Hercules Capital Celebrates 20th Anniversary with $20.0 Billion in Cumulative Originations

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Hercules Capital celebrates its 20th anniversary by reaching a milestone of $20.0 billion in total debt commitments. The company, founded in 2003, is a leading specialty financing provider to innovative venture, growth, and established stage companies. With over 650 technology and life sciences portfolio companies and more than 1,000 venture capital and private equity firms, Hercules Capital has achieved significant growth and success over the years.

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• Hercules Capital has reached a milestone of $20.0 billion in total debt commitments.
• The company has achieved a 42.6% compound annual growth rate in cumulative commitments over 20 years.
• Hercules Capital has over $4.5 billion in assets under management and has partnered with over 650 portfolio companies and more than 1,000 venture capital and private equity firms.
• The company has experienced over 250 portfolio company IPO or M&A exit events.
• Hercules Capital has a diverse team of over 110 full-time employees with a focus on growth stage ecosystem.
• The company has four investment grade corporate ratings - Fitch, Moody’s, KBRA, and DBRS.
• Hercules Capital had over $1.0 billion of available liquidity as of year-end 2023.
• In 2023, Hercules Capital recorded total gross fundings of $1.6 billion on gross new debt and equity commitments of $2.17 billion.
• The company funded 32 new portfolio companies in 2023, bringing the total active loan portfolio companies to 125 as of year-end 2023.
• Hercules Capital has delivered strong and consistent Total Shareholder Returns (TSR) with 75 consecutive quarters and $1.87 billion in dividends paid since IPO in June 2005.
• HTGC has traded at a premium to net asset value for 98.4% of the trading days in the past 10 years.
• The company has a 112.4% TSR over the last 5 years as of year-end 2023.

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Two Decades of Fueling the Growth of the Innovation Economy

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC) (“Hercules” or the “Company”), is celebrating its 20^th year of originations activity by reaching the $20.0 billion milestone in total debt commitments.

Founded in December 2003, and originating its first deal in 2004, the Company’s mission was simple: Provide entrepreneurs with an alternative source of growth capital that complements a growth stage company’s existing institutional financing. Today, Hercules Capital is the largest and leading specialty financing provider to innovative venture, growth and established stage companies, having partnered with over 650 technology and life sciences portfolio companies and more than 1,000 venture capital and private equity firms.

“2024 marks our 20^th year investing in the venture and growth stage asset class over which time we’ve committed more than $20.0 billion in capital, representing a remarkable milestone for our Company,” stated Scott Bluestein, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of Hercules. “Our scale, institutionalized lending platform and our ability to capitalize on competitive, rapidly changing macro environments continue to drive our business forward and our operating performance to record levels. Our multiple decade track record of success is attributable to the tremendous dedication, efforts and capabilities of our employees, and the trust that our venture capital and private equity partners place with us every day. As an internally managed platform, we offer solutions, strategic agility and shareholder alignment that differentiate us from the broader industry. We are thankful to the many companies, management teams and investors that continue to make Hercules their partner of choice.”

Scale, diversification, disciplined underwriting and a credit driven culture

• More than $20.0 billion in total gross debt commitments since October 2004
• Achieved a 20-year 42.6% compound annual growth rate in cumulative commitments
• Approximately $4.5 billion of assets under management
• Partnered with over 650 portfolio companies and more than 1,000 venture capital and private equity firms
• Over 250 portfolio company IPO or M&A exit events

Experienced, diverse, and growing team committed to the growth stage ecosystem

• Over 110 full-time employees with offices in eight states and two countries
• Nearly 50% of our senior leaders, which includes our managing directors on the investment team and senior executives, are women or people of diverse ethnic backgrounds
• 50+ member origination team, led by individuals with an average of 10+ years industry experience

Strong and stable balance sheet supports continued platform growth

• Four investment grade corporate ratings – Fitch, Moody’s, KBRA and DBRS
• Inclusive of the Adviser Funds managed by Hercules Adviser LLC, its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hercules had over $1.0 billion of available liquidity as of year-end 2023
• GAAP leverage of 87.1% and regulatory leverage of 77.4% as of year-end 2023

Delivering solutions for growth stage companies and their institutional investors

• Record full-year 2023 total gross fundings of $1.6 billion on gross new debt and equity commitments of $2.17 billion
• 32 new portfolio companies funded in 2023 bringing the current portfolio to 125 active loan portfolio companies as of year-end 2023
• 2023 average deal size: $46.0 million
• 2023 deal size range: $3.7 million to $150.0 million

Commitment to delivering strong, consistent Total Shareholder Returns (TSR)

• 75 consecutive quarters and $1.87 billion in dividends paid since IPO in June 2005
• HTGC has traded at a premium to net asset value for 98.4% of the trading days in the past 10 years (ending 3/31/24)
• Internally managed structure aligned to maximize total shareholder returns
• In addition to the regular quarterly base distribution, 14 consecutive quarters paying a supplemental distribution to shareholders (ending 3/31/24)
• A 112.4% TSR over the last 5 years as of year-end 2023

Note: All figures represented herein are from October 2004 and as of April 23, 2024 unless otherwise noted

About Hercules Capital, Inc.

Hercules Capital, Inc. (NYSE: HTGC) is the leading and largest specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured venture growth loans to high-growth, innovative venture capital-backed companies in a broad variety of technology, life sciences and sustainable and renewable technology industries. Since inception (December 2003), Hercules has committed over $20.0 billion to over 650 companies and is the lender of choice for entrepreneurs and venture capital firms seeking growth capital financing. Companies interested in learning more about financing opportunities should contact info@htgc.com, or call 650.289.3060.

Hercules, through its wholly owned subsidiary business, Hercules Adviser LLC (“Hercules Adviser”), also maintains an asset management business through which it manages investments for external parties (“Adviser Funds”). Hercules Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Hercules’ common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol “HTGC.” In addition, Hercules has one retail bond issuance of 6.25% Notes due 2033 (NYSE: HCXY).

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We may use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “may” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and should not be relied upon in making any investment decision. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations. While we cannot identify all such risks and uncertainties, we urge you to read the risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and other materials that we publicly file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. Hercules assumes no obligation to update any such statements in the future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240424923390/en/

Michael Hara

Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

Hercules Capital, Inc.

650-433-5578

mhara@htgc.com

Source: Hercules Capital, Inc.

FAQ

How much debt commitments has Hercules Capital reached on its 20th anniversary?

Hercules Capital has reached a milestone of $20.0 billion in total debt commitments.

How many portfolio companies has Hercules Capital partnered with?

Hercules Capital has partnered with over 650 technology and life sciences portfolio companies.

What is the average deal size of Hercules Capital in 2023?

The average deal size of Hercules Capital in 2023 was $46.0 million.

How many consecutive quarters has Hercules Capital delivered Total Shareholder Returns?

Hercules Capital has delivered Total Shareholder Returns for 75 consecutive quarters.

What is the trading performance of HTGC in the past 10 years?

HTGC has traded at a premium to net asset value for 98.4% of the trading days in the past 10 years.

How much liquidity did Hercules Capital have as of year-end 2023?

Hercules Capital had over $1.0 billion of available liquidity as of year-end 2023.