Investor to acquire Shares and may request from time to time such information as it may deem necessary to determine the eligibility of the Investor to hold Shares or to enable the Company to determine the compliance of the Company or the Adviser with applicable regulatory requirements or the Company’s tax status, and the Investor agrees to promptly provide such information as may reasonably be requested.

 

  (f)

All the agreements, representations and warranties made by the Investor in this Subscription Agreement (including all of its attachments) shall survive the execution and delivery hereof. The Investor shall immediately notify the Company upon discovering that any of the representations, warranties or covenants made herein was false when made or if, as a result of changes in circumstances, any of the representations, warranties or covenants made herein become false.

 

  (g)

The offering and sale of the Shares in non-U.S. jurisdictions may be subject to additional restrictions and limitations, and the Investor represents and warrants that it is acquiring its Shares in compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and other legal requirements applicable to the Investor including, without limitation, the legal requirements of jurisdictions in which the Investor is resident and in which such acquisition is being consummated. Furthermore, the Investor understands that all offerings and sales made outside of the United States will be made pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act

 

12


  (h)

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP act as U.S. counsel to the Company, the Adviser and their Affiliates. In connection with this offering of Shares and subsequent advice to such persons, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP and Kirkland & Ellis LLP will not represent the Investor or any other investors in the Company in the absence of a clear and explicit written agreement to such effect between such counsel and the Investor. In the absence of such an agreement, such counsel owes no duties to the Investor or any other investor in the Company (whether or not such counsel has in the past represented, or is currently representing, such Investor or any other investor with respect to other matters). No independent counsel has been retained to represent investors in the Company.

 

Section 4.03

Company Representations. The Company represents to the Investor as follows:

 

  (a)

The Company is empowered, authorized and qualified to enter into this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, and the person signing this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement on behalf of the Company has been duly authorized by the Company to do so.

 

  (b)

The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement by the Company and the performance of its duties and obligations hereunder and thereunder do not and will not result in a breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement, note or other evidence of indebtedness, or any lease or other agreement, or any license, permit, franchise or certificate, to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties are subject, or require any authorization or approval under or pursuant to any of the foregoing, violate the organizational documents of the Company, or violate in any material respect any statute, regulation, law, order, writ, injunction or decree to which the Company is subject.

 

  (c)

The Company is not in default (nor has any event occurred which with notice, lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) in the performance of any obligation, agreement or condition contained in this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement, note or other evidence of indebtedness or any lease or other agreement or understanding, or any license, permit, franchise or certificate, to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which its properties are subject, nor is it in violation of any statute, regulation, law, order, writ, injunction, judgment or decree to which it is subject, which default or violation would materially adversely affect the business or financial condition of the Company or impair the Company’s ability to carry out its obligations under this Agreement or the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

  (d)

There is no litigation, investigation or other proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company that, if adversely determined, would materially adversely affect the business or financial condition of the Company or the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement.

 

  (e)

The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Investor hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered to the Investor against payment therefore as provided in this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

  (f)

No “bad actor” disqualifying event described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i)-(viii) of the Securities Act (a “Disqualification Event”) is applicable to the Company or any Company Covered Person, except for a Disqualification Event as to which Rule 506(d)(2)(ii–iv) or (d)(3), is applicable. “Company Covered Person” means, with respect to the Company as an “issuer” for purposes of Rule 506 promulgated under the Securities Act, any Person listed in the first paragraph of Rule 506(d)(1).

Article V.

 

Section 5.01

Power of Attorney.

 

  (a)

The Investor, by its execution hereof, hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Company as its true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and full power and authority in its name, place and stead, to make, execute, sign, acknowledge, swear to, record and file:

 

  (i)

any and all filings required to be made by the Investor under the 1934 Act with respect to any of the Company’s securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the Investor under the 1934 Act;

 

13


  (ii)

all certificates and other instruments deemed necessary by the Company in order for the Company to enter into any borrowing or pledging arrangement;

 

  (iii)

all certificates and other instruments deemed necessary by the Company to comply with the provisions of this Subscription Agreement and applicable law or to permit the Company to become or to continue as a business development corporation; and

 

  (iv)

all other instruments or papers not inconsistent with the terms of this Subscription Agreement which may be required by law to be filed on behalf of the Company.

 

  (b)

With respect to the Investor and the Company, the foregoing power of attorney:

 

  (i)

is coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable;

 

  (ii)

may be exercised by the Company either by signing separately as attorney-in-fact for the Investor or, after listing all of the Investors executing an instrument, by a single signature of the Company acting as attorney-in-fact for all of them;

 

  (iii)

shall survive the assignment by the Investor of the whole or any fraction of its Shares;

 

  (iv)

shall terminate concurrently with the termination of the Capital Commitment, in accordance with Section 2.01(f);

 

  (v)

may not be used by the Company in any manner that is inconsistent with the terms of this Subscription Agreement and any other written agreement between the Company and the Investor; and

 

  (vi)

is intended to be ministerial in scope.

 

  (c)

The Company shall make available to the Investor a copy of any agreement, instrument, certificate or other document that is executed by the Company as an attorney-in-fact for the Investor pursuant to the power of attorney set forth in this Section 5.01.

Article VI.

 

Section 6.01

Key Person Event; Cause Event.

 

  (a)

A “Key Person Event” will occur if, during the Commitment Period, two of the four of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz, Craig W. Packer and Alan J. Kirshenbaum (the “Key Persons” and each, a “Key Person”), (i) provide notice of resignation, resign, are terminated or are provided with notice of termination from the position of (1) in the case of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer, co-chief investment officer of the Adviser and (2) in the case of Alan J. Kirshenbaum, chief financial officer of the Adviser, (ii) die or are disabled or (iii) cease to be actively involved (1) in the case of Douglas I. Ostrover, Marc S. Lipschultz and Craig W. Packer, as a member of the Investment Committee (as defined in the Memorandum) or (2) in the case of Alan J. Kirshenbaum, as an officer of the Adviser, for any consecutive period exceeding 60 days. For purposes of this provision, the Adviser is permitted at any time to replace one of the Key Persons with a senior professional selected by the Adviser, provided that such replacement is approved by 75% of the Shares.

 

  (b)

A “Cause Event” will occur if, during the Commitment Period, an event constituting Cause occurs. “Cause” means (A) any disqualification of a Key Person under Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act; (B) the conviction of (or plea of no contest by) any Key Person of a felony involving fraud, false statements or omissions, wrongful taking of property, bribery, perjury, forgery, counterfeiting, extortion, or conspiracy to commit such offenses; (C) the final judicial determination by a court of competent jurisdiction of fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence by the Adviser or any Key Person in the performance of its obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement; or (D) the conviction of (or a plea of no contest by) any Key Person or the Adviser of a violation of the substantive provisions of any U.S. federal or state securities law (other than any inadvertent or technical violation of any such law which has no material adverse impact on the Company or any other violation which has no material adverse impact on the Company).

 

14


  (c)

Upon the occurrence of a Key Person Event or a Cause Event, the Company will send written notice of the Key Person Event or Cause Event, as applicable, to the Shareholders within ten Business Days of such occurrence, the Commitment Period shall automatically be suspended for 90 days (the “Interim Period”) and the Shareholders will not be obligated to fund Drawdowns except for purposes permitted after the Commitment Period as described in Section 2.01(f). During the Interim Period the Company shall convene a special meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of determining whether the Commitment Period should be reinstated. If the proposal is approved by 75% of the Shares, and all of the independent members of the Board of Directors vote in favor the proposal, the Commitment Period will be reinstated and Shareholders will be obligated to fund Drawdowns as if a Key Person Event or Cause Event, as applicable, had never occurred. Otherwise, the Commitment Period shall be deemed to have terminated upon the occurrence of the Key Person Event or Cause Event, as applicable.

 

  (d)

Notwithstanding Section 6.04 of this Subscription Agreement, modifications may be made to this Section 6.01 if approved by 75% of the Shares.

 

Section 6.02

Indemnity.

 

  (a)

The Investor understands that the information provided herein (including the Subscription Application) shall be relied upon by the Company for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the Investor to purchase Shares. To the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, the Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Adviser, the Administrator, and their affiliates and each partner, member, officer, director, employee and agent thereof, from and against any loss, damage or liability due to or arising out of a breach of any representation, warranty or agreement of the Investor contained in this Subscription Agreement (including the Subscription Application) or in any other document provided by the Investor to the Company or in any agreement executed by the Investor in connection with the Investor’s investment in Shares.

 

  (b)

To the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, its affiliates and each partner, member, officer, director, employee and agent thereof, from and against any loss, damage or liability due to or arising out of a breach of any representation, warranty or agreement of the Company contained in this Subscription Agreement or in any other document provided by the Company to the Investor or in any agreement executed by the Company in connection with the Investor’s investment in Shares.

 

Section 6.03

Acceptance or Rejection.

 

  (a)

At any time prior to the Closing Date, notwithstanding the Investor’s prior receipt of a notice of acceptance of the Investor’s subscription, the Company shall have the right to accept an amount equal to or less than the subscribed amount, or reject this subscription, for any reason whatsoever.

 

  (b)

In the event of rejection of this subscription, the Company promptly thereupon shall return to the Investor the copies of this Subscription Agreement and any other documents submitted herewith (but the Company shall have the right to retain a photocopy for its records), and this Subscription Agreement shall have no further force or effect thereafter.

Section 6.04 Modification. Neither this Subscription Agreement nor any provisions hereof shall be modified, changed, discharged, waived or terminated except by an instrument in writing signed by the party against whom any modification, change, discharge, waiver or termination is sought.

Section 6.05 Notices. All notices, consents, requests, demands, offers, reports, and other communications required or permitted to be given pursuant to this Subscription Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given, made or delivered (and shall be deemed to have been duly given, made or delivered upon receipt) by personal hand-delivery, by facsimile transmission, by electronic mail, by mailing the same in a sealed envelope, registered first-class mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery, addressed, if to the Company, to:

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II

Attn: Jonathan Lamm

399 Park Avenue, 38th floor

New York, New York 10022

Tel: (212) 419-3000

 

15


and, if to the Investor, to the address set forth in the Subscription Application. The Company or the Investor may change its address by giving notice to the other in the manner described herein.

Section 6.06 Counterparts. This Subscription Agreement may be executed in multiple counterpart copies, each of which will be considered an original and all of which constitute one and the same instrument binding on all the parties, notwithstanding that all parties are not signatories to the same counterpart.

Section 6.07 Successors. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subscription Agreement and all of the terms and provisions hereof will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, trustees and legal representatives. If the Investor is more than one person, the obligation of the Investor shall be joint and several and the agreements, representations, warranties, and acknowledgments herein contained will be deemed to be made by and be binding upon each such person and such person’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors, trustees and legal representatives.

Section 6.08 Assignability. This Subscription Agreement is not transferable or assignable by the Investor. Any purported assignment of this Subscription Agreement will be null and void.

Section 6.09 Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Subscription Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, supersedes any prior agreement or understanding among them with respect to such subject matter, and is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto and any lender under a Subscription Facility any rights or remedies hereunder. The foregoing limitation, however, shall not prohibit any Other Investor from enforcing Section 3.01(b) against any defaulting Investor.

Section 6.10 APPLICABLE LAW. Notwithstanding the place where this Subscription Agreement may be executed by any of the parties hereto, the parties expressly agree that this Subscription Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of MARYLAND, without giving effect to the choice of law principles thereof.

Section 6.11 Jurisdiction; Venue. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for any action, suit or proceeding with respect to this Subscription Agreement shall be a federal or state court located in the state of New York, provided that to the extent the appropriate court located in the state of New York determines that it does not have jurisdiction over such action, then the sole and exclusive forum shall be any federal or state court located in the state of Maryland, and each party hereto, to the fullest extent permitted by law, hereby irrevocably waives any objection that it may have, whether now or in the future, to the laying of venue in, or to the jurisdiction of, any and each of such courts for the purposes of any such action, suit or proceeding and further waives any claim that any such action, suit or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum, and each party hereto hereby submits to such jurisdiction and consents to process being served in any such action, suit or proceeding, without limitation, by United States mail addressed to the party at the parties address specified herein or in the Subscription Application. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Section 6.12 Confidentiality. The Investor acknowledges that the Memorandum, the Subscription Documents and the other Operative Documents and other information relating to the Company has been submitted to the Investor on a confidential basis for use solely in connection with the Investor’s consideration of the purchase of Shares. The Investor also acknowledges that it may receive or have access to confidential proprietary information concerning the Company, including, without limitation, portfolio positions, valuations, information regarding potential investments, financial information, trade secrets and the like which is proprietary in nature and non-public. The Investor agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Company), the Investor shall not (a) reproduce the Memorandum or any other information relating to the Company, in whole or in part, or (b) disclose the Memorandum or any other information relating to the Company to any person who is not an officer or employee of the Investor who is involved in its investments, or partner (general or limited) or affiliate of the Investor (it being understood and agreed that if the Investor is a pooled investment fund, it shall only be permitted to disclose the Memorandum or other information related to the Company to its limited partners if the Investor has required its limited partners to enter into confidentiality undertakings no less onerous than the provisions of this Section 6.12), except to the extent (1) such information is in the public domain (other than as a result of any action or omission of Investor or any person to whom the Investor

 

16


has disclosed such information), (2) such information is required by applicable law or regulation to be disclosed or (3) it is necessary to disclose such information to the Investor’s professional advisors (including the Investor’s auditors and counsel), so long as such professional advisors are advised of the confidentiality obligations contained herein. The Investor further agrees to return the Memorandum and any other information relating to the Company if no purchase of Shares is made or upon the Company’s request therefore. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that monetary damages would not be sufficient remedy for any breach of this section by it, and that in addition to any other remedies available to the Company in respect of any such breach, the Company shall be entitled to specific performance and injunctive or other equitable relief as a remedy for any such breach. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Investor (and each employee, representative or other agent of the Investor) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Company; and any of the Company’s transactions and all materials of any kind (including, without limitation, opinions and other tax analyses) that are provided to the Investor relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, it being understood and agreed for this purpose that (x) the name of, or any other identifying information regarding, (i) the Company or any existing or future investor (or any affiliate thereof) in the Company, or (ii) any investment or transaction entered into by the Company or (y) any performance information relating to the Company or its investments do not constitute “tax treatment” or “tax structure”.

Section 6.13 Necessary Acts, Further Assurances. The parties shall at their own cost and expense execute and deliver such further documents and instruments and shall take such other actions as may be reasonably required or appropriate to evidence or carry out the intent and purposes of this Subscription Agreement or to show the ability to carry out the intent and purposes of this Subscription Agreement.

Section 6.14 No Joint Liability Among Company and Adviser. The Company shall not be liable for the fulfillment of any obligation or the accuracy of any representation of the Adviser under or in connection with this Subscription Agreement, and the Adviser shall not be liable for the fulfillment of any obligation or the accuracy of any representation of the Company under or in connection with this Subscription Agreement. There shall be no joint and several liability of the Company and the Adviser for any obligation under or in connection with this Subscription Agreement.

Section 6.15 Electronic Delivery of Communications. The Investor hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Company and/or the Adviser may, but is not required to, deliver and make reports, statements and other communications, including, without limitation, the Operative Documents, the Subscription Documents, Form 1099s, other tax related information and documentation, proxy materials, annual and quarterly reports, investor communications, account statements, drawdown notices and other required reports (“Account Communications”), available to the Investor in electronic form, such as e-mail or by posting on a web site. It is the Investor’s affirmative obligation to notify the Company in writing if the Investor’s e-mail address(es) listed in Section A of the Subscription Application change(s).

Section 6.16 Survival. The representations, warranties, acknowledgments and covenants in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 and in the Subscription Application and the provisions of Sections 6.02, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15 and 6.16 shall, in the event this subscription is accepted, survive such acceptance and the formation and dissolution of the Company.

[signature page follows]

 

17


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Investor, intending to be legally bound, has executed this Subscription Agreement as of the date set forth below.

AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE OF SHARES SUBSCRIBED FOR: $______________

 

 

Legal Name of Subscriber
By:  

 

Signatory Name:
Signatory Title:

 

Agreed and accepted as of _____________, 2021:
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II
By:  

 

  Name: Jonathan Lamm
  Title: Chief Operating Officer

 

18

EX-10.1 5 d250734dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II

AND

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS II LLC

This Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of December 1, 2021, by and between Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Adviser”).

WHEREAS, the Company is a closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”);

WHEREAS, the Adviser is an investment adviser that is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”); and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Adviser to furnish investment advisory services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Adviser desires to be retained to provide such services.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

1)

Duties of the Adviser

 

  a)

The Company hereby employs the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Company and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Company, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), for the period and upon the terms herein set forth, (x) in accordance with the investment objective, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Company’s registration statement on Form 10 (as amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and prior to the date on which the SEC declares the Company’s Registration Statement effective, in accordance with the investment objective, policies and restrictions that are set forth in the Company’s confidential private placement memorandum dated December 1, 2021, as amended from time to time (the “PPM”); (y) in accordance with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and the Company’s charter and by-laws as the same shall be amended from time to time; and (z) in accordance with the Investment Company Act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser shall, during the term and subject to the provisions of this Agreement: (i) determine the composition of the portfolio of the Company, the nature and timing of the changes therein and the manner of implementing such changes; (ii) identify/source, research, evaluate and negotiate the


  structure of the investments made by the Company; (iii) close and monitor the Company’s investments; (iv) determine the securities and other assets that the Company will purchase, retain, or sell; (v) use reasonable endeavors to ensure that the Company’s investments consist mainly of shares, securities or currencies (or derivative contracts relating thereto), which for the avoidance of doubt may include loans, notes and other evidences of indebtedness; (vi) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio companies; and (vii) provide the Company with such other investment advisory, research, and related services as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of its funds, including providing operating and managerial assistance to the Company and its portfolio companies as required. Subject to the supervision of the Board, the Adviser shall have the power and authority on behalf of the Company to effectuate its investment decisions for the Company, including the execution and delivery of all documents relating to the Company’s investments and the placing of orders for other purchase or sale transactions on behalf of the Company. In the event that the Company determines to acquire debt financing, the Adviser will arrange for such financing on the Company’s behalf, subject to the oversight and approval of the Board. If it is necessary or appropriate for the Adviser to make investments on behalf of the Company through a special purpose vehicle, the Adviser shall have authority to create or arrange for the creation of such special purpose vehicle and to make such investments through such special purpose vehicle (in accordance with the Investment Company Act).

 

  b)

The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during the term hereof to render the services described herein for the compensation provided herein.

 

  c)

The Adviser shall for all purposes herein provided be deemed to be an independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized herein, shall have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Company.

 

  d)

The Adviser shall keep and preserve for the period required by the Investment Company Act any books and records relevant to the provision of its investment advisory services to the Company and shall specifically maintain all books and records in accordance with Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act with respect to the Company’s portfolio transactions and shall render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably request. The Adviser agrees that all records that it maintains for the Company are the property of the Company and will surrender promptly to the Company any such records upon the Company’s request, provided that the Adviser may retain a copy of such records.

 

  e)

The Adviser shall be primarily responsible for the execution of any trades in securities in the Company’s portfolio and the Company’s allocation of brokerage commissions.

 

2


2)

Company’s Responsibilities and Expenses Payable by the Company

Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”), dated December 1, 2021, between the Company and the Adviser (the Adviser, in its capacity as the administrator, the “Administrator”), the Adviser shall be solely responsible for the compensation of its investment professionals and employees and all overhead expenses of the Adviser (including rent, office equipment and utilities). The Company will bear all other costs and expenses of its operations, administration and transactions, including (without limitation): the cost of its organization and any offerings; the cost of calculating its net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services; the cost of effecting any sales and repurchases of the Common Stock and other securities; fees and expenses payable under any dealer manager agreements, if any; debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements; costs of hedging; expenses, including travel expense, incurred by the Adviser, or members of the Investment Team (defined below), or payable to third parties, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing the Company’s rights; escrow agent, transfer agent and custodial fees and expenses; fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts; federal and state registration fees, any stock exchange listing fees and fees payable to rating agencies; federal, state and local taxes; independent directors’ fees and expenses including certain travel expenses; costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records and filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration fees, listing fees and licenses, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation of the foregoing; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders (including printing and mailing costs), the costs of any stockholder or director meetings and the compensation of personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters; commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers; research and market data; fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff; fees and expenses associated with independent audits, outside legal and consulting costs; costs of winding up; costs incurred in connection with the formation or maintenance of entities or vehicles to hold the Company’s assets for tax or other purposes; extraordinary expenses (such as litigation or indemnification); and costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the Advisers Act and applicable federal and state securities laws. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company will bear its allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of the Company’s officers who provide operational and administrative services hereunder, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to the Company (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall reimburse the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the business affairs of the Company and in acting on behalf of the Company). For the avoidance of doubt, the Adviser shall be solely responsible for any placement or “finder’s” fees payable to placement agents engaged by the Company or its affiliates in connection with the offering of securities by the Company.

 

3)

Compensation of the Adviser

The Company agrees to pay, and the Adviser agrees to accept, as compensation for the services provided by the Adviser hereunder, a base management fee (the “Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”) as hereinafter set forth. The Company shall make any payments due hereunder to the Adviser or to the Adviser’s designee as the Adviser may otherwise direct.

 

3


  a)

For services rendered under this Agreement, the Management Fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. Management Fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately prorated and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant month or quarter. The Management Fee shall be calculated as follows:

 

  i)

Prior to an Exchange Listing, the Management Fee shall be calculated at an annual rate of 0.90% of (i) the average of the Company’s gross assets, excluding cash and cash-equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters; provided, however, that no Management Fee will be charged on the value of the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash and cash-equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the Investment Company Act and (ii) the average of any remaining undrawn capital commitments at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters.

 

  ii)

Following an Exchange Listing, the Management Fee shall be calculated at an annual rate of (x) 1.50% of the average of the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash and cash-equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is above an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the Investment Company Act, and (y) 1.00% of the average of the Company’s gross assets (excluding cash and cash-equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) that is below an asset coverage ratio of 200% calculated in accordance with Sections 18 and 61 of the Investment Company Act, in each case, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters.

 

  b)

The Incentive Fee shall consist of two parts, as follows:

 

  i)

One part will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and will be based on (x) prior to an Exchange Listing, “pre-Incentive Fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding calendar quarter and (y) following an Exchange Listing, “pre-Incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding calendar quarter commencing with the first calendar quarter following an Exchange Listing. For this purpose, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means dividends (including reinvested dividends), interest and fee income accrued by the Company during the calendar quarter, minus the Company’s operating expenses for the calendar quarter (including the Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Company has not yet received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or

 

4


  depreciation. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, will be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 1.5% per calendar quarter (6% annualized). The Company’s net investment income used to calculate this part of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of its gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee.

The Company will pay the Adviser an Incentive Fee with respect to the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

 

   

With the exception of the Capital Gains Incentive Fee (as defined and discussed in greater detail below), no Incentive Fee is payable to the Adviser in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.5% for such calendar quarter.

 

   

100% of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate is payable to the Adviser until the Adviser has received (i) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter, and (ii) following an Exchange Listing, 17.5% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter. The Company refers to this portion of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income as the “catch-up.”

 

   

Prior to an Exchange Listing, once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 10% of all remaining pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser.

 

   

Following an Exchange Listing, once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 17.5% of all remaining pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser.

 

  ii)

The second part of the Incentive Fee (the “Capital Gains Incentive Fee”) will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year of the Company (or upon termination of this Agreement as set forth below), and will equal (x) prior to an Exchange Listing, 10% of realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from the date of the first closing of the Company’s private placement offering pursuant to the PPM (the “Initial Closing Date”) through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis from the Initial Closing Date through the end of each calendar year, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fees, and (b) following an Exchange Listing, 17.5% of the Company’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from the date on which the Exchange Listing becomes effective (the “Listing Date”) to the end of such calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis from the Listing Date through the end of each calendar year, minus the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Incentive Fees for prior periods. In no event will the Capital Gains Incentive Fee payable pursuant hereto be in excess of the amount permitted by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, including Section 205 thereof.

 

5


  iii)

Examples of the quarterly incentive fee calculation are attached hereto as Annex A. Such examples are included for illustrative purposes only and are not considered part of this Agreement.

 

4)

Covenants of the Adviser

The Adviser agrees that it will remain registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act so long as the Company maintains its election to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act. The Adviser agrees that its activities will at all times be in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws governing its operations and investments.

 

5)

Excess Brokerage Commissions

The Adviser is hereby authorized, to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law, to cause the Company to pay a member of a national securities exchange, broker or dealer an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction in excess of the amount of commission another member of such exchange, broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determines in good faith, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities, that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and/or research services provided by such member, broker or dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or its overall responsibilities with respect to the Company’s portfolio, and constitutes the best net results for the Company.

 

6)

Investment Team

The Adviser shall manage the Company’s portfolio through a team of investment professionals (the “Investment Team”) dedicated primarily to the Company’s business, in cooperation with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The Investment Team shall be comprised of senior personnel of the Adviser, supported by and with access to the investment professionals, analytical capabilities and support personnel of the Adviser.

 

7)

Limitations on the Employment of the Adviser

The services of the Adviser to the Company are not exclusive, and the Adviser may engage in any other business or render similar or different services to others including, without limitation, the direct or indirect sponsorship or management of other investment-based accounts or commingled pools of capital, however structured, having investment objectives similar to those of the Company, so long as its services to the Company hereunder are not impaired thereby, and nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to any other business, whether of a similar or dissimilar nature, or to receive any fees or compensation in connection therewith (including fees for serving as a director of, or providing consulting services to, one or more of the Company’s portfolio companies, subject to

 

6


applicable law). So long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment remains in effect, the Adviser shall be the only investment adviser for the Company, subject to the Adviser’s right to enter into sub-advisory agreements as set forth herein. The Adviser assumes no responsibility under this Agreement other than to render the services called for hereunder. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Adviser and its affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members, managers or otherwise, and that the Adviser and directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members and managers of the Adviser and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as stockholders or otherwise.

 

8)

Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees

If any person who is a manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser is or becomes a director, officer and/or employee of the Company and acts as such in any business of the Company, then such manager, partner, officer and/or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator shall be deemed to be acting in such capacity solely for the Company, and not as a manager, partner, officer or employee of the Adviser or the Administrator or under the control or direction of the Adviser or the Administrator, even if paid by the Adviser or the Administrator.

 

9)

Limitation of Liability of the Adviser; Indemnification

The Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its sole member) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services), and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Adviser (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation its general partner or managing member and the Administrator each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Adviser’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 9 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of criminal conduct, willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Adviser’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).

 

7


10)

Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement

 

  a)

This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above. This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on sixty (60) days’ written notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company or by the vote of the Company’s directors or by the Adviser. The provisions of Section 9 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Adviser shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement. Further, notwithstanding the termination or expiration of this Agreement as aforesaid, the Adviser shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 3 through the date of termination or expiration, and Section 9 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Adviser and its representatives as and to the extent applicable.

 

  b)

This Agreement shall continue in effect for two (2) years from the date hereof, or to the extent consistent with the requirements of the Investment Company Act, from the date of the Company’s election to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (A) the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company and (B) the vote of a majority of the Company’s directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

 

  c)

This Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its “assignment” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 15(a)(4) of the Investment Company Act).

 

11)

Notices

Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.

 

12)

Amendments

This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Company must be obtained in conformity with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.

 

13)

Entire Agreement; Governing Law

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. In such case, to the extent the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

* * *

 

8


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the date above written.

 

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II.
By:  

/s/ Jonathan Lamm

  Name:   Jonathan Lamm
  Title:   Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS II LLC
By:  

/s/ Alan Kirshenbaum

  Name:   Alan Kirshenbaum
  Title:   Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

9


Annex A

Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation

Before an Exchange Listing

Example 1: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee1,2:

Alternative 1

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.50%

Hurdle rate3 = 1.50%

Management fee4 = 0.23%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)5 = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income—(management fee + other expenses)) = 1.07%

Pre-incentive net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no Incentive Fee.

Alternative 2

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.10%

Hurdle rate3 = 1.50%

Management fee4 = 0.23%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)5 = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income—(management fee + other expenses)) = 1.67%

Incentive Fee = 100% × pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, subject to the “catch-up”6

= 100% × (1.67% - 1.5%)

= 0.17%

Alternative 3

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.50%

Hurdle rate3 = 1.50%

Management fee4 = 0.23%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)5 = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income—(management fee + other expenses)) = 3.07%

Incentive Fee = 10% × pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, subject to “catch-up”6

Incentive Fee = 100% × “catch-up” + (10% × (pre-Incentive Fee net investment income—1.67%))

Catch-up = 1.67% - 1.5% = 0.17%

 

A-1


Incentive Fee = (100% × 0.17%) + (10% × (3.07% - 1.67%))

= 0.17% + (10% × 1.40%)

= 0.17% + 0.14%

= 0.31%

 

1 

This example assumes that an Exchange Listing has not occurred.

2 

The hypothetical amount of pre-Incentive Fee net investment income shown is based on a percentage of total net assets.

3 

Represents 6.0% annualized hurdle rate.

4 

Represents 1.00% annualized management fee.

5 

Excludes organizational and offering expenses.

6 

The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Adviser with an Incentive Fee of 10% on all of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply. The “catch-up” portion of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income is the portion that exceeds the 1.5% hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 1.67% in any quarter.

 

A-2


Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation

After an Exchange Listing

Example 2: Income Related Portion of Incentive Fee1,2:

Alternative 1

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 1.50%

Hurdle rate3 = 1.50%

Management fee4 = 0.38%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)5 = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income—(management fee + other expenses)) = 0.92%

Pre-incentive net investment income does not exceed hurdle rate, therefore there is no Incentive Fee.

Alternative 2

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 2.10%

Hurdle rate3 = 1.50%

Management fee4 = 0.38%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)5 = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income—(management fee + other expenses)) = 1.52%

Incentive Fee = 100% × pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, subject to the “catch-up”6

= 100% × (1.52% - 1.50%)

= 0.02%

Alternative 3

Assumptions

Investment income (including interest, dividends, fees, etc.) = 3.50%

Hurdle rate3 = 1.50%

Management fee4 = 0.38%

Other expenses (legal, accounting, custodian, transfer agent, etc.)5 = 0.20%

Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income

(investment income—(management fee + other expenses)) = 2.93%

Incentive Fee = 17.50% × pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, subject to “catch-up”6

Incentive Fee = 100% × “catch-up” + (17.50% × (pre-Incentive Fee net investment income—1.82%))

Catch-up = 1.82% - 1.50% = 0.32%

Incentive Fee = (100% × 0.32%) + (17.50% × (2.92% - 1.82%))

= 0.32% + (17.50% × 1.10%)

 

A-3


= 0.32% + 0.19%

= 0.51%

 

1 

This example assumes that an Exchange Listing has occurred.

2 

The hypothetical amount of pre-Incentive Fee net investment income shown is based on a percentage of total net assets.

3 

Represents 6.0% annualized hurdle rate.

4 

Represents 1.50% annualized management fee.

5 

Excludes organizational and offering expenses.

6 

The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Adviser with an Incentive Fee of 17.50% on all of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply. The “catch-up” portion of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income is the portion that exceeds the 1.5% hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 1.82% in any quarter.

 

A-4


Example 3: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee (Before an Exchange Listing):

Assumptions

 

   

Year 1: The Listing Date has not occurred prior to the first day of the first calendar quarter. Prior to the last day of the first calendar quarter the Company has made an investment in Company A (“Investment A”), an investment in Company B (“Investment B”), an investment in Company C (“Investment C”), an investment in Company D (“Investment D”) and an investment in Company E (“Investment E”). On the last day of the first calendar quarter the fair market value (“FMV”) of each of Investment A, Investment B, Investment C, Investment D and Investment E is $10 million. For purposes of calculating the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, the cost basis of each of Investment A, Investment B, Investment C, Investment D and Investment E is considered to be its FMV as of the last day of the first calendar quarter; provided, however, that in no event will the Capital Gains Incentive Fee payable pursuant hereto be in excess of the amount permitted by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, including Section 205 thereof.

 

   

Year 2: Investment A sold for $20 million, fair market value (“FMV”) of Investment B determined to be $8 million, FMV of Investment C determined to be $12 million, and FMV of Investments D and E each determined to be $10 million.

 

   

Year 3: FMV of Investment of B determined to be $8 million, FMV of Investment C determined to be $14 million, FMV of Investment D determined to be $14 million and FMV of Investment E determined to be $16 million.

 

   

Year 4: $10 million investment made in Company F (“Investment F”), Investment D sold for $12 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $10 million, FMV of Investment C determined to be $16 million and FMV of Investment E determined to be $14 million.

 

   

Year 5: Investment C sold for $20 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $14 million, FMV of Investment E determined to be $10 million and FMV of Investment F determined to $12 million.

 

   

Year 6: Investment B sold for $16 million, FMV of Investment E determined to be $8 million and FMV of Investment F determined to be $15 million.

 

   

Year 7: Investment E sold for $8 million and FMV of Investment F determined to be $17 million.

 

   

Year 8: Investment F sold for $18 million.

 

A-5


These assumptions are summarized in the following chart:

 

     Investment A      Investment B      Investment C      Investment D      Investment E      Investment F      Cumulative
Unrealized
Capital
Depreciation
     Cumulative
Realized
Capital
Losses
     Cumulative
Realized
Capital Gains
 

Year 1

   $
 
10 million
(FMV/cost
basis)
 
 
 
   $
 
10 million
(FMV/cost
basis)
 
 
 
   $
 
10 million
(FMV/cost
basis)
 
 
 
   $
 
10 million
(FMV/cost
basis)
 
 
 
   $

 

10 million

(FMV/cost
basis)

 

 
 

     —          —          —          —    

Year 2

   $
 
20 million
(sale price)
 
 
   $
 
8 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
12 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
10 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
10 million
FMV
 
 
     —        $ 2 million        —        $ 10 million  

Year 3

     —        $
 
8 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
14 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
14 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
16 million
FMV
 
 
     —        $ 2 million        —        $ 10 million  

Year 4

     —        $
 
10 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
16 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
12 million
(sale price)
 
 
   $
 
14 million
FMV
 
 
   $

 

10 million

(cost basis)

 

 

     —          —        $ 12 million  

Year 5

     —        $
 
14 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
20 million
(sale price)
 
 
     —        $
 
10 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
12 million
FMV
 
 
     —          —        $ 22 million  

Year 6

     —        $
 
16 million
(sale price)
 
 
     —          —        $
 
8 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
15 million
FMV
 
 
   $ 2 million        —        $ 28 million  

Year 7

     —          —          —          —        $
 
8 million
(sale price)
 
 
   $
 
17 million
FMV
 
 
     —        $ 2 million      $ 28 million  

Year 8

     —          —          —          —          —        $

 

18 million

(sale price)

 

 

     —        $ 2 million      $ 36 million  

Before an Exchange Listing, the capital gains portion of the Incentive Fee would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = 10% multiplied by ($10 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation) = $0.8 million

 

   

Year 3:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = 10% multiplied by ($10 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $1.6 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $1.6 million less $1.6 million = $0.00

 

   

Year 4:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (10% multiplied by ($12 million cumulative realized capital gains)) less $1.6 million cumulative Capital Incentive Gains Fee previously paid = $2.4 million less $1.6 million = $0.4 million

 

A-6


   

Year 5:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (10% multiplied by ($22 million cumulative realized capital gains)) less $2.4 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $4.4 million less $2.4 million = $1.00 million

 

   

Year 6:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (10% multiplied by ($28 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $4.4 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $5.2 million less $4.4 million = $0.40 million

 

   

Year 7:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (10% multiplied by ($28 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative realized capital losses)) less $5.2 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $5.2 million less $5.2 million = $0.00

 

   

Year 8:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (10% multiplied by ($36 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative realized capital losses)) less $5.2 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $6.8 million less $5.2 million = $0.8 million

 

A-7


Example 4: Capital Gains Portion of Incentive Fee (After an Exchange Listing):

Assumptions

 

   

Year 1: The Listing Date is the last day of the first calendar quarter. Prior to the last day of the first calendar quarter the Company has made an investment in Company A (“Investment A”), an investment in Company B (“Investment B”), an investment in Company C (“Investment C”), an investment in Company D (“Investment D”) and an investment in Company E (“Investment E”). On the last day of the first calendar quarter the fair market value (“FMV”) of each of Investment A, Investment B, Investment C, Investment D and Investment E is $10 million. For purposes of calculating the Capital Gains Incentive Fee, the cost basis of each of Investment A, Investment B, Investment C, Investment D and Investment E is considered to be its FMV as of the last day of the first calendar quarter; provided, however, that in no event will the Capital Gains Incentive Fee payable pursuant hereto be in excess of the amount permitted by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, including Section 205 thereof.

 

   

Year 2: Investment A sold for $20 million, fair market value (“FMV”) of Investment B determined to be $8 million, FMV of Investment C determined to be $12 million, and FMV of Investments D and E each determined to be $10 million.

 

   

Year 3: FMV of Investment of B determined to be $8 million, FMV of Investment C determined to be $14 million, FMV of Investment D determined to be $14 million and FMV of Investment E determined to be $16 million.

 

   

Year 4: $10 million investment made in Company F (“Investment F”), Investment D sold for $12 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $10 million, FMV of Investment C determined to be $16 million and FMV of Investment E determined to be $14 million.

 

   

Year 5: Investment C sold for $20 million, FMV of Investment B determined to be $14 million, FMV of Investment E determined to be $10 million and FMV of Investment F determined to $12 million.

 

   

Year 6: Investment B sold for $16 million, FMV of Investment E determined to be $8 million and FMV of Investment F determined to be $15 million.

 

   

Year 7: Investment E sold for $8 million and FMV of Investment F determined to be $17 million.

 

   

Year 8: Investment F sold for $18 million.

 

A-8


These assumptions are summarized in the following chart:

 

     Investment A      Investment B      Investment C      Investment D      Investment E      Investment F      Cumulative
Unrealized
Capital
Depreciation
     Cumulative
Realized
Capital
Losses
     Cumulative
Realized
Capital Gains
 

Year 1

   $
 
10 million
(FMV/cost
basis)
 
 
 
   $
 
10 million
(FMV/cost
basis)
 
 
 
   $
 
10 million
(FMV/cost
basis)
 
 
 
   $
 
10 million
(FMV/cost
basis)
 
 
 
   $

 

10 million

(FMV/cost
basis)

 

 
 

     —          —          —          —    

Year 2

   $
 
20 million
(sale price)
 
 
   $
 
8 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
12 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
10 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
10 million
FMV
 
 
     —        $ 2 million        —        $ 10 million  

Year 3

     —        $
 
8 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
14 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
14 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
16 million
FMV
 
 
     —        $ 2 million        —        $ 10 million  

Year 4

     —        $
 
10 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
16 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
12 million
(sale price)
 
 
   $
 
14 million
FMV
 
 
   $

 

10 million

(cost basis)

 

 

     —          —        $ 12 million  

Year 5

     —        $
 
14 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
20 million
(sale price)
 
 
     —        $
 
10 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
12 million
FMV
 
 
     —          —        $ 22 million  

Year 6

     —        $

 

16 million

(sale price)

 

 

     —          —        $
 
8 million
FMV
 
 
   $
 
15 million
FMV
 
 
   $ 2 million        —        $ 28 million  

Year 7

     —          —          —          —        $
 
8 million
(sale price)
 
 
   $
 
17 million
FMV
 
 
     —        $ 2 million      $ 28 million  

Year 8

     —          —          —          —          —        $

 

18 million

(sale price)

 

 

     —        $ 2 million      $ 36 million  

After an Exchange Listing, the capital gains portion of the Incentive Fee would be:

 

   

Year 1: None

 

   

Year 2:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = 17.50% multiplied by ($10 million realized capital gains on sale of Investment A less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation) = $1.4 million

 

   

Year 3:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = 17.50% multiplied by ($10 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $1.6 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $1.6 million less $1.6 million = $0.00

 

   

Year 4:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (17.50% multiplied by ($12 million cumulative realized capital gains)) less $1.6 million cumulative Capital Incentive Gains Fee previously paid = $2.4 million less $1.6 million = $0.7 million

 

A-9


   

Year 5:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (17.50% multiplied by ($22 million cumulative realized capital gains)) less $2.4 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $4.4 million less $2.4 million = $1.75 million

 

   

Year 6:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (17.50% multiplied by ($28 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative capital depreciation)) less $4.4 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $5.2 million less $4.4 million = $0.70 million

 

   

Year 7:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (17.50% multiplied by ($28 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative realized capital losses)) less $5.2 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $5.2 million less $5.2 million = $0.00

 

   

Year 8:

Capital Gains Incentive Fee = (17.50% multiplied by ($36 million cumulative realized capital gains less $2 million cumulative realized capital losses)) less $5.2 million cumulative Capital Gains Incentive Fee previously paid = $6.8 million less $5.2 million = $1.4 million

 

A-10

EX-10.2 6 d250734dex102.htm EX-10.2 EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II

AND

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS II LLC

This Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of December 1, 2021 by and between OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS II LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Administrator”).

WHEREAS, the Company is a closed-end management investment fund that has elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”);

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Administrator to provide administrative services to the Company in the manner and on the terms hereinafter set forth; and

WHEREAS, the Administrator is willing to provide administrative services to the Company on the terms and conditions hereafter set forth.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants hereinafter contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Administrator hereby agree as follows:

 

  1.

Duties of the Administrator

 

  a.

Employment of Administrator. The Company hereby employs the Administrator to act as administrator of the Company, and to furnish, or arrange for others to furnish, the administrative services, personnel and facilities described below, subject to review by and the overall control of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. The Administrator hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render, or arrange for the rendering of, such services and to assume the obligations herein set forth subject to the reimbursement of costs and expenses provided for below. The Administrator and such others shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be independent contractors and shall, unless otherwise expressly provided or authorized herein, have no authority to act for or represent the Company in any way or otherwise be deemed agents of the Company.


  b.

Services. The Administrator shall perform (or oversee, or arrange for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for the operation of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator shall provide the Company with office facilities, equipment, clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services and such other services as the Administrator, subject to review by the Board, shall from time to time determine to be necessary or useful to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The Administrator shall also, on behalf of the Company, conduct relations with custodians, depositories, transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, other stockholder servicing agents, accountants, attorneys, underwriters, brokers and dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and such other persons in any such other capacity deemed to be necessary or desirable. The Administrator shall make reports to the Board of its performance of obligations hereunder and furnish advice and recommendations with respect to such other aspects of the business and affairs of the Company as it shall determine to be desirable; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the Administrator to, and the Administrator shall not, in its capacity as Administrator pursuant to this Agreement, provide any advice or recommendation relating to the securities and other assets that the Company should purchase, retain or sell or any other investment advisory services to the Company. The Administrator shall be responsible for the financial and other records that the Company is required to maintain and shall prepare, print and disseminate reports to stockholders, and reports and other materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Administrator will provide on the Company’s behalf significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which the Company is required to provide such assistance. In addition, the Administrator will assist the Company in determining and publishing (as necessary or appropriate) the Company’s net asset value, overseeing the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns, and generally overseeing the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others.

 

  2.

Records

The Administrator agrees to maintain and keep all books, accounts and other records of the Company that relate to activities performed by the Administrator hereunder and will maintain and keep such books, accounts and records in accordance with the Investment Company Act. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Administrator agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company shall at all times remain the property of the Company, shall be readily accessible during normal business hours, and shall be promptly surrendered upon the termination of the Agreement or otherwise on written request. The Administrator further agrees that all records which it maintains for the Company pursuant to Rule 31a-1 under the Investment Company Act will be preserved for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act unless any such records are earlier surrendered as provided above. Records shall be surrendered in usable machine-readable form. The Administrator shall have the right to retain copies of such records subject to observance of its confidentiality obligations under this Agreement.

 

2


  3.

Confidentiality

The parties hereto agree that each shall treat confidentially the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all information provided by each party to the other regarding its business and operations. All confidential information provided by a party hereto, including nonpublic personal information (regulated pursuant to Regulation S-P of the SEC), shall be used by any other party hereto solely for the purpose of rendering services pursuant to this Agreement and, except as may be required in carrying out this Agreement, shall not be disclosed to any third party, without the prior consent of such providing party. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by any regulatory authority, any authority or legal counsel of the parties hereto, by judicial or administrative process or otherwise by applicable law or regulation.

 

  4.

Compensation; Allocation of Costs and Expenses

In full consideration of the provision of the services of the Administrator, the Company shall reimburse the Administrator for the costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities hereunder, it being understood and agreed that, except as otherwise provided herein or in that certain Investment Advisory Agreement, by and between the Company and the Administrator (the Administrator, in its capacity as adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the “Adviser”), as amended from time to time (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Administrator shall be solely responsible for the compensation of its employees and all overhead expenses of the Administrator (including rent, office equipment and utilities). The Company will bear all costs and expenses that are incurred in its operation, administration and transactions and not specifically assumed by the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Costs and expenses to be borne by the Company include, but are not limited to, those relating to: the cost of its organization and any offerings; the cost of calculating its net asset value, including the cost of any third-party valuation services; the cost of effecting any sales and repurchases of the Common Stock and other securities; fees and expenses payable under any dealer manager agreements, if any; debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements; costs of hedging; expenses, including travel expense, incurred by the Administrator, or members of the Investment Team, or payable to third parties, performing due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, enforcing the Company’s rights; escrow agent, transfer agent and custodial fees and expenses; fees and expenses associated with marketing efforts; federal and state registration fees, any stock exchange listing fees and fees payable to rating agencies; federal, state and local taxes; independent directors’ fees and expenses including certain travel expenses; costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records and filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, including registration fees, listing fees and licenses, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation of the foregoing; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders (including printing and mailing costs), the costs of any stockholder or director meetings and the compensation of personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters; commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers; research and market data; fidelity bond, directors and officers errors and omissions liability insurance and other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including printing, mailing, long distance telephone and staff; fees and expenses associated with independent audits, outside legal and consulting costs; costs of winding up; costs incurred in connection with the formation or maintenance of entities or vehicles to hold the Company’s assets for tax or other purposes; extraordinary expenses (such as litigation or indemnification); and costs associated with reporting and compliance obligations under the Advisers Act and applicable federal and

 

3


state securities laws. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company will bear its allocable portion of the costs of the compensation, benefits and related administrative expenses (including travel expenses) of the Company’s officers who provide operational and administrative services hereunder, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to the Company (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate) who assist with the preparation, coordination, and administration of the foregoing or provide other “back office” or “middle office” financial or operational services to the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall reimburse the Adviser (or its affiliates) for an allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals (based on a percentage of time such individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the business affairs of the Company and in acting on behalf of the Company). For the avoidance of doubt, the Adviser shall be solely responsible for any placement or “finder’s” fees payable to placement agents engaged by the Company or its affiliates in connection with the offering of securities by the Company.

 

  5.

Limitation of Liability of the Administrator; Indemnification

The Administrator (and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it) shall not be liable to the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Administrator in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company and the Company shall indemnify, defend and protect the Administrator (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members, and any other person or entity affiliated with the Administrator each of whom shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof) (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) and hold them harmless from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by the Indemnified Parties in or by reason of any pending, threatened or completed action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including an action or suit by or in the right of the Company or its security holders) arising out of or otherwise based upon the performance of any of the Administrator’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 5 to the contrary, nothing contained herein shall protect or be deemed to protect the Indemnified Parties against or entitle or be deemed to entitle the Indemnified Parties to indemnification in respect of, any liability to the Company or its security holders to which the Indemnified Parties would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of the Administrator’s duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Administrator’s duties and obligations under this Agreement (to the extent applicable, as the same shall be determined in accordance with the Investment Company Act and any interpretations or guidance by the SEC or its staff thereunder).

 

  6.

Activities of the Administrator

The services of the Administrator to the Company are not to be deemed to be exclusive, and the Administrator and each affiliate is free to render services to others. It is understood that directors, officers, employees and stockholders of the Company are or may become interested in the Administrator and its affiliates, as directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners, stockholders or otherwise, and that the Administrator and directors, officers, members, managers, employees, partners and stockholders of the Administrator and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the Company as stockholders or otherwise.

 

4


  7.

Duration and Termination of this Agreement

 

  a.

This Agreement shall continue in effect for two (2) years from the date hereof, and thereafter shall continue automatically for successive annual periods, provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by:

 

  i.

the vote of the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company; and

 

  ii.

the vote of a majority of the Company’s directors who are not parties to this Agreement or “interested persons” (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act) of any such party, in accordance with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.                

 

  b.

The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on sixty (60) days’ written notice, by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, or by the vote of the Board or by the Administrator.

 

  c.

This Agreement may not be assigned by a party without the consent of the other party; provided, however, that the rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be assigned to a newly formed entity in the event of the merger of the Company into, or conveyance of all of the assets of the Company to, such newly formed entity; provided, further, however, that the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the Company’s legal form into another limited liability entity. The provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and the Administrator shall remain entitled to the benefits thereof, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement.

 

  8.

Amendments of this Agreement

This Agreement may be amended pursuant to a written instrument by mutual consent of the parties.

 

  9.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, if any. In such case, to the extent the applicable laws of the State of Delaware, or any of the provisions herein, conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

 

  10.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings and arrangements with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

5


  11.

Notices

Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at its principal office.

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II
By:  

/s/ Jonathan Lamm

  Name: Jonathan Lamm
  Title: Chief Operating Officer and Chief           Financial Officer
OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY ADVISORS II LLC
By:  

/s/ Alan Kirshenbaum

  Name: Alan Kirshenbaum
  Title: Chief Operating Officer and Chief           Financial Officer

 

7

EX-10.3 7 d250734dex103.htm EX-10.3 EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

OF

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II

Effective as of December 1, 2021

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II, a Maryland corporation (the “Company), hereby adopts the following plan (the “Plan) with respect to cash dividend distributions declared by its Board of Directors on shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”).

1. Unless a stockholder specifically elects to receive cash pursuant to paragraph 4 below, all cash dividend distributions hereafter declared by the Company’s Board of Directors shall be reinvested by the Company in the Company’s Common Stock on behalf of each stockholder, and no action shall be required on such stockholder’s part to receive such Common Stock.

2. Such cash dividend distributions shall be payable on such date or dates (each, a “Payment Date”) as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors to stockholders of record at the close of business on the record date(s) established by the Board of Directors for the cash dividend distribution involved.

3. Prior to the initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock, the Company intends to use primarily newly issued shares of its Common Stock to implement the Plan. The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to a stockholder that has not elected to receive its dividends in cash in accordance with paragraph 4 below (each, a “Participant”) shall be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to such Participant by the net asset value per share of the Company’s Common Stock as of the last day of the Company’s fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date such distribution was declared (the “Reference NAV”); provided that in the event a distribution is declared on the last day of a fiscal quarter, the Reference NAV shall be deemed to be the net asset value per share of the Company’s Common Stock as of such day; provided further that the number of shares to be issued to a Participant pursuant to the foregoing shall be rounded downward to the nearest whole number to avoid the issuance of fractional shares, it being understood that any fractional share otherwise issuable to a Participant but for this proviso shall instead be paid to such Participant in cash as further provided in paragraph 5 below.

4. A stockholder may elect to receive any portion of its cash dividend distributions in cash. To exercise this option, such stockholder shall notify the Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company (referred to as the Plan Administrator”), in writing (using the form of notice set forth as an appendix to the Subscription Agreement signed by such stockholder or any other form of notice as distributed to such stockholder by the Company) so that such notice is received by the Plan Administrator no later than ten (10) days prior to the record date fixed by the Board of Directors for the first distribution such stockholder wishes to receive in cash. Such election shall remain in effect until the stockholder shall notify the Plan Administrator in writing of such stockholder’s desire to change its election, which notice shall be delivered to the Plan Administrator no later than ten (10) days prior to the record date fixed by the Board of Directors for the first distribution for which such stockholder wishes its new election to take effect.

5. Shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan in connection with any cash dividend shall be issued to each Participant (i) in the event that the applicable Reference NAV has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (or a committee thereof) prior to the Payment Date of such cash dividend, on the Payment Date or (ii) otherwise, promptly upon the date such approval has been provided by the Company’s Board of Directors. All shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan shall be issued in non-certificated form and shall be credited to such Participant on the books and records of the Company. Cash payable to a Participant in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to paragraph 3 shall be paid contemporaneously with the issuance of such shares in connection with such cash dividend.


6. The Plan Administrator will confirm to each Participant each issuance of shares of Common Stock made to such Participant pursuant to the Plan as soon as practicable following the date of such issuance.

7. The Plan Administrator’s service fee, if any, and expenses for administering the Plan will be paid for by the Company. There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the Plan.

8. The Plan may be terminated by the Company upon notice in writing mailed to each Participant at least thirty (30) days prior to the effectiveness of such termination.

9. These terms and conditions may be amended or supplemented by the Company at any time. Any such amendment or supplement may include an appointment by the Plan Administrator in its place and stead of a successor agent under the terms and conditions agreed upon by the Company, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Plan Administrator as agreed to by the Company.

10. The Plan Administrator will at all times act in good faith and use its best efforts within reasonable limits to ensure its full and timely performance of all services to be performed by it under this Plan and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors.

11. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflicts of law principles thereof, to the extent such principles would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

EX-10.4 8 d250734dex104.htm EX-10.4 EX-10.4

Exhibit 10.4

FORM OF INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

THIS INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into this [    ] day of 2021, by and between Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II, a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned (“Indemnitee”).

WHEREAS, at the request of the Company, Indemnitee currently serves as a director of the Company and may, therefore, be subjected to claims, suits or proceedings arising as a result of his service; and

WHEREAS, as an inducement to Indemnitee to continue to serve as such director, the Company has agreed to indemnify and to advance expenses and costs incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any such claims, suits or proceedings, to the fullest extent permitted by law, except as otherwise expressly provided for herein; and

WHEREAS, the parties by this Agreement desire to set forth their agreement regarding indemnification and advance of expenses;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) “Change of Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events after the Effective Date of this Agreement:

(i) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or

(ii) the acquisition, whether directly, indirectly, beneficially (within the meaning of rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”)) or of record, as a result of a merger, consolidation or otherwise, of securities of the Company representing twenty percent (20%) or more of the aggregate voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding common stock by any “person” (within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act), including, but not limited to, any corporation or group of persons acting in concert, other than (i) the Company or its subsidiaries and/or (ii) any employee pension benefit plan (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) of the Company or its subsidiaries, including a trust established pursuant to any such plan; or

(iii) the individuals who were members of the Board of Directors as of the Effective Date (the “Incumbent Board”) cease to constitute at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Board; provided, however, that any director appointed by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the then Incumbent Board or nominated by at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (a majority of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall be members of the then Incumbent Board or appointees thereof), other than any director appointed or nominated in connection with, or as a result of, a threatened or actual proxy or control contest, shall be deemed to constitute a member of the Incumbent Board.

(b) “Corporate Status” means the status of a person who is or was a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise for which such person is or was serving at the request of the Company.


(c) “Covered Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(d) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(e) “Effective Date” means the date set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

(f) “Expenses” shall include all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding.

(g) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party, or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. If a Change of Control has not occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board of Directors, with the approval of Indemnitee, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld. If a Change of Control has occurred, Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee, with the approval of the Board of Directors, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

(h) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, administrative hearing or any other proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including on appeal), except one (i) initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement to enforce his rights under this Agreement or (ii) pending or completed on or before the Effective Date, unless otherwise specifically agreed in writing by the Company and Indemnitee.

Section 2. Services by Indemnitee. Indemnitee will serve as a director of the Company. However, this Agreement shall not impose any obligation on Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee’s service to the Company beyond any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of the parties, if any.

Section 3. Indemnification — General. The Company shall indemnify, and advance Expenses to, Indemnitee (a) as provided in this Agreement and (b) otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time; provided, however, that no change in Maryland law shall have the effect of reducing the benefits available to Indemnitee hereunder based on Maryland law as in effect on the date hereof. The rights of Indemnitee provided in this Section 3 shall include, without limitation, the rights set forth in the other sections of this Agreement, including any additional indemnification permitted by Section 2-418(g) of the Maryland General Corporation Law (“MGCL”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3 or any other section of this Agreement, for so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Investment Company Act”), the Company shall not indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee to the extent such indemnification or advance would violate the Investment Company Act.


Section 4. Proceedings Other Than Proceedings Arising from an Alleged Violation of State or Federal Securities Law. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 4 if, by reason of his Corporate Status, he is, or is threatened to be, made a party to or a witness in any threatened, pending, or completed Proceeding. Pursuant to this Section 4, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with a Proceeding by reason of his Corporate Status only if (i) the Company has determined, in good faith, that the course of conduct that caused the loss or liability was in the best interests of the Corporation; (ii) the Company has determined, in good faith, that the Indemnitee was acting on behalf of or performing services for the Company; (iii) the Company has determined, in good faith, that such liability or loss was not the result of gross negligence or willful misconduct in the case that the Indemnitee is a director and not also an officer of the Company, the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser; and (iv) such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable only out of the Company’s net assets and not from the Company’s stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4 shall only apply to an Indemnitee prior to the qualification of the Company’s common stock as Covered Securities.

Section 5. Proceedings Arising from an Alleged Violation of State or Federal Securities Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 4 above, the Company shall not provide indemnification to an Indemnitee for any loss, liability or expense arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws by such party unless one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged material securities law violations as to the Indemnitee; (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction as to the Indemnitee; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against the Indemnitee and finds that indemnification of the settlement and the related costs should be made, and the court considering the request for indemnification has been advised of the position of the Securities and Exchange Commission and of the published position of any state securities regulatory authority in which Shares were offered or sold as to indemnification for violations of securities laws. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 5 shall only apply to an Indemnitee prior to the qualification of the Company’s common stock as Covered Securities.

Section 6. Court-Ordered Indemnification. In addition to any other indemnification that may be provided under this Agreement, and notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a court of appropriate jurisdiction, upon application of Indemnitee and such notice as the court shall require, may order indemnification in the following circumstances:

(a) if it determines Indemnitee is entitled to reimbursement under Section 2-418(d)(1) of the MGCL, the court shall order indemnification, in which case Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover the expenses of securing such reimbursement; or

(b) if it determines that Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not Indemnitee (i) has met the standards of conduct set forth in Section 2-418(b) of the MGCL or (ii) has been adjudged liable for receipt of an improper personal benefit under Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL, the court may order such indemnification as the court shall deem proper. However, indemnification with respect to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or in which liability shall have been adjudged in the circumstances described in Section 2-418(c) of the MGCL shall be limited to Expenses.

Section 7. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, made a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any Proceeding, he shall be indemnified for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee under this Section 7 for all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter, allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.


Section 8. Advance of Expenses. The Company shall advance all reasonable legal expenses and other costs incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party or a witness, only if all of the following are satisfied: (a) the proceeding relates to acts or omissions with respect to the performance of duties or services on behalf of the Company, (b) the Indemnitee provides the Company with written affirmation of the Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the Indemnitee has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by Section 4 or 5 hereof, (c) the legal proceeding was initiated by a third party who is not a Stockholder or, if by a Stockholder of the Company acting in his or her capacity as such, a court of competent jurisdiction approves such advancement, and (d) the Indemnitee provides the Company with a written agreement, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or in such form as may be required under applicable law as in effect at the time of the execution thereof, to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Company, together with the applicable legal rate of interest thereon, if it is ultimately determined that the Indemnitee did not comply with the requisite standard of conduct and is not entitled to indemnification. The Company shall advance all reasonable Expenses so incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written affirmation by Indemnitee of Indemnitee’s good faith belief that the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company as authorized by law and by this Agreement has been met and a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee satisfying (d) above. For so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act, any advancement of Expenses shall be subject to at least one of the following as a condition of the advancement: (a) Indemnitee shall provide a security for his or her undertaking, (b) the Company shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances or (c) a majority of a quorum of the Disinterested Directors of the Company, or Independent Counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full-trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe that Indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification. To the extent that Expenses advanced to Indemnitee do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis. The undertaking required by this Section 8 shall be an unlimited general obligation by or on behalf of Indemnitee and shall be accepted without reference to Indemnitee’s financial ability to repay such advanced Expenses and without any requirement to post security therefor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 8 shall only apply to an Indemnitee prior to the qualification of the Company’s common stock as Covered Securities.

Section 9. Procedure for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification.

(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The Secretary of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board of Directors in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification.

(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 9(a) hereof, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall promptly be made in the specific case: (i) if a Change of Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (ii) if a Change of Control shall not have occurred, (A) by the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized committee thereof) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of Disinterested Directors, or (B) if a quorum of the Board of Directors consisting of Disinterested Directors is not obtainable or, even if obtainable, such quorum of Disinterested Directors so directs, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee, or (C) if so directed by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, by the stockholders of the Company; and, if it is so determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such


person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification) and the Company shall indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

Section 10. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 9(a) of this Agreement, and the Company shall have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption in connection with the making of any determination contrary to that presumption.

(b) The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an order of probation prior to judgment, does not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet the requisite standard of conduct described herein for indemnification.

Section 11. Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a) If (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advance of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement within ten (10) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within ten (10) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Maryland, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of his entitlement to such indemnification or advance of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 11(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply to a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his rights under Section 7 of this Agreement.

(b) In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11 the Company shall have the burden of proving that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses, as the case may be.

(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 9(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11, absent a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification.

(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 11, seeks a judicial adjudication of or an award in arbitration to enforce his rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to recover from the Company, and shall be indemnified by the Company for, any and all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in such judicial adjudication or arbitration. If it shall be determined in such judicial adjudication or arbitration that Indemnitee is entitled to receive part but not all of the indemnification or advance of Expenses sought, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such judicial adjudication or arbitration shall be appropriately prorated.


Section 12. Defense of the Underlying Proceeding.

(a) Indemnitee shall notify the Company promptly upon being served with or receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information, notice, request or other document relating to any Proceeding which may result in the right to indemnification or the advance of Expenses hereunder; provided, however, that the failure to give any such notice shall not disqualify Indemnitee from the right, or otherwise affect in any manner any right of Indemnitee, to indemnification or the advance of Expenses under this Agreement unless the Company’s ability to defend in such Proceeding or to obtain proceeds under any insurance policy is materially and adversely prejudiced thereby, and then only to the extent the Company is thereby actually so prejudiced.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the last sentence of this Section 12(b) and of Section 12(c) below, the Company shall have the right to defend Indemnitee in any Proceeding which may give rise to indemnification hereunder; provided, however, that the Company shall notify Indemnitee of any such decision to defend within fifteen (15) calendar days following receipt of notice of any such Proceeding under Section 12(a) above. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Indemnitee, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, consent to the entry of any judgment against Indemnitee or enter into any settlement or compromise which (i) includes an admission of fault of Indemnitee or (ii) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the full release of Indemnitee from all liability in respect of such Proceeding, which release shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. This Section 12(b) shall not apply to a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee under Section 11 above or Section 18 below.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12(b) above, if in a Proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, (i) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that he may have separate defenses or counterclaims to assert with respect to any issue which may not be consistent with other defendants in such Proceeding, (ii) Indemnitee reasonably concludes, based upon an opinion of counsel approved by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, that an actual or apparent conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists between Indemnitee and the Company, or (iii) if the Company fails to assume the defense of such Proceeding in a timely manner, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be represented by separate legal counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company. In addition, if the Company fails to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any Proceeding to deny or to recover from Indemnitee the benefits intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall have the right to retain counsel of Indemnitee’s choice, subject to the prior approval of the Company, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, at the expense of the Company (subject to Section 11(d)), to represent Indemnitee in connection with any such matter.

Section 13. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Subrogation; Insurance; Investment Company Act.

(a) The rights of indemnification and advance of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Company (as amended from time to time, the “Charter”) or the Bylaws of the Company (as amended from time to time, the “Bylaws”), any agreement or a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal.

(b) In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.


(c) The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable or payable or reimbursable as expenses hereunder if and to the extent that (i) Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise, or (ii) for so long as the Company is subject to the Investment Company Act, indemnification or payment or reimbursement of expenses would not be permissible under the Investment Company Act.

Section 14. Insurance. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to acquire directors and officers liability insurance, on terms and conditions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company, with the advice of counsel, covering Indemnitee or any claim made against Indemnitee for service as a director or officer of the Company and covering the Company for any indemnification or advance of Expenses made by the Company to Indemnitee for any claims made against Indemnitee for service as a director or officer of the Company. Without in any way limiting any other obligation under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee for any payment by Indemnitee arising out of the amount of any deductible or retention and the amount of any excess of the aggregate of all judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding over the coverage of any insurance referred to in the previous sentence.

Section 15. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding, whether instituted by the Company or any other party, and to which Indemnitee is not a party, he shall be advanced all reasonable Expenses and indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection therewith.

Section 16. Duration of Agreement; Binding Effect.

(a) This Agreement shall continue until and terminate ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee’s Corporate Status shall have ceased; provided, however, that the rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall continue until the final termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advance of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement relating thereto.

(b) The indemnification and advance of Expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Agreement shall be binding upon and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise which such person is or was serving at the written request of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and his spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

(c) The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

Section 17. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.


Section 18. Exception to Right of Indemnification or Advance of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses under this Agreement with respect to any Proceeding brought by Indemnitee, unless (a) the Proceeding is brought to enforce indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise or (b) the Company’s Bylaws, the Charter, a resolution of the stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or of the Board of Directors or an agreement approved by the Board of Directors to which the Company is a party expressly provide otherwise. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification or advance of Expenses under this Agreement to the extent such indemnification or advance of Expenses would conflict with any provision of the Company’s Bylaws or the Charter, in each case without giving effect to the non-exclusivity provision set forth in Section 11.08 of the Charter; provided, however, that foregoing restriction not apply and shall be of no force or effect if and to the extent the Company’s common stock is qualified as a Covered Security.

Section 19. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. One such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought shall be sufficient to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

Section 20. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

Section 21. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

Section 22. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if (i) delivered by hand and receipted for by the party to whom said notice or other communication shall have been directed, or (ii) mailed by certified or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the date on which it is so mailed:

(a) If to Indemnitee, to: the address set forth on the signature page hereto.

(b) If to the Company, to:

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II

399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

Section 23. Governing Law. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with (i) the laws of the State of Maryland applicable to contracts formed and to be performed entirely within the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflicts of laws rules, to the extent such rules would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction, and (ii) the Investment Company Act. To the extent the applicable laws of the State of Maryland or any applicable provision of this Agreement shall conflict with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.

Section 24. Miscellaneous. Use of the masculine pronoun shall be deemed to include usage of the feminine pronoun where appropriate.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.

 

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II
By:  

         

Name:   Jonathan Lamm
Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
INDEMNITEE

 

Name:  
Title:


EXHIBIT A

FORM OF UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES ADVANCED

The Board of Directors of Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II

Re: Undertaking to Repay Expenses Advanced

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This undertaking is being provided pursuant to that certain Indemnification Agreement (the “Indemnification Agreement”) dated the ___day of _______________, 2021, by and between Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II (the “Company”) and the undersigned Indemnitee (“Indemnitee”), pursuant to which I am entitled to advance of expenses in connection with [Description of Proceeding] (the “Proceeding”).

Terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings specified in the Indemnification Agreement.

I am subject to the Proceeding by reason of my Corporate Status or by reason of alleged actions or omissions by me in such capacity. I hereby affirm that at all times, insofar as I was involved as director of the Company, in any of the facts or events giving rise to the Proceeding, I (1) acted in good faith and honestly, (2) did not receive any improper personal benefit in money, property or services and (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that any act or omission by me was unlawful.

In consideration of the advance of Expenses by the Company for reasonable attorneys’ fees and related expenses incurred by me in connection with the Proceeding (the “Advanced Expenses”), I hereby agree that if, in connection with the Proceeding, it is established that (1) an act or omission by me was material to the matter giving rise to the Proceeding and (a) was committed in bad faith or (b) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty or (2) I actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (3) in the case of any criminal proceeding, I had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful, then I shall promptly reimburse the portion of the Advanced Expenses relating to the claims, issues or matters in the Proceeding as to which the foregoing findings have been established and which have not been successfully resolved as described in Section 7 of the Indemnification Agreement. To the extent that Advanced Expenses do not relate to a specific claim, issue or matter in the Proceeding, I agree that such Expenses shall be allocated on a reasonable and proportionate basis.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Affirmation and Undertaking on this ___day of ______________, 2021.

 

WITNESS:

  
EX-10.5 9 d250734dex105.htm EX-10.5 EX-10.5

Exhibit 10.5

CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT

This Agreement, dated as of                 , 2021, is between OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (the “Fund”), and STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the “Custodian”).

WITNESSETH: that in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1.    EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT.

The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of its assets, including securities (including stocks, shares, bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages or other obligations and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or evidencing or representing any other rights or interests therein, or in any property or assets) which the Fund desires to be held in places within the United States (“domestic securities”) and securities it desires to be held outside the United States (“foreign securities”). The Fund agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities and cash owned by it, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by it from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund (“Shares”) as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of the Fund held or received by the Fund but not delivered to the Custodian. With respect to uncertificated shares (the “Underlying Shares”) of registered “investment companies” (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time (the “1940 Act”)), whether in the same “group of investment companies” (as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 1940 Act) or otherwise, including pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Underlying Portfolios”) the holding of confirmation statements that identify the shares as being recorded in the Custodian’s name on behalf of the Fund will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.

Upon receipt of “Proper Instructions” (as such term is defined in Section 7 hereof), the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub-custodians located in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”). The Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for the Fund’s foreign securities the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4. The Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.

SECTION 2.    DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD BY THE CUSTODIAN IN THE UNITED STATES.

SECTION 2.1    HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of the Fund all non-cash property, to be held by it in the United States, including

 

1


all domestic securities owned by the Fund other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book- entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a “U.S. Securities System”) and (b) Underlying Shares owned by the Fund which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.13 hereof in an account with State Street Bank and Trust Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions (each, an “Underlying Transfer Agent”).

SECTION 2.2    DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic securities owned by the Fund held by the Custodian, in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian, or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

 

  1)

Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and receipt of payment therefor;

 

  2)

Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;

 

  3)

In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;

 

  4)

To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for securities of the Fund;

 

  5)

To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

  6)

To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

  7)

Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with “street delivery” custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct;

 

2


  8)

For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

  9)

In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

 

  10)

For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund, which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian’s account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;

 

  11)

For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;

 

  12)

For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

  13)

For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund;

 

  14)

Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments (including, without limitation, to one or more additional custodians appointed by the Fund, and communicated to the Custodian from time to time via a writing duly executed by an authorized officer of the Fund, for the purpose of engaging in repurchase agreement transactions(s), each a “Repo Custodian”), and prior to receipt of payment therefor, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such delivery in advance of payment, along with payment in advance of delivery made in accordance with Section 2.6(7), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a “Free Trade”),

 

3


  provided that such Proper Instructions shall set forth (a) the securities of the Fund to be delivered and (b) the person(s) to whom delivery of such securities shall be made;

 

  15)

Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the Fund (the “Transfer Agent”) for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in the Fund’s currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information (the “Prospectus”), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;

 

  16)

For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund;

 

  17)

In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer Agent of Underlying Shares, in accordance with Section 2.13 hereof; and

 

  18)

For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the securities of the Fund to be delivered and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

SECTION 2.3    REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic securities held by the Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund, unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered investment companies having the same investment advisor as the Fund, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Agreement shall be in “street name” or other good delivery form. If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in “street name”, the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

SECTION 2.4    BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of the Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Monies held by the Custodian for the Fund may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the monies to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall be approved by vote of a majority of the Board. Such monies shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.

 

4


SECTION 2.5    COLLECTION OF INCOME. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund’s custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due the Fund on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2(10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Fund is properly entitled.

SECTION 2.6    PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund in the following cases only:

 

  1)

Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the Fund but only (a) against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase of Underlying Shares, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.13 hereof; (d) repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of FINRA, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Fund; or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined herein;

 

5


  2)

In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;

 

  3)

For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued;

 

  4)

For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Fund, including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Fund: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

 

  5)

For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;

 

  6)

For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

 

  7)

Upon the purchase of domestic investments including, without limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Fund monies to Repo Custodian(s), and prior to receipt of such investments, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such payment in advance of delivery, along with delivery in advance of payment made in accordance with Section 2.2(14), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a “Free Trade”), provided that such Proper Instructions shall also set forth (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person(s) to whom such payment is made;

 

  8)

For the fulfillment of the Fund’s obligations with respect to unfunded commitments incurred in connection with Loans (as such term is defined in the Loan Services Addendum attached hereto);

 

  9)

For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund; and

 

  10)

For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

SECTION 2.7    APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 2 as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an agent or sub-custodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.7 or any other provision of this Agreement.

 

6


SECTION 2.8    DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by the Fund in a U.S. Securities System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

SECTION 2.9    SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of the Fund, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker- dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of FINRA (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the CFTC or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (iv) for any other purpose upon receipt of Proper Instructions.

SECTION 2.10    OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of the Fund held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.

SECTION 2.11    PROXIES. The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities held hereunder, promptly deliver to the Fund, or cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund and deliver to the Fund, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities. Neither Custodian nor any nominee of Custodian shall vote any of the securities held hereunder by or for the account of the Fund, except in accordance with the instructions contained in an officers’ certificate.

SECTION 2.12    COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FUND SECURITIES. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of domestic securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities being held for the Fund. With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in

 

7


connection with foreign securities or other property of the Fund at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual or effective possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power.

SECTION 2.13    DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENT. Underlying Shares beneficially owned by the Fund shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer Agent and the Custodian’s only responsibilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the following:

 

  1)

Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying Transfer Agent that such Underlying Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying Shares in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of the Fund, the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that such Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the benefit of the Fund.

 

  2)

In respect of the purchase of Underlying Shares for the account of the Fund, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall pay out monies of the Fund as so directed, and record such payment from the account of the Fund on the Custodian’s books and records.

 

  3)

In respect of the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for the account of the Fund, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall transfer such Underlying Shares as so directed, record such transfer from the account of the Fund on the Custodian’s books and records and, upon the Custodian’s receipt of the proceeds therefor, record such payment for the account of the Fund on the Custodian’s books and records.

The Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund resulting from the maintenance of Underlying Shares with an Underlying Transfer Agent except for losses resulting directly from the fraud, negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their employees.

SECTION 3.    PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7.

SECTION 3.1.    DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the indicated meanings:

“Country Risk” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country), prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, insolvency of a Foreign Sub-Custodian, and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.

 

8


“Eligible Foreign Custodian” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the SEC, or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.

“Eligible Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.

“Foreign Assets” means any of the Fund’s investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Fund’s transactions in such investments.

“Foreign Custody Manager” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5. “Rule 17f-5” means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

“Rule 17f-7” means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

SECTION 3.2.    THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.

3.2.1    DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. The Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets held outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.

3.2.2    COUNTRIES COVERED. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by the Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the Fund’s assets, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.

Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund of the applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by the Board responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by the Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A in which the Custodian has previously placed or currently maintains Foreign Assets pursuant to the terms of the Agreement. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager

 

9


to close the account of the Fund with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and the Custodian shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to that country.

The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian’s acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.

3.2.3    SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:

(a)    SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).

(b)    CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).

(c)    MONITORING. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall (i) notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder, and (ii) withdraw the Foreign Assets as directed by the Board or pursuant to Proper Instructions.

 

10


3.2.4    GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY. For purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.

3.2.5    REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Fund described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.

3.2.6    STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF THE FUND. In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.

3.2.7    REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17F-5. The Foreign Custody Manager represents to the Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. The Fund represents to the Custodian that the Board has determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund.

3.2.8    EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. The Board’s delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective sixty (60) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Fund with respect to designated countries.

SECTION 3.3    ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.

3.3.1    ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7. If a custody arrangement with an Eligible Securities Depository no longer meets the requirements of this Section, the Fund’s Foreign Assets must be withdrawn from the depository as soon as reasonably practicable and the Custodian shall act in accordance with Proper Instructions to withdraw such Foreign Assets.

 

11


3.3.2    STANDARD OF CARE. The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1.

SECTION 4.    DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE FUND HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.

SECTION 4.1    DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the indicated meanings:

“Foreign Securities System” means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B hereto.

“Foreign Sub-Custodian” means an Eligible Foreign Custodian.

SECTION 4.2.    HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund the foreign securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities for all of its customers, including the Fund, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities of the Fund which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Fund and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.

SECTION 4.3.    FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such country.

SECTION 4.4.    TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.

4.4.1.    DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Fund held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

 

  (i)

upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Fund in accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the country where such foreign securities are held or traded, including, without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of the Foreign Securities System;

 

12


  (ii)

in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign securities;

 

  (iii)

to the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for foreign securities of the Fund;

 

  (iv)

to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;

 

  (v)

to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;

 

  (vi)

to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any such case the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct;

 

  (vii)

for exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;

 

  (viii)

in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;

 

  (ix)

for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund;

 

  (x)

for delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund;

 

  (xi)

in connection with the lending of foreign securities; and

 

  (xii)

for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the foreign securities to be delivered and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.

 

13


4.4.2.    PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of the Fund in the following cases only:

 

  (i)

upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Fund, unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities System;

 

  (ii)

in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign securities of the Fund;

 

  (iii)

for the payment of any expense or liability of the Fund, including but not limited to the following payments: interest, taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating expenses;

 

  (iv)

for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for the Fund, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;

 

  (v)

for delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund;

 

  (vi)

for payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of securities sold short;

 

  (vii)

in connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities; and

 

  (viii)

for any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

4.4.3.    MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Fund and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Fund may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.

 

14


The Custodian shall provide to the Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices as described on Schedule C hereto in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian at the time or times set forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.

SECTION 4.5.    REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the Fund agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of the Fund under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.

SECTION 4.6    BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United States on behalf of the Fund with a Foreign Sub-Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Fund. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

SECTION 4.7.    COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Fund shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the Fund. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.

SECTION 4.8    SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian will use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. The Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.

SECTION 4.9.    COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES.    The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Fund (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of

 

15


foreign securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Fund at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Fund regarding any class action or other litigation in connection with foreign securities or other assets issued outside the United States and then held, or previously held, during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian for the account of the Fund, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. For avoidance of doubt, upon and after the effective date of any termination of this Agreement, the Custodian shall have no responsibility to so transmit any information under this Section 4.9.

SECTION 4.10.    LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. Each agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s performance of such obligations. At the Fund’s election, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Fund has not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.

SECTION 4.11    TAX LAW. The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the obligations imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of countries other than those mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of the Custodian with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which the Fund has provided such information.

SECTION 4.12.    LIABILITY OF CUSTODIAN. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in the Agreement and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities System, the Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.

 

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SECTION 5.    PAYMENTS FOR SALES OF SHARES.

The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the Transfer Agent and deposit into the Fund’s account such payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to the Fund and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of the Fund.

SECTION 6.     FOREIGN EXCHANGE.

6.1.    GENERALLY. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which for purposes of this section may also include security trade advices, the Custodian shall facilitate the processing and settlement of foreign exchange transactions. Such foreign exchange transactions do not constitute part of the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement.

6.2.    FUND ELECTIONS. The Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) may elect to enter into and execute foreign exchange transactions with third parties that are not affiliated with the Custodian, with State Street Global Markets, which is the foreign exchange division of State Street Bank and Trust Company and its affiliated companies (“SSGM”), or with a sub-custodian. Where the Fund or its Investment Advisor gives Proper Instructions for the execution of a foreign exchange transaction using an indirect foreign exchange service described in the Client Publications (as defined below), the Fund (or its Investment Advisor) instructs the Custodian, on behalf of the Fund, to direct the execution of such foreign exchange transaction to SSGM or, when the relevant currency is not traded by SSGM, to the applicable sub-custodian. The Custodian shall not have any agency (except as contemplated in preceding sentence), trust or fiduciary obligation to the Fund, its Investment Advisor or any other person in connection with the execution of any foreign exchange transaction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility under this Agreement for the selection of the counterparty to, or the method of execution of, any foreign exchange transaction entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) or the reasonableness of the execution rate on any such transaction. Client Publications means the general client publications of State Street Bank and Trust Company available from time to time available to clients and their investment managers.

6.3.    FUND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The Fund acknowledges that in connection with all foreign exchange transactions entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) with SSGM or any sub-custodian, SSGM and each such sub-custodian:

 

(i)

shall be acting in a principal capacity and not as broker, agent or fiduciary to the Fund or its Investment Advisor;

 

(ii)

shall seek to profit from such foreign exchange transactions, and are entitled to retain and not disclose any such profit to the Fund or its Investment Advisor; and

 

17


(iii)

shall enter into such foreign exchange transactions pursuant to the terms and conditions, including pricing or pricing methodology, (a) agreed with the Fund or its Investment Advisor from time to time or (b) in the case of an indirect foreign exchange service, (i) as established by SSGM and set forth in the Client Publications with respect to the particular foreign exchange execution services selected by the Fund or the Investment Advisor or (ii) as established by the sub-custodian from time to time.

6.4.    TRANSACTIONS BY STATE STREET. The Custodian or its affiliates, including SSGM, may trade based upon information that is not available to the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf), and may enter into transactions for its own account or the account of clients in the same or opposite direction to the transactions entered into with the Fund (or its Investment Manager), and shall have no obligation, under this Agreement, to share such information with or consider the interests of their respective counterparties, including, where applicable, the Fund or the Investment Advisor.

SECTION 7.    PROPER INSTRUCTIONS.

Proper Instructions, which may also be standing instructions, as used throughout this Agreement, shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from the Fund and signed by any two Authorized Persons (as defined below). Such instructions may be in writing signed by the Authorized Persons or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may be agreed to from time to time by the Custodian and the person or persons giving such instructions, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time to time by the Fund and the Custodian, including, but not limited to, the security procedures selected by the Fund in the Funds Transfer Addendum to this Agreement, the terms of which are hereby agreed to. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved. The Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing and signed by two Authorized Persons. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.9 of this Agreement. The Fund shall cause its duly authorized officer to certify to the Custodian in writing the names and specimen signatures of persons authorized to give Proper Instructions (“Authorized Persons”) in Schedule D attached hereto. The Custodian shall be entitled to rely upon the identity and authority of such persons until it receives notice from the Fund to the contrary.

SECTION 8.     ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY.

The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the Fund:

 

  1)

make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Agreement, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for and reported to the Fund;

 

  2)

surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form;

 

18


  3)

endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

 

  4)

in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Fund except as otherwise directed by the Board.

SECTION 9.    EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY.

The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the Fund. The Custodian may receive and accept a copy of a resolution of the Board, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund (“Certified Resolution”), as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action by the Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.

SECTION 10.    DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT AND UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENTS.

The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the Board to keep the books of account of the Fund. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of shares of a fund held by it on behalf of the Fund and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 10 and in Section 11 hereof; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent.

SECTION 11.     RECORDS.

The Custodian shall create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the 1940 Act, including Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at the Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by the Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with access to its statements and records electronically in accordance with the Remote Access Services Addendum attached hereto.

 

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SECTION 12.    REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.

The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities System (either, a “Securities System”), relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.

SECTION 13.     COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN.

The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.

SECTION 14.    RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN.

So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. The Custodian shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, including, without limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. The Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by anything that is part of Country Risk (as defined in Section 3 hereof), including without limitation nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, insolvency of a Foreign Sub-Custodian, acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism.

Except as may arise from the Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor in their

 

20


instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian’s sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (v) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, the Fund, the Custodian’s sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and (vii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction. The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.

If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form satisfactory to it.

If the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents advances cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement), or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, or if the Fund fails to compensate the Custodian pursuant to Section 13 hereof, any property at any time held for the account of the Fund shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of the Fund’s assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each of the Fund and the Custodian hereby agrees that in no event shall either the Fund or the Custodian be liable to the other party for indirect, special or consequential damages, or for any damages of a similar nature, provided, however, that the foregoing shall in no way limit the Custodian’s recovery relating to third party claims asserted against it and related fees and expenses for which indemnification is available hereunder.

SECTION 15.    EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.

This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or

 

21


mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation, and further provided, that the Fund may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction.

Upon termination of the Agreement, the Fund shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements. The provisions of Sections 4.11, 13 and 14 of this Agreement shall survive termination of this Agreement for any reason.

SECTION 16.    SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN.

If a successor custodian for the Fund shall be appointed by the Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of the Fund then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of the Fund held in a Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.

If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a Certified Resolution, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such resolution. Unless so directed by the Certified Resolution, in no event shall the Custodian deliver the securities, funds and other properties to the Fund.

In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or Certified Resolution shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian hereunder and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of the Fund, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the Fund’s securities held in any Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.

In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of the Fund to procure the Certified Resolution to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

 

22


SECTION 17.    INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS.

In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.

SECTION 18.    MASSACHUSETTS LAW TO APPLY.

This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

SECTION 19.    ASSIGNMENT.

This Agreement may not be assigned by (a) the Fund without the written consent of the Custodian or (b) by the Custodian without the written consent of the Fund.

SECTION 20.    PRIOR AGREEMENTS.

This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior Agreements between the Fund and the Custodian relating to the custody of the Fund’s assets.

SECTION 21.    NOTICES.

Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.

 

To the Fund:   OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP. II
 

399 Park Avenue, 38th Floor

New York, NY 10022

  Attention: Bryan Cole
  Telephone: (212) 419-3035
  Email:bryan.cole@blueowl.com

 

23


To the Custodian:   STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
 

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

  Boston, MA 02111-2900
  Attention: Bhagesh Malde, Senior Vice President
 

Telephone: (617) 664-4112

Email: BMalde@statestreet.com

Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence of posting.

SECTION 22.    COUNTERPARTS.

This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 23.    SEVERABILITY.

Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

SECTION 24.    CONFIDENTIALITY.

All information provided under this Agreement by a party to this Agreement (the “Disclosing Party”) to the other party to this Agreement (the “Receiving Party”) regarding the Disclosing Party’s business and operations shall be treated as confidential. Subject to Section 25 below, all confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Party’s other obligations under the Agreement or managing the business of the Receiving Party and its affiliates, including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any legal or regulatory proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative demand or other similar process, (d) that is disclosed as required by operation of law or

 

24


regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Custodian or its affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement), or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

SECTION 25.     USE OF DATA.

(a)    In connection with the provision of the services and the discharge of its other obligations under this Agreement, the Custodian (which term for purposes of this Section 25 includes each of its parent company, branches and affiliates (“Affiliates”)) may collect and store information regarding the Fund and share such information with its Affiliates, agents and service providers in order and to the extent reasonably necessary (i) to carry out the provision of services contemplated under this Agreement and other agreements between the Fund and the Custodian or any of its Affiliates and (ii) to carry out management of its businesses, including, but not limited to, financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management.

(b)    Subject to paragraph (c) below, the Custodian and/or its Affiliates (except those Affiliates or business divisions principally engaged in the business of asset management) may use any data or other information (“Data”) obtained by such entities in the performance of their services under this Agreement or any other agreement between the Fund and the Custodian or one of its Affiliates, including Data regarding transactions and portfolio holdings relating to the Fund, and publish, sell, distribute or otherwise commercialize the Data. The initial use of Data by the Custodian is publication of research that quantifies the flow of investment funds into various markets or investments. Before using Data in any other services or reports, the Custodian will notify the Fund of such proposed service or report and provide the Fund thirty 30 days in which to evaluate the proposed use of Data. Such other services may not require the aggregation of data but any published information will be displayed in a manner designed to prevent attribution to or identification of such Data with the Fund. If within such thirty 30 day period the Fund notifies the Custodian that it objects to the use of Data in such product or service, this consent will not apply to use of Data in such product or service unless and until the Fund otherwise advises the Custodian. The Fund agrees that Custodian and/or its Affiliates may seek to profit and realize economic benefit from the commercialization and use of the Data, that such benefit will constitute part of the Custodian’s compensation for services under this Agreement or such other agreement, and the Custodian and/or its Affiliates shall be entitled to retain and not be required to disclose the amount of such economic benefit and profit to the Fund.

(c)    Except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, nothing in this Section 25 shall limit the confidentiality and data-protection obligations of the Custodian and its Affiliates under this Agreement and applicable law. The Custodian shall cause any Affiliate, agent or service provider to which it has disclosed Data pursuant to this Section 25 to comply at all times with confidentiality and data-protection obligations as if it were a party to this Agreement.

 

25


SECTION 26.    REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS.

This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

SECTION 27.    REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM.

The Custodian and the Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum attached hereto.

SECTION 28.    REGULATION GG.

The Fund hereby represents and warrants that it does not engage in an “Internet gambling business,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(r) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG (12 CFR 233) (“Regulation GG”). The Fund hereby covenants and agrees that it shall not engage in an Internet gambling business. In accordance with Regulation GG, the Fund is hereby notified that “restricted transactions,” as such term is defined in Section 233.2(y) of Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party hereto.

SECTION 29.    DATA PRIVACY.

The Custodian will implement and maintain a written information security program that contains appropriate security measures to safeguard the personal information of the Fund’s shareholders, employees, directors and/or officers that the Custodian receives, stores, maintains, processes or otherwise accesses in connection with the provision of services hereunder. For these purposes, “personal information” shall mean (i) an individual’s name (first initial and last name or first name and last name), address or telephone number plus (a) social security number, (b) drivers license number, (c) state identification card number, (d) debit or credit card number, (e) financial account number or (f) personal identification number or password that would permit access to a person’s account or (ii) any combination of the foregoing that would allow a person to log onto or access an individual’s account. Notwithstanding the foregoing “personal information” shall not include information that is lawfully obtained from publicly available information, or from federal, state or local government records lawfully made available to the general public.

SECTION 30.     LOAN SERVICES ADDENDUM.

In the event the Fund directs Custodian in writing to perform loan services, Custodian and the Fund hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Loan Services Addendum attached hereto and the Fund shall reimburse Custodian for its fees and expenses related thereto as agreed upon from time to time in writing by the Fund and Custodian.

 

26


SECTION 31.    SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION.

SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide the Fund’s name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If the Fund tells the Custodian “no”, the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If the Fund tells the Custodian “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For the Fund’s protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

 

YES [    ]    The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.
NO   [X]    The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

27


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative under seal as of the date first above-written.

 

OWL ROCK TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP.II
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


SCHEDULE A

SEE ATTACHED.


SCHEDULE B

SEE ATTACHED.


SCHEDULE C

SEE ATTACHED.


SCHEDULE D

SEE ATTACHED.

[attach FTTOP]

EX-10.6 10 d250734dex106.htm EX-10.6 EX-10.6

Exhibit 10.6

LICENSE AGREEMENT

This LICENSE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and effective as of December 1, 2021 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Owl Rock Capital Group LLC (the “Licensor”), a Delaware limited partnership, and Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II, a Maryland corporation (the “Licensee”) (each a “party,” and collectively, the “parties”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Licensor has certain common law rights in the trade name “Owl Rock” (the “Licensed Name”);

WHEREAS, Licensor has registered the Licensed Name as a trademark in the United States;

WHEREAS, the Licensee is a closed-end management investment company that intends to elect to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2021, by and between the Owl Rock Technology Advisors II LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Licensee (the “Advisory Agreement”), the Licensee has engaged the Adviser to act as the investment adviser to the Licensee;

WHEREAS, the Adviser is an indirect subsidiary of the Licensor; and

WHEREAS, the Licensee desires to use the Licensed Name in connection with the operation of its business, and the Licensor is willing to permit the Licensee to use the Licensed Name, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

LICENSE GRANT

1.1 License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Licensor hereby grants to the Licensee, and the Licensee hereby accepts from Licensor, a personal, non-exclusive, royalty-free right and license to use the Licensed Name solely and exclusively as an element of the Licensee’s own company name and in connection with the conduct of its business. Except as provided above, neither the Licensee nor any affiliate, owner, director, officer, employee, or agent thereof shall otherwise use the Licensed Name or any derivative thereof without the prior express written consent of the Licensor to be provided in Licensor’s sole and absolute discretion. All rights not expressly granted to the Licensee hereunder shall remain the exclusive property of Licensor.

1.2 Licensor’s Use. Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Licensor, its affiliates, or any of its respective successors or assigns from using or permitting other entities to use the Licensed Name whether or not such entity directly or indirectly competes or conflicts with the Licensee’s business in any manner.

ARTICLE 2

OWNERSHIP

2.1 Ownership. The Licensee acknowledges and agrees that Licensor is the owner of all right, title, and interest in and to the Licensed Name, and all such right, title, and interest shall remain with the Licensor. The Licensee shall not otherwise contest, dispute, or challenge Licensor’s right, title, and interest in and to the Licensed Name.


2.2 Goodwill. All goodwill and reputation generated by Licensee’s use of the Licensed Name shall inure to the benefit of Licensor. The Licensee shall not by any act or omission use the Licensed Name in any manner that disparages or reflects adversely on Licensor or its business or reputation. Except as expressly provided herein, neither party may use any trademark or service mark of the other party without that party’s prior written consent, which consent shall be given or withheld in that party’s sole discretion.

ARTICLE 3

COMPLIANCE

3.1 Quality Control. In order to preserve the inherent value of the Licensed Name, the Licensee agrees to use reasonable efforts to ensure that it maintains the quality of the Licensee’s business and the operation thereof equal to the standards prevailing in the operation of the Licensor’s and the Licensee’s business as of the date of this Agreement. The Licensee further agrees to use the Licensed Name in accordance with such quality standards as may be reasonably established by Licensor and communicated to the Licensee from time to time in writing, or as may be agreed to by Licensor and the Licensee from time to time in writing.

3.2 Compliance With Laws. The Licensee agrees that the business operated by it in connection with the Licensed Name shall comply in all material respects with all laws, rules, regulations, and requirements of any governmental body in the United States of America (the “Territory”) or elsewhere as may be applicable to the operation, advertising, and promotion of the business, and that it shall notify Licensor of any action that must be taken by the Licensee to comply with such law, rules, regulations, or requirements.

3.3 Notification of Infringement. Each party shall immediately notify the other party and provide to the other party all relevant background facts upon becoming aware of (i) any registrations of, or applications for registration of, marks in the Territory that do or may conflict with the Licensed Name, and (ii) any infringements, imitations, or illegal use or misuse of the Licensed Name in the Territory.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

4.1 Mutual Representations. Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party as follows:

(a) Due Authorization. Such party is duly formed and in good standing as of the Effective Date, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such party.

(b) Due Execution. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such party and, with due authorization, execution, and delivery by the other party, constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms.

(c) No Conflict. Such party’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement does not: (i) violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any provision of the organizational documents of such party; (ii) conflict with or violate any law or governmental order applicable to such party or any of its assets, properties, or businesses; or (iii) conflict with, result in any breach of, constitute a default (or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both, would become a default) under, require any consent under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration, suspension, revocation, or cancellation of any contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, permit, franchise, or other instrument or arrangement to which it is a party.

ARTICLE 5

TERM AND TERMINATION

5.1 Term. This Agreement shall remain in effect only for so long as an affiliate of the Licensor remains the Licensee’s investment adviser.

 

2


5.2 Upon Termination. Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement, all rights granted to the Licensee under this Agreement with respect to the Licensed Name shall cease, and the Licensee shall immediately discontinue use of the Licensed Name.

ARTICLE 6

MISCELLANEOUS

6.1 Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Neither party may assign, delegate, or otherwise transfer this Agreement or any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that the Licensor may assign this Agreement to an affiliate without Licensee’s consent. No assignment by either party permitted hereunder shall relieve the applicable party of its obligations under this Agreement. Any assignment by either party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement shall be pursuant to a written assignment agreement in which the assignee expressly assumes the assigning party’s rights and obligations hereunder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the rights and obligations of the Licensee under this Agreement shall be deemed to be assigned to a newly-formed entity in the event of the merger of the Licensee into, or conveyance of all of the assets of the Licensee to, such newly-formed entity; provided, further, however, that the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the Licensee’s legal form into another limited liability entity.

6.2 Independent Contractor. This Agreement does not give any party, or permit any party to represent that it has any power, right, or authority to bind the other party to any obligation or liability, or to assume or create any obligation or liability on behalf of the other party.

6.3 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands, and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made (and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made upon receipt) by delivery in person, by overnight courier service (with signature required), by facsimile, or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the other party at its principal office.

6.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts formed and to be performed entirely within the State of New York, without regarding the conflicts of law principles or rules thereof to the extent such principles would require or permit the application of the laws of another jurisdiction. The parties unconditionally and irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in the State of New York and waive any objection with respect thereto, for the purpose of any action, suit, or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

6.5 Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by all parties hereto.

6.6 No Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce at any time for any period the provisions of or any rights deriving from this Agreement shall not be construed to be a waiver of such provisions or rights or the right of such party thereafter to enforce such provisions, and no waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties hereto.

6.7 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any law or public policy, all other terms and provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially adverse to any party. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the parties as closely as possible in an acceptable manner in order that the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated as originally contemplated to the greatest extent possible.

 

3


6.8 Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

6.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument. Any party may deliver an executed copy of this Agreement and of any documents contemplated hereby by facsimile or other electronic transmission to another party and such delivery shall have the same force and effect as any other delivery of a manually signed copy of this Agreement or of such other documents.

6.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to such subject matter.

6.11 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, either express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any third party any legal or equitable right, benefit, or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each party has caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date by its duly authorized officer.

 

LICENSOR:
Owl Rock Capital Group LLC
By:  

/s/ Neena Reddy

  Name: Neena Reddy
  Title:   General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer
LICENSEE:
Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp. II
By:  

/s/ Jonathan Lamm

  Name: Jonathan Lamm
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 

5

EX-99.1 11 d250734dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

CODE OF ETHICS - PERSONAL ACCOUNT DEALING

 

 

I. Entities Covered by This Policy

 

   

The “Blue Owl Advisers”:

 

  (1)

Owl Rock Capital Advisors LLC

 

  (2)

Owl Rock Private Fund Advisors LLC

 

  (3)

Owl Rock Technology Advisors LLC

 

  (4)

Owl Rock Diversified Advisors LLC

 

  (5)

Dyal Advisors LLC

 

  (6)

Dyal IV Advisors LLC

 

   

The “Owl Rock BDCs”:

 

  (1)

Owl Rock Capital Corporation

 

  (2)

Owl Rock Capital Corporation II

 

  (3)

Owl Rock Core Income Corp

 

  (4)

Owl Rock Capital Corporation Ill

 

  (5)

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp

 

   

Blue Owl Securities LLC (collectively with the Blue Owl Advisers and Owl Rock BDCs, the “Companies”).

II. Purpose of These Policies and Procedures

Each of the Blue Owl Advisers, as investment advisers registered with the SEC, and each of the Owl Rock BDCs, as funds that have elected to be regulated as business development companies, are required by applicable rules and regulations to adopt a Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics must set forth standards of conduct expected by Access Persons, as defined below, of the Blue Owl Advisers and the Owl Rock BDCs and address conflicts of interest that may arise between the Blue Owl Advisers and Owl Rock BDCs and their respective employees, including those that may arise from personal securities transactions by employees. Owl Rock Securities, as the Owl Rock BDCs’ affiliated principal underwriter, and its employees are also subject to these requirements.

It is the Companies’ policy that you may not, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, of any security held or to be acquired by any client who has entered into an investment management agreement with the Companies:

 

   

employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud a client;

 

   

make any untrue statement of a material fact to a client or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to a client, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

 

   

engage in an act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on a client; or

 

   

engage in any manipulative practice with respect to a client.

Each of the Owl Rock BDCs has adopted this Code of Ethics, which contains provisions it deems reasonably appropriate to prevent those of its affiliated persons who are Access Persons from engaging in any of these prohibited acts. In addition, this policy constitutes the code of ethics for the Owl Rock BDCs pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act.

 

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Ill. Scope

This policy governs the personal securities transactions of Access Persons. Access Persons include:

 

   

employees of the Companies;

 

   

officers and directors (including non-interested directors, as indicated) of the Owl Rock BDCs; and

 

   

in certain circumstances, consultants and temporary employees of the aforementioned entities.

A complete definition of “Access Persons” is included in Appendix A of this policy.

This policy also governs securities transactions in accounts over which Access Persons exercise discretion or control. This will typically include, but is not necessarily limited to, trades effected in accounts of the following:

 

   

your spouse or civil partner, dependent children or step-children (whether or not minors), living in your home as well as any other member of your household;

 

   

legal entities in which you have an interest exceeding 20%;

 

   

any other person whose relationship with you is such that you have a direct or indirect material interest in the outcome of the trade; and

 

   

accounts where you act as trustee, personal representative or agent.

The Compliance Department is available to answer any questions you may have regarding whether an account or holding/transaction within an account needs to be reported.

The Companies’ general policy is that all brokerage accounts should be disclosed, including those managed on behalf of an Access Person on a discretionary basis by a third party. Depending on the facts and circumstances of each account, you may not need to report transactions or holdings in one or more of your brokerage accounts. In all cases, however, any such determination will ultimately be made by the applicable CCO or her designee.

IV. Risk Considerations

In developing this Code of Ethics, the Companies considered the material risks associated with failing to implement and comply with the Code of Ethics requirements under applicable law, which may include severe legal and regulatory penalties as well as reputational risks related to conflicted trading activity.

V. Policies Relating to Your Personal Account Dealing1

 

Reporting Requirements   
Holdings Reports (Initial and Annual)    Within 10 days after you have commenced
   employment with the Companies and annually
   thereafter, you must submit a list of brokerage
   accounts and securities holdings current as of a date

 

1 

Please note, Blue Owl Securities LLC employees may be subject to more stringent requirements. Please refer to the Blue Owl Securities LLC Written Supervisory Procedures for additional requirements.

 

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Reporting Requirements   
  

no more than forty-five days prior to your date of hire or the date of the annual report, as applicable. This reporting is done via Comply Sci. 2 A list of information required to be included in these reports is included in Appendix A.

 

Note- Non-interested directors of the Owl Rock BDCs need not submit holdings reports.

New Account Reporting   

You must report new accounts in which any securities were held during the quarter. This report must contain:

 

•  the name of the broker, dealer or bank with which you have established the account;

 

•  the date the account was established; and

 

•  the date that report is submitted to the Compliance Department.

 

This reporting is done via Comply Sci.

 

Note- New accounts may only be opened at brokerage firms that have a reporting relationship with Comply Sci. For a complete list, please contact a member of the Compliance Department for assistance.

Quarterly Reporting of Activity   

You must report, within thirty days of the end of the calendar quarter, a list of transactions in reportable securities even if not executed through a broker-dealer or subject to preclearance in which you have or had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership (defined in Appendix A below) during the quarter. This reporting is done via Comply Sci. 3 A list of information required to be included in these reports is included in Appendix A.

 

Note- Non-interested directors of the Owl Rock BDCs need not submit a quarterly transaction report, unless the non-interested director knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties

 

2 

In the event that the Companies cannot establish a direct feed with your broker(s), you will be required to manually input this information into Comply Sci. The Compliance Department may periodically request brokerage statements for these accounts for testing purposes.

3 

In the event that the Companies cannot establish a direct feed with your broker(s), you will be required to manually input this information into Comply Sci. The Compliance Department may periodically request brokerage statements for these accounts for testing purposes.

 

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Reporting Requirements   
   as a director, should have known that during the fifteen (15) day period immediately before or after such non-interested director’s transaction in a security, the Owl Rock BDC purchased or sold the security or the Owl Rock BDC considered purchasing or selling the security.
Initial and Annual Certifications   

At time of hire and annually thereafter, you will be requested to certify to your receipt of and intent to comply with this Code of Ethics.

 

You must also certify annually that you have read and understood the Code of Ethics and recognize that you are subject to the Code of Ethics. In addition, you must certify annually that you have complied with the requirements of the Code of Ethics and that you have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Ethics.

 

This reporting is done via Comply Sci.

Disclaimer of Beneficial Ownership    You may at any time or from time to time deliver to the CCO a statement that your submission of any report hereunder or the delivery on your behalf of any duplicate account statement or information required under this Code of Ethics shall not be construed as an admission by you that you have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report or duplicate account statement or information relates.
Trading Requirements   

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all possible types of securities transactions but is presented here as a guideline for employees who wish to trade securities in their personal accounts. If you are not sure whether preclearance is required prior to effecting a trade or whether accounts or particular trades/holdings in an account need to be reported, you must speak to a member of the Compliance Department prior to effecting the trade.

 

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Where preclearance is indicated in the chart below, preclearance must be requested through Comply Sci and it will be valid for five (5) business days from the day that approval was granted. If preclearance approval is not granted, you are not permitted to engage in the proposed transaction and should direct any further inquiries to the CCO.4

 

Transaction Type

  

Pre-trade requirements*

  

Reporting Required

Purchase of publicly traded securities not covered by any of the requirements enumerated below (e.g., single name exchange traded securities, fixed income securities)   

Securities with a market cap of less than $15 billion = Transaction not permitted.

 

Securities with a market cap of more than $15 billion = Preclearance required. Transactions may only be effected in accounts that have a reporting relationship with Comply Sci.

   Yes
Sale of publicly traded securities not covered by any of the requirements enumerated below (e.g., single name exchange traded securities, fixed income securities)    Preclearance required.    Yes
Shares issued by money market or open-end mutual funds registered pursuant to the 1940 Act    No requirements prior to trade.    No
Shares issued by publicly offered real estate investment trusts (REITS), unit investment trusts, exchange traded funds (ETFs) or closed end funds registered pursuant to the 1940 Act other than private or exchange traded BDCs    No requirements prior to trade.    Yes
Investments in 529 Plans    No requirements prior to trade.    No
Trading in shares of Blue Owl Capital, Inc. (NYSE:OWL)    Any trading in OWL is typically only permitted once a quarter during a time designated by the CCO or General Counsel. Refer to the Insider Trading Policy - Transactions in Blue Owl Securities for further discussion on policies and procedures relating to trading in OWL.    Yes

 

4 

An employee cannot preclear trades in his or her personal account or review his or her own reports submitted under this policy. Such approvals, preclearance and reviews are to be completed by other employees with guidance from the CCO. The CFO or General Counsel will review and waive or preclear requests or reports submitted under these policies by the CCO.

 

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Transaction Type

  

Pre-trade requirements*

  

Reporting Required

Trading securities of any publicly listed Owl Rock BDC   

Any trading in a publicly listed Owl Rock BDC is typically only permitted once a quarter during a time designated by the CCO or General Counsel.

 

Unless you are an officer or director of one of the publicly listed Owl Rock BDCs preapproval is not required. If, for any reason, you believe that you may have material nonpublic information about a publicly listed Owl Rock BDC, you should speak to the CCO or General Counsel prior to effecting any trades.

 

Refer to the Insider Trading Policy - Transactions in ORCC Securities for further discussion on policies and procedures relating to trading in publicly listed Owl Rock BDCs.

   Yes
Direct investments in a private fund (including private BDCs) sponsored by the Companies or their affiliates    Preclearance required (blanket preclearance provided for purchases of funds sponsored by the Companies or their affiliates).    Yes
Direct investments in a private (limited) offering   

Preclearance required. Approval, if granted, is valid for 120 days, unless specifically specified otherwise.

 

Please note that the Companies do not typically permit employees to invest in private offerings that have been considered and then rejected for investment by clients.

 

Additional procedures are required for investments in private offerings where the sponsor of the private offering does business with the Companies and their affiliates.

   Yes
Investments in non-listed closed-end funds, including BDCs (other than Owl Rock non-listed BDCs) and private REITS   

Preclearance required.

 

Please note this type of transaction will generally not be approved.

   Yes

 

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Transaction Type

  

Pre-trade requirements*

  

Reporting Required

State, municipal and local government securities    No requirements prior to trade.    Yes
Direct obligations of the US government, commercial paper, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances or high-quality short-term debt instruments    No requirements prior to trade.    No
Initial Public Offering    Transaction not permitted.    N/A
Transactions between you and a Blue Owl Client    Transaction not permitted.    N/A
Transactions in accounts where you do not have direct or indirect influence or control, such as those managed for you by a third party; provided that there is no communication or influence regarding the securities being purchased or sold between you and the portfolio manager prior to the transaction    No requirements prior to trade.   

No

 

You must report the account in Comply Sci and make a note that discretion has been provided to a third party.

 

Quarterly, you will be required to provide us with information regarding this relationship.

 

In addition, at least once each calendar year at a time chosen by the Compliance Department, you will be required to provide us with (1) a certification from the manager that the account is managed by them on a fully discretionary basis and (2) if not already provided through a direct feed in Comply Sci or duplicate brokerage statements, a listing of trades that occurred in that account during a period of time of Compliance’s choosing

Transactions that are part of an automatic investment plan such as a dividend reinvestment plan, employee stock purchase plan etc.    No requirements prior to trade.   

1.  You must report the DRIP or ESOP account in Comply Sci and make note of the type of account

 

2.  Individual transactions in these accounts do not need to be reported.

 

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Transaction Type

  

Pre-trade requirements*

  

Reporting Required

Transactions that are non-

volitional, such as stock splits, mergers etc.

   No requirements prior to trade.    Yes

 

*

Note: These pre-trade requirements do not apply to transactions made in accounts over which you do not have direct or indirect influence or control. Such accounts must be disclosed to the Compliance Department and the CCO or her designee will affirmatively determine whether this exception is available before an Access Person may rely on it.

VI. Restricted List

From time to time, the CCO may place certain securities on the Restricted List.5

You may not trade in securities on the Restricted List for your personal account or accounts managed by you on behalf of others, unless specific approval has been received from the CCO. In addition, at times, the Restricted List may also contain prohibitions, restrictions and limitation on trading for accounts managed by the Companies.

VII. Compliance Reporting Requirements under the 1940 Act

No less frequently than annually, the CCO of each Owl Rock BDC must review this policy and the effectiveness of its implementation, and furnish to each Owl Rock BDC’s Board, and the Board must consider, a written report that:

 

   

describes any issues arising under the Code or procedures since the last report to the Board, including but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and

 

   

certifies that the Owl Rock BDCs have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code.

VIII. Reporting a Violation

You are required to ensure that you do not violate this policy. You are expected to use good judgment in recognizing situations where a violation of this policy may occur and to ensure that no violations occur.

The Companies may take disciplinary action against you if you violate this policy, up to and including suspension or termination of employment at the discretion of the Companies’ management.

In addition to ensuring that you do not violate this policy, you are encouraged to report any concerns you may have under this policy to the CCO.

 

5 

At this time, the Companies do not publish the Restricted List. Please contact a member of the Compliance Department for additional information.

 

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CODE OF ETHICS - PERSONAL ACCOUNT DEALING

 

 

 

No officer, director or employee of the Companies or their affiliates may retaliate in any fashion against you if you report a suspected or actual violation of this policy in good faith. Making a report in “good faith” generally means that you have a reasonable and genuine belief that the information you are providing relates to a possible violation of law or this policy, regardless of whether the report turns out to be founded.

IX. Sanctions

Upon determination that a violation of this Code of Ethics has occurred, the Companies, as appropriate, may impose such sanctions as they deem appropriate, including, among other things, a memorandum of warning, a ban on personal trading or a suspension or termination of the employment of the violator. Where applicable, violations of this Code of Ethics and any sanctions imposed with respect thereto shall be reported in a timely manner to the applicable Board(s) of Directors (including as necessary, the boards of the Owl Rock BDCs or of Blue Owl Capital Inc.).

X. Books and Records

The books and records required to be maintained under this policy are listed in the Books and Records Requirements - Record Retention Policy under the section covering Personnel Supervision records.

 

Change History- Revision Review Dates
March 2016 (adopted)    May 2021   
August 2018      
August 2020      

 

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CODE OF ETHICS - PERSONAL ACCOUNT DEALING - APPENDIX A

 

 

 

Definitions

Access Person means:

 

   

any director, employee, officer, general partner, member or partner of the Owl Rock BDCs or the Blue Owl Advisers;

 

   

any director, officer or employee of the Owl Rock BDCs or the Blue Owl Advisers (or any company in a control relationship to the Owl Rock BDCs or the Blue Owl Adviser), who in connection with his or her regular functions or duties makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of any reportable security by the Owl Rock BDCs, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendation with respect to such purchases or sales;

 

   

any supervised person who has access to nonpublic information regarding any Owl Rock BDC’s purchase or sale of securities or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any Company, or who is involved in making securities recommendations to Owl Rock BDCs or has access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; and

 

   

any natural person in a control relationship to the Owl Rock BDCs or the Blue Owl Advisers who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Owl Rock BDCs with regard to the purchase or sale of any reportable security by the Owl Rock BDCs.

Beneficial ownership means, in general, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, directly or indirectly having or sharing a pecuniary interest in a security. A pecuniary interest generally includes any opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the subject securities, and also includes interests of members of a person’s immediate family (i.e., any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, inclusive of adoptive relationships) sharing the same household, or by certain partnerships, trusts, corporations, or other arrangements.

Holdings Reports

The following information must be included in your initial and annual holdings reports:

A - for each security in which you have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:

 

   

the title and type of security,

AND, AS APPLICABLE,

 

   

the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number,

 

   

number of shares, and

 

   

principal amount of each reportable security;

B - the name of any broker, dealer or bank with which you maintain an account in which any securities are held for your direct or indirect benefit; and

C - the date you have submitted the report to compliance.

 

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CODE OF ETHICS - PERSONAL ACCOUNT DEALING - APPENDIX A

 

 

 

Quarterly Personal Securities Transaction Reporting

The following information must, at a minimum, be included for each transaction involving a reportable security in which you had, or as a result of the transaction acquired, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership during the quarter:

A - the date of the transaction;

B - the title of the security and, as applicable,

 

   

the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number,

 

   

interest rate and maturity date,

 

   

number of shares, and

 

   

principal amount of each reportable security involved;

C - the nature of the transactions, i.e., purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or disposition;

D - the price of the reportable security at which the transaction was effected;

E - the name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and

F - the date you have submitted the report to compliance.

 

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