FORM OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit (g)
FORM OF
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
This
Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of by and between HORIZON TECHNOLOGY
FINANCE CORPORATION a Delaware Corporation (the “Company”), and HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE
MANAGEMENT LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Advisor”).
WHEREAS, the Company is a newly organized closed-end management investment fund that may in
the future elect to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”);
WHEREAS, the Advisor has registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the
“Advisers Act”); and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Advisor to furnish investment advisory services to
the Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, and the Advisor wishes 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 Advisor.
(a) The Company hereby employs the Advisor 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, for the period and upon the terms herein set forth, (i)
in accordance with the investment objective, policies and restrictions applicable to the Company as
set forth in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 dated March 19, 2010 (the
“Registration Statement”), as amended from time to time; (ii) during the term of this
Agreement in accordance with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations,
and the Company’s charter and bylaws; and (iii) if the Company elects to be regulated as a BDC, the
Advisor will manage the assets of the Company in accordance with the Investment Company Act.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Advisor 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, 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) perform due diligence on prospective portfolio
companies; and (vi) 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.
The Advisor 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 Advisor will arrange for such financing on the Company’s behalf, subject to the
oversight and approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. If it is necessary for the Advisor to
make investments on behalf of the Company through a special purpose vehicle, the Advisor 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 to the extent that the
Company elects to be treated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act).
(b) The Advisor hereby accepts such employment and agrees during the term hereof to render the
services described herein for the compensation provided herein.
(c) The Advisor is hereby authorized to enter into one or more sub-advisory agreements with
other investment advisers (each, a “Sub-Advisor”) pursuant to which the Advisor may obtain
the services of the Sub-Advisor(s) to assist the Advisor in fulfilling its responsibilities
hereunder. Specifically, the Advisor may retain a Sub-Advisor to recommend specific securities or
other investments based upon the Company’s investment objective
and policies, and work, along with
the Advisor, in structuring, negotiating, arranging or effecting the acquisition or disposition of
such investments and monitoring investments on behalf of the Company, subject to the oversight of
the Advisor and the Company. The Company shall be responsible for any compensation payable to any
Sub-Advisor.
If the Company elects to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act, any
sub-advisory agreement entered into by the Advisor shall be in accordance with the requirements of
the Investment Company Act and other applicable federal and state law.
(d) The Advisor 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.
(e) If the Company elects to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act, the
Advisor 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 with respect to the Company’s portfolio transactions
and shall render to the Company’s Board of Directors such periodic and special reports as the Board
may reasonably request. The Advisor 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 Advisor may retain a copy of such records.
2. Company’s Responsibilities and Expenses Payable by the Company.
All investment professionals of the Advisor and their respective staffs, when and to the
extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services hereunder, and the
compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, will be
provided and paid for by the Advisor and not by the Company. The Company will bear all other costs
and expenses of its operations, administration and transactions pursuant to that certain
Administration Agreement, dated as of , 2010, by and between the Company and Horizon
Technology Finance Management LLC, the Company’s Administrator.
3. Compensation of the Advisor.
The Company agrees to pay, and the Advisor agrees to accept, as compensation for the
services provided by the Advisor hereunder, a base management fee (“Base Management Fee”) and an
incentive fee (“Incentive Fee”) as hereinafter set forth. The Company shall make any
payments due hereunder to the Advisor or to the Advisor’s designee as the Advisor may otherwise
direct. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Advisor may elect, or the Company may adopt
a deferred compensation plan pursuant to which the Advisor may elect, to defer all or a portion of
its fees hereunder for a specified period of time.
(a) The Base Management Fee shall be calculated at an annual rate of 2.00% of the
Company’s gross assets, including any assets acquired with the proceeds of leverage, payable
monthly in arrears. Base Management Fees for any partial month will be appropriately pro rated.
(b) The Incentive Fee shall consist of two parts, as follows:
(i) | One part will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees and fees for providing significant managerial assistance or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies) accrued by the Company during the calendar quarter, minus the Company’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the Base Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and |
2
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 we have 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 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 1.75% per quarter (7.00% 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 2.00% base management fee. The Company will pay the Advisor an Incentive Fee with respect to the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows: (1) no Incentive Fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75%; (2) 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 but is less than 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized); we refer to this portion of our pre-Incentive Fee net investment income (which exceeds the hurdle but is less than 2.1875%) as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide our investment adviser with 20% of our pre-Incentive Fee net investment income as if a hurdle did not apply if this net investment income exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter; and (3) 20% of the amount of the Company’s pre-Incentive Fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.1875% in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized) payable to the Advisor (once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 20% of all pre-Incentive Fee investment income thereafter is allocated to the Advisor). These calculations will be appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the relevant quarter. | |||
(ii) | The second part of the Incentive Fee (the “Capital Gains Fee”) will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of this Agreement as set forth below), commencing on December 31, 2010, and will equal 20.0% of the Company’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from the date of the Company’s election to be a BDC through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the amount of any previously paid capital gain Incentive Fees, with respect to each of the investments in our portfolio; provided that the Incentive Fee determined as of December 31, 2010 will be calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from the date of the Company’s election to be a BDC. In the event that this Agreement shall terminate as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date shall be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying a Capital Gains Fee. |
4. Covenants of the Advisor.
The Advisor covenants that it is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers
Act. The Advisor 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 Advisor 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 Advisor determines in good faith, taking into
3
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. Limitations on the Employment of the Advisor.
The services of the Advisor to the Company are not exclusive, and the Advisor 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 Advisor 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 applicable
law). So long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment remains in effect, the
Advisor shall be the only investment adviser for the Company, subject to the Advisor’s right to
enter into sub-advisory agreements. The Advisor 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 Advisor and its
affiliates, as directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members, managers or
otherwise, and that the Advisor and directors, officers, employees, partners, stockholders, members
and managers of the Advisor and its affiliates are or may become similarly interested in the
Company as stockholders or otherwise.
7. Responsibility of Dual Directors, Officers and/or Employees.
If any person who is a manager, partner, officer or employee of the Advisor 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 Advisor shall be deemed to be acting in
such capacity solely for the Company, and not as a manager, partner, officer or employee of the
Advisor or under the control or direction of the Advisor, even if paid by the Advisor.
8. Limitation of Liability of the Advisor; Indemnification.
The Advisor (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling
persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Advisor) shall not be liable to
the Company for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Advisor 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 to the extent the
Company elects to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act), and the Company shall
indemnify, defend and protect the Advisor (and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees,
controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with the Advisor, 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
Advisor’s duties or obligations under this Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the
Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 8 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 Advisor’s
duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of the Advisor’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 Securities and Exchange
4
Commission or its staff thereunder to
the extent the Company elects to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act).
9. Effectiveness, Duration and Termination of Agreement.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the first date above written. This Agreement
shall remain in effect for an indefinite period; provided, however, that to the extent the Company
elects to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act, then this Agreement may be
terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon not more than 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 Advisor. The provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect, and the Advisor 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 Advisor shall be entitled to any
amounts owed under Section 3 through the date of termination or expiration and Section 8 shall
continue in force and effect and apply to the Advisor and its representatives as and to the extent
applicable.
(b) If the Company elects to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act:
(i) | This Agreement shall continue in effect for two 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 Company’s Board of Directors, 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; | |
(ii) | The Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, upon not more than 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 Advisor; | |
(iii) | 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). |
(c) The provisions of Section 8 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and
the Advisor 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 Advisor shall be entitled to any amounts owed under Section 3 through the date of termination
or expiration and Section 8 shall continue in force and effect and apply to the Advisor and its
representatives as and to the extent applicable.
10. 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.
11. Amendments.
This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent. If the Company elects to be regulated as
a BDC under the Investment Company Act, the consent of the Company must be obtained in conformity
with the requirements of the Investment Company Act.
12. Entire Agreement; Governing Law.
5
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 New York. If the Company
elects to be regulated as a BDC under the Investment Company Act, this Agreement shall also be
construed in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act. In such case,
to the extent the applicable laws of the State of New York or any of the provisions herein,
conflict with the provisions of the Investment Company Act, the latter shall control.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the
date above written.
HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION |
||||
By: | /s/ | |||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE MANAGEMENT LLC |
||||
By: | /s/ | |||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
6