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Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

(3) Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of our financial statements:

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Although we believe the estimates and assumptions used in preparing these financial statements and related notes are reasonable in light of known facts and circumstances, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Valuation of Investments—For most of our investments, market quotations are not available. With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available or when such market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value, our Board has approved a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

Each portfolio company or investment is reviewed by our investment professionals;

With respect to investments with a fair value exceeding $2.5 million that have been held for more than one year, we engage independent valuation firms to assist our investment professionals. These independent valuation firms conduct independent valuations and make their own independent assessments;

Our Management produces a report that summarizes each of our portfolio investments and recommends a fair value of each such investment as of the date of the report;

The Audit Committee of our Board reviews and discusses the preliminary valuation of our portfolio investments as recommended by Management in their report and any reports or recommendations of the independent valuation firms, and then approves and recommends the fair values of our investments so determined to our Board for final approval; and

The Board discusses valuations and determines the fair value of each portfolio investment in good faith based on the input of our Management, the respective independent valuation firm, as applicable, and the Audit Committee.

During the first twelve months after an investment is made, we rely on the original investment amount to determine the fair value unless significant developments have occurred during this twelve-month period which would indicate a material effect on the portfolio company (such as results of operations or changes in general market conditions).

Investments are valued utilizing various methodologies and approaches, including a yield analysis, enterprise value (“EV”) analysis, net asset value analysis, liquidation analysis, discounted cash flow analysis, or a combination of methods, as appropriate. The yield analysis uses loan spreads and other relevant information implied by market data involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. Under the EV analysis, the EV of a portfolio company is first determined and allocated over the portfolio company’s securities in order of their preference relative to one another (i.e., “waterfall” allocation). To determine the EV, we typically use a market multiples approach that considers relevant and applicable market trading data of guideline public companies, transaction metrics from precedent M&A transactions and/or a discounted cash flow analysis. The net asset value analysis is used to derive a value of an underlying investment (such as real estate property) by dividing a relevant earnings stream by an appropriate capitalization rate. For this purpose, we consider capitalization rates for similar properties as may be obtained from guideline public companies and/or relevant transactions. The liquidation analysis is intended to approximate the net recovery value of an investment based on, among other things, assumptions regarding liquidation proceeds based on a hypothetical liquidation of a portfolio company’s assets. The discounted cash flow analysis uses valuation techniques to convert future cash flows or earnings to a range of fair values from which a single estimate may be derived utilizing an appropriate discount rate. The measurement is based on the net present value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts.

In estimating the fair value of our interest in Equus Energy, we have given more emphasis to a market approach that examines developed and undeveloped reserves and mineral acreage values, as well as a market approach that examines comparable industry transactions involving oil and gas assets in proximity to the leasehold interests held by Equus Energy. Our management received advice and assistance from a third-party valuation firm to support our determination of the fair value of this investment.

In applying these methodologies, additional factors that we consider in fair value pricing our investments may include, as we deem relevant: security covenants, call protection provisions, and information rights; the nature and realizable value of any collateral; the portfolio company’s ability to make payments; the principal markets in which the portfolio company does business; publicly available financial ratios of peer companies; the principal market; and enterprise values, among other factors. Also, any failure by a portfolio company to achieve its business plan or obtain and maintain its financing arrangements could result in increased volatility and result in a significant and rapid change in its value.

Our general intent is to hold our loans to maturity when appraising our privately held debt investments. As such, we believe that the fair value will not exceed the cost of the investment. However, in addition to the previously described analysis involving allocation of value to the debt instrument, we perform a yield analysis assuming a hypothetical current sale of the security to determine if a debt security has been impaired. The yield analysis considers changes in interest rates and changes in leverage levels of the portfolio company as compared to the market interest rates and leverage levels. Assuming the credit quality of the portfolio company remains stable, the Fund will use the value determined by the yield analysis as the fair value for that security if less than the cost of the investment.

We record unrealized depreciation on investments when we determine that the fair value of a security is less than its cost basis, and will record unrealized appreciation when we determine that the fair value is greater than its cost basis.

Fair Value Measurement—Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and sets out a fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Inputs are broadly defined as assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

Level 3—Inputs are unobservable for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The inputs into the determination of fair value are based upon the best information under the circumstances and may require significant management judgment or estimation.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

Investments for which prices are not observable are generally private investments in the debt and equity securities of operating companies. A primary valuation method used to estimate the fair value of these Level 3 investments is the discounted cash flow method (although a liquidation analysis, option theoretical, or other methodology may be used when more appropriate). The discounted cash flow approach to determine fair value (or a range of fair values) involves applying an appropriate discount rate(s) to the estimated future cash flows using various relevant factors depending on investment type, including comparing the latest arm’s length or market transactions involving the subject security to the selected benchmark credit spread, assumed growth rate (in cash flows), and capitalization rates/multiples (for determining terminal values of underlying portfolio companies). The valuation based on the inputs determined to be the most reasonable and probable is used as the fair value of the investment. In the case of our investment in Equus Energy, we also examine acreage values in comparable transactions and assess the impact upon the working interests held by Equus Energy. The determination of fair value using these methodologies may take into consideration a range of factors including, but not limited to, the price at which the investment was acquired, the nature of the investment, local market conditions, trading values on public exchanges for comparable securities, current and projected operating performance, financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment and anticipated financing transactions after the valuation date.

To assess the reasonableness of the discounted cash flow approach, the fair value of equity securities, including warrants, in portfolio companies may also consider the market approach—that is, through analyzing and applying to the underlying portfolio companies, market valuation multiples of publicly-traded firms engaged in businesses similar to those of the portfolio companies. The market approach to determining the fair value of a portfolio company’s equity security (or securities) will typically involve: (1) applying to the portfolio company’s trailing twelve months (or current year projected) EBITDA a low to high range of enterprise value to EBITDA multiples that are derived from an analysis of publicly-traded comparable companies, in order to arrive at a range of enterprise values for the portfolio company; (2) subtracting from the range of calculated enterprise values the outstanding balances of any debt or equity securities that would be senior in right of payment to the equity securities we hold; and (3) multiplying the range of equity values derived therefrom by our ownership share of such equity tranche in order to arrive at a range of fair values for our equity security (or securities). Application of these valuation methodologies involves a significant degree of judgment by Management.

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of Level 3 investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that may ultimately be received or settled. Further, such investments are generally subject to legal and other restrictions or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded instruments. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we might realize significantly less than the value at which such investment had previously been recorded. With respect to Level 3 investments, where sufficient market quotations are not readily available or for which no or an insufficient number of indicative prices from pricing services or brokers or dealers have been received, we undertake, on a quarterly basis, our valuation process as described above.

We assess the levels of the investments at each measurement date, and transfers between levels are recognized on the subsequent measurement date closest in time to the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. There were no transfers among Level 1, 2 and 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021.

As of March 31, 2022, investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based on the lowest level of significant input to the valuations:

			Fair Value Measurements as of March 31, 2022
*(in thousands)*	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Investments:
Control investments	$	15,000	$	—	$	—	$	15,000
Total investments		15,000		—		—		15,000
Temporary cash investments		3,000		3,000		—		—
Total investments and temporary cash investments	$	18,000	$	3,000	$	—	$	15,000

As of December 31, 2021, investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized in the tables below based on the lowest level of significant input to the valuations:

			Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2021
*(in thousands)*	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Investments:
Control investments	$	13,000	$	—	$	—	$	13,000
Total investments		13,000		—		—		13,000
Temporary cash investments		2,500		2,500		—		—
Total investments and temporary cash investments	$	15,500	$	2,500	$	—	$	13,000

The following table provides a reconciliation of fair value changes during the three months ended March 31, 2022 for all investments for which we determine fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors:

	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
*(in thousands)*	Control Investments		Affiliate Investments		Non-affiliate Investments		Total
Fair value as of January 1, 2022	$	13,000	$	—	$	—	$	13,000
Change in unrealized appreciation		2,000		—		—		2,000
Fair value as of March 31, 2022	$	15,000	$	—	$	—	$	15,000

The following table provides a reconciliation of fair value changes during the three months ended March 31, 2021 for all investments for which we determine fair value using unobservable (Level 3) factors:

	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
*(in thousands)*	Control Investments		Affiliate Investments		Non-affiliate Investments		Total
Fair value as of January 1, 2021	$	7,000	$	—	$	—	$	7,000
Change in unrealized appreciation		1,500		—		—		1,500
Fair value as of March 31, 2021	$	8,500	$	—	$	—	$	8,500

Our investment portfolio is not composed of homogeneous debt and equity securities that can be valued with a small number of inputs. Instead, the majority of our investment portfolio is composed of complex debt and equity securities with distinct contract terms and conditions. As such, our valuation of each investment in our portfolio is unique and complex, often factoring in numerous different inputs, including historical and forecasted financial and operational performance of the portfolio company, project cash flows, market multiples comparable market transactions, the priority of our securities compared with those of other investors, credit risk, interest rates, independent valuations and reviews and other inputs.

The following table summarizes the significant non-observable inputs in the fair value measurements of our Level 3 investments by category of investment and valuation technique as of March 31, 2022: (fair value expressed in thousands; acreage range expressed in dollars and not rounded):

					Range
*(in thousands)*	Fair Value		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Minimum			Maximum			Weighted Average
Limited liability company investments	$	15,000	Guideline Transaction Method	Acreage Value (per acre)	$	1,500		$	11,000		$	4,062
				Proved Reserve Multiple		3.8	x		8.8	x		7.1	x
				Daily Production Multiple		18,324.5	x		44,928.8	x		36,900.6	x
			Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate		11.0	%		11.0	%		11.0	%

The following table summarizes the significant non-observable inputs in the fair value measurements of our Level 3 investments by category of investment and valuation technique as of December 31, 2021: (fair value expressed in thousands; acreage range expressed in dollars and not rounded):

					Range
*(in thousands)*	Fair Value		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Minimum			Maximum			Weighted Average
Limited liability company investments	$	12,000	Guideline Transaction Method	Acreage Value (per acre)	$	1,500		$	10,000		$	5,750
				Proved Reserve Multiple		3.6	x		7.3	x		7.2	x
				Daily Production Multiple		15,425.3	x		37,215.1	x		36,393.7	x
			Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate		11.0	%		11.0	%		11.0	%

Because of the inherent uncertainty of the valuation of portfolio securities which do not have readily ascertainable market values, amounting to $15.0 million and $12.0 million as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively, our fair value determinations may materially differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for these securities.

We adjust our net asset value for the changes in the value of our publicly held securities, if applicable, and material changes in the value of private securities, generally determined on a quarterly basis or as announced in a press release, and report those amounts to Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Our net asset value appears in various publications, including Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal.

Escrowed Receivables, at Estimated Fair Value—In December 2020, we sold our interest in PalletOne, Inc (“PalletOne”). A portion of the proceeds from the sale was placed in a cash escrow account to secure the representations and warranties made to the purchaser. The escrow receivable was valued at $3.4 million as of December 31, 2020.

During 2021, we received $3.8 million in cash from PalletOne. We recognized a capital gain of $0.4 million due to the change in our estimated fair value of this receivable.

Investment Transactions—Investment transactions are recorded on the accrual method. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are computed on a specific identification basis.

We classify our investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are defined as investments in companies in which the Fund owns more than 25% of the voting securities or maintains greater than 50% of the board representation. Under the 1940 Act, “Affiliate Investments” are defined as those non-control investments in companies in which we own between 5% and 25% of the voting securities. Under the 1940 Act, “Non-affiliate Investments” are defined as investments that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments. See also Note 4 for discussion of related party investment transactions.

Interest and Dividend Income Recognition—We record interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. We accrete or amortize discounts and premiums on securities purchased over the life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discount and/or amortization of premium on debt securities. We stop accruing interest on investments when we determine that interest is no longer collectible. We may also impair the accrued interest when we determine that all or a portion of the current accrual is uncollectible. If we receive any cash after determining that interest is no longer collectible, we treat such cash as payment on the principal balance until the entire principal balance has been repaid, before we recognize any additional interest income. We will write off uncollectible interest upon the occurrence of a definitive event such as a sale, bankruptcy, or reorganization of the relevant portfolio interest. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared by the portfolio company or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution.

Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation—Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or redemption of an investment or a financial instrument and the cost basis of the investment or financial instrument, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized, and includes investments written-off during the period net of recoveries and realized gains or losses from in-kind redemptions. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the net change in the fair value of the portfolio company investments and financial instruments and the reclassification of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments and financial instruments to realized gains or losses.

Payment in Kind Interest (PIK)—From time to time, we have loans in our portfolio that may pay PIK interest. We add PIK interest, if any, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To maintain our status as a RIC, we must pay out to stockholders this non-cash source of income in the form of dividends even if we have not yet collected any cash in respect of such investments. To the extent we remain BDC and a RIC, we will continue to pay out net investment income and/or realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis as required under the 1940 Act.

Earnings Per Share—Basic and diluted per share calculations are computed utilizing the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. In accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, the unvested shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to our equity compensation plans are participating securities and, therefore, are included in the basic earnings per share calculation. As a result, for all periods presented, there is no difference between diluted earnings per share and basic earnings per share amounts.

Distributable Earnings—The components that make up distributable earnings (accumulated undistributed deficit) on the Condensed Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are as follows:

& Negative Thick Space;	As of March 31, 2022			As of December 31, 2021
Accumulated undistributed net investment losses	$	(44,731	)	$	(43,801	)
Unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities, net		7,039			5,039
Accumulated undistributed net capital gains		429			429
Accumulated deficit	$	(37,264	)	$	(38,333	)

Taxes—So long as we remain a BDC, we intend to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code necessary to qualify as a RIC and, as such, will not be subject to federal income taxes on otherwise taxable income (including net realized capital gains) which is distributed to stockholders. As of December 31, 2021, we accrued a $0.04 million in corporate level income and excise tax in lieu of making a distribution of the net capital gain for the sale of PalletOne, Inc. We borrow money from time to time to maintain our tax status under the Internal Revenue Code as a RIC. See Note 1 for discussion of Taxable Subsidiaries and see Note 2 for further discussion of the Fund’s RIC borrowings.

Texas margin tax applies to legal entities conducting business in Texas. The margin tax is based on our Texas sourced taxable margin. The tax is calculated by applying a tax rate to a base that considers both revenue and expenses and therefore has the characteristics of an income tax. As a result, we have no provision for margin tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and we expect no in state income tax for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Cash Flows—For purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows, we consider all highly liquid temporary cash investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. We exclude “Restricted Cash and Temporary Cash Investments” used for purposes of complying with RIC requirements from cash equivalents.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sums to the total of the same amounts shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:

	As of March 31, 2022		As of December 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	22,300	$	23,465
Restricted cash at end of period		30		25
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	22,330	$	23,490

Recent Accounting Standards—We consider the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates (“ASU”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). ASUs not listed below were assessed and either determined to be not applicable or expected to have minimal impact on our financial statements.

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted— In May 2020, the SEC adopted rule amendments that will impact the requirement of investment companies, including BDCs, to disclose the financial statements of certain of their portfolio companies or acquired funds (the “Final Rules”). The Final Rules adopted a new definition of “significant subsidiary” set forth in Rule 1-02(w)(2) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. Rules 3-09 and 4-08(g) of Regulation S-X require investment companies to include separate financial statements or summary financial information, respectively, in such investment company’s periodic reports for any portfolio company that meets the definition of “significant subsidiary.” The Final Rules amend the definition of “significant subsidiary” in a manner that is intended to more accurately capture those portfolio companies that are more likely to materially impact the financial condition of an investment company. The Final Rules became effective on January 1, 2021, but voluntary compliance was permitted in advance of the effective date. The Company elected to comply with the Final Rules effective June 30, 2020 which reduced the requirement for the Company to provide separate audited financial statements and summarized financial information for its controlled portfolio companies going forward.