UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

☒              Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the year ended December 31, 2019

☐         Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

For the transition period from        to

Commission File number 000‑55217

ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

The Transamerica Pyramid, 600 Montgomery Street, 9th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111

(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (415) 989‑8800

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: Limited Liability Company Units

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934. Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10‑K or any amendment to this Form 10‑K. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

State the aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant: Not applicable

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of a specified date within the past 60 days. (See definition of affiliate in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.) Not applicable

The number of Limited Liability Company Units outstanding as of February 29, 2020 was 1,612,396.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

None.

PART I

Item 1. BUSINESS

General Development of Business 

ATEL Growth Capital Fund 8, LLC (the “Company” or the “Fund”) was formed under the laws of the state of California on December 8, 2011 for the purpose of providing financing for the acquisition of equipment and other goods and services used by emerging growth companies and established privately held companies without publicly traded securities, and for providing other forms of financing for, and to acquire equity interests and warrants and rights to purchase equity interests in such companies. The Fund may continue until it is terminated in accordance with the ATEL Growth Capital Fund 8, LLC limited liability company operating agreement dated December 13, 2011 (the “Operating Agreement”). The Managing Member of the Company is AGC Managing Member, LLC (the “Managing Member” or “Manager”), the renamed AGC 8 Managing Member, LLC which was formed in December 2011 as a Nevada limited liability company. Such name change is the result of an amendment to the articles of incorporation filed with the State of Nevada effective March 18, 2014. Contributions in the amount of $500 were received as of December 31, 2011, which represented the initial Member’s capital investment. As a limited liability company, the liability of any individual member for the obligations of the Fund is limited to the extent of capital contributions to the Fund by the individual member.

The offering of the Company was granted effectiveness by the Securities and Exchange Commission as of August 20, 2012. As of November 14, 2012, subscriptions for the minimum number of Units (120,000, representing $1.2 million), excluding subscriptions from Pennsylvania investors, had been received and the Fund requested subscription proceeds to be released from escrow. On that date, the Company commenced initial operations. Pennsylvania subscriptions were subject to a separate escrow and were released to the Fund only at such time as total subscription proceeds received by the Fund from all subscribers, including the escrowed Pennsylvania subscriptions, equal to not less than $3.75 million in gross proceeds. Total contributions to the Fund exceeded $3.75 million on March 13, 2013, at which time a request was processed to release the Pennsylvania escrowed amounts. The offering was terminated on August 20, 2014.

As of December 31, 2019, cumulative contributions, net of rescissions and related distributions paid, totaling $16.2 million (inclusive of the $500 initial Member’s capital investment) have been received. As of such date, a total of 1,612,396 Units were issued and outstanding.

Prior to the termination of its offering, the Fund, or Managing Member on behalf of the Fund, incurred costs in connection with the organization, registration and issuance of the Units. The amount of such costs borne by the Fund was limited by certain provisions of the Operating Agreement.

The Company’s principal objectives are to invest in a diversified portfolio of investments that will (i) preserve, protect and return the Company’s invested capital; (ii) generate regular cash distributions to Unitholders, with any balance remaining after required minimum distributions to be used to purchase additional investments during the Reinvestment Period (ending six calendar years after the completion of the Company’s public offering of Units), (iii) provide additional distributions to Unitholders from any proceeds from sales of Equity interests and (iv) provide total cash distributions to Unitholders equal to a desirable rate of return on their investment capital. The Company is governed by the Operating Agreement.

Narrative Description of Business 

The Company intends to provide acquisition financing for third parties primarily pursuant to secured loans with fixed periodic installment obligations for payment of interest and amortization of principal. The Company may also finance equipment and other capital assets for its customers through finance leases which are structured as leases, but which are treated as installment loans for tax purposes, as well as through net leases requiring fixed periodic lease payment installments. Generally, the Fund expects to finance newly-manufactured equipment. However, the Fund may also finance desirable used equipment and equipment subject to pre-existing financing transactions under appropriate circumstances and where consistent with the Fund’s overall investment objectives and limitations. In addition, some portion of the Fund’s portfolio may be general working capital loans secured by liens on some or all of the borrowers’ assets.

The Fund’s objective is primarily to focus its lending to non-public venture capital financed companies as well as established privately held companies, and to obtain terms from its customers that may include, as consideration to the Fund for providing financing, the granting of warrants, options or other rights to purchase equity securities issued by the customer, or the opportunity to purchase such equity securities outright. Growing young companies often have more difficulty obtaining financing for equipment and other goods and services essential to the development and growth of their business, and as a result, must offer their financing sources substantial cash deposits, equity participations or other extraordinary consideration to obtain financing.

The Fund will generally seek transaction terms requiring full repayment of principal along with interest over 24 to 42 months at competitive target interest rates per annum. In many cases, the Fund expects to acquire equity interests, such as warrants and options to purchase securities, in consideration of its acquisition financing and without any other cash investment by the Fund at the time it acquires such rights (“warrant coverage”). In such cases, cash investment by the Fund would be made upon exercise of the rights, and the Fund expects to use operating cash flow to fund such exercises. With regard to warrant coverage, the Fund will generally seek to obtain rights to acquire equity in dollar amounts equal to from 4% to 6% of the principal amount of the financing. In other cases, the Fund may obtain the right to make a direct cash investment in the customer’s securities at the time the financing is provided. The aggregate cost of equity interests acquired directly by the Fund for cash will not exceed 10% of the aggregate cost to the Fund of its portfolio of financing transaction investments as of the final investment of net offering proceeds.

The asset based acquisition financing industry is highly competitive. In obtaining customers, the Fund will compete with commercial banks and lenders, other acquisition financing firms, venture capital investors and with established leasing and finance companies. In addition, there are numerous other potential entities, including entities organized and managed similarly to the Fund, seeking to finance equipment, many of which have greater financial resources and growth capital acquisition financing experience than the Fund’s management.

The Managing Member will use its best efforts to acquire a portfolio of growth capital loans and financing transactions that are diversified both by the type of businesses and industries of its borrowers and by their stages of financing. Earlier stage companies may offer higher potential returns, but typically involve higher levels of risk of loss. The financing of companies from start-up to public offering is generally described in the venture capital markets as involving four stages — in descending order of relative risk — (i) the “seed” stage, (ii) the “early” stage, (iii) the “expansion” or “mezzanine” stage, and (iv) the “late” or “later” stage. The Fund will seek to diversify its growth capital financing investments among the latter three stages of the venture financing process, by providing asset based financing to companies in the early, expansion and later stages of their business development and capital financing.

The primary geographic region in which the Company seeks financing opportunities is North America.

The business of the Company is not seasonal. The Company has no full time employees. Employees of the Managing Member and affiliates provide the services the Company requires to effectively operate. The cost of these services is reimbursed by the Company to the Managing Member and affiliates per the Operating Agreement.

Note Receivable Activities 

The Company seeks to finance assets in diverse industries. The following tables set forth the types of assets financed by the Company through December 31, 2019 and the industries to which the assets have been financed (dollars in thousands):

From inception to December 31, 2019, assets financed by the Company that were associated with terminated loans are as follows (in thousands):

For further information regarding the Company’s notes receivable as of December 31, 2019, see Note 4 to the financial statements, Notes receivable, net, as set forth in Part II, Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Item 2. PROPERTIES

The Company does not own or lease any real property, plant or material physical properties.

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of conducting business, there may be certain claims, suits, and complaints filed against the Company. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such matters, if any, will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. No material legal proceedings are currently pending against the Company or against any of its assets.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

There are certain material conditions and restrictions on the transfer of Units imposed by the terms of the Operating Agreement. Consequently, there is no public market for Units and it is not anticipated that a public market for Units will develop. In the absence of a public market for the Units, there is no currently ascertainable fair market value for the Units.

Holders

As of December 31, 2019, a total of 410 investors were Unitholders of record in the Company. 

Fund Valuation

Background to Fund Valuation

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), in conjunction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) updated rules for the presentation of account statement values relative to pricing of Direct Placement Program (“DPP”) shares. Under FINRA Notice 15-02 (the “Notice”) the SEC approved amendments to National Association of Securities Dealers (“NASD”) Rule 2340, Customer Account Statements, and FINRA rule 2310, which address a FINRA member firm’s participation in a public offering of a DPP. In summary, the amendments require a FINRA member firm to include in the account statements for customers holding DPP securities a per share value for the DPP. This per share value must be prepared by, or with the material assistance or confirmation of, a third-party valuation expert or service. The results of this valuation must be disclosed in the issuer’s reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. A valuation in compliance with the Notice must be undertaken and published on at least an annual basis.

The effective date of the Notice was April 11, 2016.

Methodologies

Broker dealers are required to provide a per share estimated value on the customer account statements for each non-listed DPP security held by their customers. Such estimated value must have been developed in a manner reasonably designed to provide a reliable value. Two valuation methodologies have been defined by FINRA, which by such designation are presumed to be reliable.

Net Investment Methodology

The amendments to NASD Rule 2340(c)(1)(A) require “net investment” to be based on the “amount available for investment” percentage disclosed in the “Estimated Use of Proceeds” section of the issuer’s offering prospectus. In essence, such value is equal to the offering price less selling commissions, other offering and organization expenses, and capital reserves. This method may be used for up to 150 days following the second anniversary of a Fund breaking escrow.

Appraised Value Methodology

As amended, Rule NASD 2340(c)(1)(B) requires that the per share estimated value disclosed in an issuer’s most recent periodic or current report be based upon an appraisal of the assets and liabilities of the program by, or with the material assistance or confirmation of, a third-party valuation expert or service, in conformity with standard industry valuation practice as it relates to both the aforementioned assets and liabilities. No later than 150 days following the second anniversary of the issuer’s break of escrow for its minimum offering, this methodology must be used to establish the required estimated values.

Unit Valuation

The per Unit valuation estimate for ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC has been conducted, and the results disclosed herein, in compliance with the mandates of the Notice.

For ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC, its estimated value per Unit reflects the Manager’s estimate of current portfolio valuation of all assets and liabilities of the Fund, calculated on a per Unit basis, and as such, does not represent a market value for the Units and may not accurately reflect the value of the Fund Units to the Unit holders if held over time to Fund maturity.

In connection with any estimate of per Unit value, Unit holders and all parties are reminded that no public market for the Units exists. Additionally, in order to preserve the Fund’s pass-through status for federal income tax purposes, the Fund will not permit a secondary market or the substantial equivalent of a secondary market for the Units. In the absence of a public market for the Units, there is no currently ascertainable fair market value for the Units.

The estimate of per Unit value does not take into account any extraordinary potential future business activity of the Fund; rather the valuation represents a snapshot view of the Fund’s portfolio as of the valuation date. In addition, the Fund does not include any analysis of the distributions that have already been paid by the Fund, nor the anticipated returns to Unit holder over the full course of the Fund life cycle, which will be dependent on many factors.

Disclosure

The estimated value per Unit reported in this Form 10-K has been calculated using the “Appraised Value Methodology” described under “Methodologies” above, as of December 31, 2019.

ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC, will satisfy the disclosure requirements for providing estimated per Unit values pursuant to the Notice as follows:

For these disclosures, subsequent to the Fund’s initial compliance with FINRA 15-02, annual disclosures of estimated per Unit values, through the termination of the Fund, will be accomplished and included on an annual basis in a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission available to the public.

Specifics Underlying Valuation Methodology:

Notes and Explanation of Valuation Components and Calculation

ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC Unit Valuation

The Manager’s estimated per Unit value of ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC at December 31, 2019 as determined, and derived under the guidelines of the Appraised Value Methodology, and pursuant to the above specific enumerated component valuation methodologies and calculations, equals $1.32. An independent national public accounting firm with valuation expertise was retained to examine, attest and confirm ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC’s per Unit valuation and its component methodologies and calculation as it relates to compliance with the regulatory mandate defined in the Notice. In this regard, they examined the components of the valuation methodologies and determined them to be reasonable and within industry standards. Other component attributes, including the bases and related key assumptions of the calculation were tested for their completeness, underlying documentation support and mathematical accuracy. Upon completion of their efforts, their attestation report confirmed that the per unit valuation of ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC, and the related notes, in all material respects, was based upon industry practice as described in the Manager’s valuation approach.

Disclaimer

The foregoing Fund per Unit valuation has been performed solely for the purpose of providing an estimated value per Unit in accordance with a regulatory mandate, in order to provide the broker dealer and custodian community with a valuation on a reasonable and attested basis for use in assigning an estimation of a Unit holder’s account value. Any report or disclosure of such estimated per Unit valuation is to be accompanied by statements that the value does not represent an estimate of the amount a Unit holder would receive if the Unit holder were to seek to sell the Units, and that the Fund intends to liquidate its assets in the ordinary course of its business and over the Fund’s term. Further, each statement of the Fund’s estimated per Unit valuation is to be accompanied by a disclosure that there can be no assurance as to (1) when the Fund will be fully liquidated, (2) the amount the Fund may actually receive if and when the Fund seeks to liquidate its assets, (3) the amount of lease or loan payments the Fund will actually receive over the remaining term, (4) the amount of asset disposition proceeds the Fund will actually receive over the remaining term, and (5) the amounts that may actually be received in distributions by Unit holders over the course of the remaining term.

Distributions

The Unitholders of record are entitled to certain distributions as provided under the Operating Agreement. The Company commenced periodic distributions beginning with the month of November 2012. Additional distributions have been made consistently through December 2019.

The rate for monthly distributions from 2019 operations was $0.092 per Unit for the period from January through October 2019.  For November and December 2019, the investors were paid an annualized distribution rate of $0.122 per Unit as the Company switched the distribution cycle from monthly to quarterly effective November 1, 2019.  The rate for monthly distributions from 2018 operations was $0.092 per Unit for the period from January through December 2018. The rate for each of the quarterly distributions paid in 2019 and 2018 was $0.275 per Unit.

Cash distributions were paid by the Fund to Unitholders of record as of November 30, 2019, and paid through December 31, 2019. The distributions may be characterized for tax, accounting and economic purposes as a return of capital, a return on capital (including escrow interest) or a portion of each. Generally, the portion of each cash distribution by a company which exceeds its net income for the fiscal period would constitute a return of capital. The Fund is required by the terms of its Operating Agreement to distribute the net cash flow generated by its investments in certain minimum amounts during the Reinvestment Period before it can reinvest its operating cash flow in additional portfolio assets. See the discussion in the Fund’s Prospectus dated August 20, 2012 under “Income, Losses and Distributions-Reinvestment.” Accordingly, the amount of cash flow from Fund investments distributed to Unitholders will not be available for reinvestment in additional portfolio assets.

The cash distributions were based on current and anticipated gross revenues from the loans funded and equity investments acquired. During the Fund’s acquisition and operating stages, the Fund may incur short term borrowing to fund regular distributions of such gross revenues to be generated by newly acquired transactions during their respective initial fixed terms. As such, all Fund periodic cash distributions made during these stages have been, and are expected in the future to be, based on the Fund’s actual and anticipated gross revenues to be generated from the binding initial terms of the loans and investments funded.

The following table summarizes distribution activity for the Fund from inception through December 31, 2019 (in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data):

Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

A smaller reporting company is not required to present selected financial data in accordance with item 301(c) of Regulation S-K.

Item 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Statements contained in this Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, which are not historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. In particular, changes in general economic conditions, including significant rates of inflation and fluctuations in interest rates may result in reduced returns on invested capital. The Company’s performance is subject to risks relating to borrower defaults and the creditworthiness of its borrowers. Investors are cautioned not to attribute undue certainty to these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as required by law.

Overview 

ATEL Growth Capital Fund 8, LLC (the “Company” or the “Fund”) was formed under the laws of the state of California on December 8, 2011 for the purpose of providing financing for the acquisition of equipment and other goods and services used by emerging growth companies and established privately held companies without publicly traded securities, and for providing other forms of financing for, and to acquire equity interests and warrants and rights to purchase equity interests in such companies. The offering of the Company was granted effectiveness by the Securities and Exchange Commission as of August 20, 2012.

As of November 14, 2012, subscriptions for the minimum number of Units (120,000, representing $1,200,000), excluding subscriptions from Pennsylvania investors, had been received and the Fund requested subscription proceeds to be released from escrow. On that date, the Company commenced initial operations. Pennsylvania subscriptions were subject to a separate escrow and were released to the Fund only at such time as total subscription proceeds received by the Fund from all subscribers, including the escrowed Pennsylvania subscriptions, equal to not less than $3,750,000 in gross proceeds. Total contributions to the Fund exceeded $3,750,000 on March 13, 2013, at which time a request was processed to release the Pennsylvania escrowed amounts. The offering was terminated on August 20, 2014.

As of December 31, 2019, cumulative contributions, net of rescissions and related distributions paid, totaling $16.2 million (inclusive of the $500 initial Member’s capital investment) have been received. As of such date, a total of 1,612,396 Units were issued and outstanding.

Results of Operations 

The Company had net income of $106 thousand and $83 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The results for 2019 reflected a decrease in both total revenues and total operating expenses when compared to prior year.

Revenues

Total revenues for 2019 decreased by $55 thousand, or 9%, as compared to prior year. Such declines in total revenues were largely due to a $200 thousand reduction in interest income attributable to loan maturities and the early termination of certain loans during the current year, and a $187 thousand decrease in the fair valuation of the investment in securities; offset, in part, by a $231 thousand increase in unrealized gains on warrants and a $55 thousand gain on early termination of notes receivables.  There was no such early termination of notes during the prior year.

Expenses

Total expenses for 2019 decreased by $78 thousand, or 15%, as compared to prior year. The decrease was primarily due to the decreases in the provision for credit losses, acquisition expense, and asset management fees partially offset by an increase in professional fees.

The provision for credit losses decreased by $73 thousand primarily due to the recovery of certain outstanding receivables which were previously reserved. Acquisition expense declined from $27 thousand in 2018 to none during the current year, as there was no acquisition activity during 2019. In addition, asset management fees decreased by $19 thousand due to the continued decline in the Fund’s managed assets.

The decreases in expenses were partially offset by a $59 thousand increase in professional fees attributable to the timing related to Fund’s audits and compliance fee payments.

Cash Flows

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $70 thousand and $214 thousand at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  The liquidity of the Company varies, increasing to the extent cash flows from portfolio investments exceed the range of expenses and decreasing as portfolio investments are acquired, as distributions are made to the Members and to the amount expenses exceed cash flows from its portfolio investments.   

The following table sets forth summary cash flow data (in thousands):

During 2019 and 2018, the Company’s primary source of liquidity was cash flow from its investment in notes receivable totaling $1.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively. In addition, during 2019, the Company realized $554 thousand of proceeds from the early termination of notes receivable and $161 thousand of proceeds from sales or dispositions of investments in securities. 

During the same respective years, cash was primarily used to pay distributions to both the Other Members and the Managing Member, totaling $1.9 million and $2.0 million for the respective years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.   Cash was also used to fund new investments in notes receivable totaling $26 thousand and $1.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 respectively.  In addition, cash was used to pay invoices related to management fees and expenses, and other payables.

Commitments and Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

Commitments

At December 31, 2019, there was no commitment to fund investments in notes receivable.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

None.

Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Financial Statements and Notes to Financial Statements attached hereto at pages 12 through 32.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Members

ATEL Growth Capital Fund 8, LLC

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of ATEL Growth Capital Fund 8, LLC, (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018,  the related statements of income, changes in members’ capital, and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Management of the Company’s Managing Member. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/   Moss Adams LLP

San Francisco, California

March 25, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2011.

ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC

BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018

(In Thousands)

See accompanying notes.

ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC

STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018

(In Thousands Except for Units and Per Unit Data)

See accompanying notes.

ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018

(In Thousands Except for Units and Per Unit Data)

See accompanying notes.

ATEL GROWTH CAPITAL FUND 8, LLC

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS  ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018

(In Thousands)

See accompanying notes.

1.  Organization and Limited Liability Company matters:

ATEL Growth Capital Fund 8, LLC (the “Company” or the “Fund”) was formed under the laws of the state of California on December 8, 2011 for the purpose of providing financing for the acquisition of equipment and other goods and services used by emerging growth companies and established privately held companies without publicly traded securities, and for providing other forms of financing for, and to acquire equity interests and warrants and rights to purchase equity interests in such companies. The Fund may continue until it is terminated in accordance with the ATEL Growth Capital Fund 8, LLC limited liability company operating agreement dated December 13, 2011 (the “Operating Agreement”).  The Managing Member of the Company is AGC Managing Member, LLC (the “Managing Member” or “Manager”), the renamed AGC 8 Managing Member, LLC which was formed in December 2011 as a Nevada limited liability company. Such name change is the result of an amendment to the articles of incorporation filed with the State of Nevada effective March 18, 2014. Contributions in the amount of $500 were received as of December 31, 2011, which represented the initial Member’s capital investment. As a limited liability company, the liability of any individual member for the obligations of the Fund is limited to the extent of capital contributions to the Fund by the individual member.

The offering of the Company was granted effectiveness by the Securities and Exchange Commission as of August 20, 2012. As of November 14, 2012, subscriptions for the minimum number of Units (120,000, representing $1.2 million), excluding subscriptions from Pennsylvania investors, had been received and the Fund requested subscription proceeds to be released from escrow. On that date, the Company commenced initial operations. Pennsylvania subscriptions were subject to a separate escrow and were released to the Fund only at such time as total subscription proceeds received by the Fund from all subscribers, including the escrowed Pennsylvania subscriptions, equal to not less than $3.75 million in gross proceeds. Total contributions to the Fund exceeded $3.75 million on March 13, 2013, at which time a request was processed to release the Pennsylvania escrowed amounts. The offering was terminated on August 20, 2014.

As of December 31, 2019, cumulative contributions, net of rescissions and related distributions paid, totaling $16.2 million (inclusive of the $500 initial Member’s capital investment) have been received. As of such date, a total of 1,612,396 Units were issued and outstanding.

The Company’s principal objectives are to invest in a diversified portfolio of investments that will (i) preserve, protect and return the Company’s invested capital; (ii) generate regular cash distributions to Unitholders, with any balance remaining after required minimum distributions to be used to purchase additional investments during the Reinvestment Period (ending six calendar years after the completion of the Company’s public offering of Units), (iii) provide additional distributions to Unitholders from any proceeds from sales of Equity interests and (iv) provide total cash distributions to Unitholders equal to a desirable rate of return on their investment capital. The Company is governed by the Operating agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Operating Agreement, the Managing Member and/or its affiliates receives compensation for services rendered and reimbursements for costs incurred on behalf of the Company (Note 6). The Company is required to maintain reasonable cash reserves for working capital, the repurchase of Units and contingencies. The repurchase of Units is solely at the discretion of the Managing Member.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies:

Basis of presentation:

The accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related statements of income, changes in members’ capital and cash flows for the years then ended have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Footnote and tabular amounts are presented in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data.

In preparing the accompanying financial statements, the Company has reviewed, as determined necessary by the Managing Member, events that have occurred after December 31, 2019, up until the issuance of the financial statements. No events were noted which would require additional disclosure in the footnotes to the financial statements other than those disclosed in Note 11, Subsequent Events.

Cash and cash equivalents:

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in banks and cash equivalent investments such as U.S. Treasury instruments with original and/or purchased maturities of ninety days or less.

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from the estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of credit losses on notes receivable and the fair valuation of equity securities and warrants.

Accounts receivable:

Accounts receivable represent the amounts billed under notes receivable which are currently due to the Company. Allowances for credit losses are typically established based on historical charge off and collection experience and the collectability of specifically identified borrowers, and invoiced amounts. Accounts receivable deemed uncollectible are generally charged off against the allowance on a specific identification basis. Recoveries of amounts that were previously written-off are recorded as other income in the period received.

Credit risk:

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable and accounts receivable. The Company places the majority of its cash deposits in noninterest-bearing accounts with financial institutions that have no less than $10 billion in assets. Such deposits are insured up to $250 thousand. The remainder of the Funds’ cash is temporarily invested in U.S. Treasury instruments. The concentration of such deposits and temporary cash investments is not deemed to create a significant risk to the Company. Accounts and notes receivable represent amounts due from borrowers in various industries related to equipment financed through notes receivable.

Notes receivable, unearned interest income and related revenue recognition:

The Company records all future payments of principal and interest on notes as notes receivable, which are then offset by the amount of any related unearned interest income. For financial statement purposes, the Company reports the net investment in the notes on the balance sheet. Such net investment is comprised of the amount advanced on the loans, adjusting for net deferred loan fees or costs incurred at origination, amounts allocated to warrants received upon origination, and any payments received in advance. The unearned interest is recognized over the term of the notes and the income portion of each note payment is calculated so as to generate a constant rate of return on the net balance outstanding. Net deferred loan fees or costs, together with discounts recognized in connection with warrants acquired at origination, are accreted as an adjustment to yield over the term of the loan.

Allowances for losses on notes receivable are typically established based on historical charge off and collection experience and the collectability of specifically identified borrowers and billed and unbilled receivables. Notes are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and/or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the note agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. If it is determined that a loan is impaired with regard to scheduled payments, the Company will perform an analysis of the note to determine if an impairment valuation reserve is necessary.

This analysis considers the estimated cash flows from the note, or the collateral value of the property underlying the note when note repayment is collateral dependent. Any required valuation reserve is charged to earnings when determined; and notes are charged off to the allowance as they are deemed uncollectible.

Notes receivable are generally placed in a non-accrual status (i.e., no revenue is recognized) when payments are more than 90 days past due. Additionally, management periodically reviews the creditworthiness of companies with note payments outstanding less than 90 days. Based upon management’s judgment, the related notes may be placed on non-accrual status. Notes placed on non-accrual status are only returned to an accrual status when the account has been brought current and management believes recovery of the remaining unpaid receivable is probable. Until such time, all payments received are applied only against outstanding principal balances.

Note origination costs:

The Company capitalizes note origination costs and deferred loan fees associated with the origination and funding of investments in notes receivable. Costs incurred include both internal costs (e.g., the costs of employees’ activities in connection with successful loan originations) and any external broker fees incurred with such originations. These costs are amortized on a note by note basis over the actual contract term using the effective interest rate method. Upon termination of the underlying notes receivable, any of the remaining net note origination fees or costs are relieved. Likewise, the accumulated amortization related to the deferred costs is relieved. Costs related to notes receivable that are not consummated are not eligible for capitalization as note origination costs and are expensed as acquisition expense in the period of expenditure.

Acquisition expense:

Acquisition expense represents costs which include, but are not limited to, legal fees and expenses, travel and communication expenses, cost of appraisals, accounting fees and expenses and miscellaneous expenses related to the selection and acquisition or financing of equipment and equity investment transactions which were not consummated. Such costs are reimbursable to the Managing Member under the terms of the Operating Agreement. As the costs are not eligible for capitalization as note origination costs, such amounts are expensed as incurred.

Segment reporting:

The Company is organized into one operating segment for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly, the Company operates in one reportable operating segment in the United States.

The Company’s principal decision makers are the Managing Member’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. The Company believes that its financing business operates as one reportable segment because: a) the Company measures profit and loss at the portfolio assets level as a whole; b) the principal decision makers do not review information based on any operating segment other than the equipment financing transaction portfolio; c) the Company does not maintain discrete financial information on any specific segment other than its equipment financing operations; d) the Company has not chosen to organize its business around different products and services other than equipment financing; and e) the Company has not chosen to organize its business around geographic areas.

The primary geographic region in which the Company seeks financing opportunities is North America. Currently, 100% of the Company’s operating revenues are from customers domiciled in the United States.

Investment in securities:

From time to time, the Company may purchase securities of its borrowers or receive warrants in connection with its lending arrangements.

Purchased securities

The Company’s purchased securities registered for public sale with readily determinable fair values are measured at fair value with any changes in fair value recognized in the Company’s results of operations. The Company’s purchased securities not registered for public sale that do not have readily determinable fair values are measured at cost minus impairment, and adjusted for changes in observable prices. Factors considered by the Managing Member in determining fair value include, but are not limited to, available financial information, the issuer’s ability to meet its current obligations and indications of the issuer’s subsequent ability to raise capital. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, investments in equity securities totaled  $314 thousand and $281 thousand, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded unrealized losses of  $148 thousand and unrealized gains of $39 thousand, respectively, on the fair valuation of investment securities. The Company also recorded  $62 thousand and  $7 thousand of gains on sales or disposition of investment in securities during the respective years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. 

Warrants

Warrants owned by the Company are not registered for public sale, but are considered derivatives and are reflected at an estimated fair value on the balance sheet as determined by the Managing Member. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Managing Member estimated the fair value of warrants to be $588 thousand and $561 thousand, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded unrealized gains of $270 thousand and $39 thousand, respectively, on the fair valuation of its warrants. In addition, there was a net exercise of warrants in exchange for equity securities of $140 thousand in the first quarter of 2019. No exercises of any kind occurred during the comparative prior year.

Advance payments:

Note payments received prior to their due date are recorded as advance payments. The payments are applied against the note receivable when they become due.

Income Taxes:

The Company is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 701 of the Internal Revenue Code, a partnership is not subject to federal income taxes. Accordingly, the Company has provided current franchise income taxes for only those states which levy income taxes on partnerships. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related provision for state income taxes was approximately $1 thousand and $3 thousand, respectively. The Company does not have any entity level uncertain tax positions. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions and is generally subject to examination by U.S. federal (or state and local) income tax authorities for three years from the filing of a tax return.

The tax bases of the Company’s net assets and liabilities vary from the amounts presented in these financial statements at December 31, 2019 and 2018 as follows (in thousands):

The primary difference between the tax bases of net assets and the amounts recorded in the financial statements is the result of the difference in accounting for syndication costs used in the financial statements and the Company’s tax returns.

The following reconciles the net income reported in these financial statements to the loss reported on the Company’s federal tax return (unaudited) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):

Per Unit data:

Net income (loss) per Unit is based upon the weighted average number of Other Members Units outstanding during the year.

Recent accounting pronouncements:

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016‑13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016‑13”). The main objective of this Update is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. To achieve this objective, the amendments in this Update replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments affect entities holding financial assets and equipment under operating leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, equipment under operating leases, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. Management is currently evaluating the standard and expects the update may potentially result in the increase in the allowance for credit losses given the change to estimated losses over the contractual life adjusted for expected prepayments.

In November 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (“ASU 2018-19”). The new standard clarifies certain aspects of the new current expected credit losses (CECL) impairment model in ASU 2016-13. The amendment clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are within the scope of ASC 842, rather than ASC 326. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on the financial statements and related disclosure requirements.

On August 15, 2019, the FASB issued a proposed ASU that would grant certain companies additional time to implement FASB standards on current expected credit losses (CECL), and hedging. The proposed ASU defers the effective date for CECL to fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years; and defers the effective dates for hedging to fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. The ASU was approved on October 16, 2019.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (“ASU 2018-13”), which amends the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. Early adoption is permitted upon issuance of this Update. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this Update and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on the financial statements and related disclosure requirements.

3. Concentration of credit risk and major customers:

The Company provides debt financing to borrowers in diversified industries. Notes receivable are subject to the Managing Member’s credit committee review. The notes receivable provide for the return of the equipment or other underlying collateral to the Company upon default.

During 2019  and 2018, certain financial borrowers generated significant portions (defined as greater than or equal to 10%) of the Company’s total lending revenues, excluding gains or losses on disposition of assets, as follows:

These percentages are not expected to be comparable in future periods due to anticipated changes in the mix of investments and/or notes receivable as a result of normal business activities. 

4. Notes receivable, net:

The Company has various notes receivable from borrowers who have financed the purchase of equipment through the Company. The terms of the notes receivable are from 24 to 42 months and bear interest at implicit or stated rates ranging from 11.38% to 15.92% per annum. The notes are secured by the equipment financed and have maturity dates ranging from 2020 through 2022.    

At  December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no notes receivable on non-accrual status.

As of December 31, 2019, the minimum future payments receivable were as follows (in thousands):

5. Allowance for credit losses:

The Company’s allowance for credit losses were as follows (in thousands):

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable represent the amounts billed under notes receivable which are currently due to the Company.

Allowances for doubtful accounts are typically established based upon their aging and historical charge off and collection experience and the creditworthiness of specifically identified borrowers, and invoiced amounts. Accounts receivable deemed uncollectible are generally charged off against the allowance on a specific identification basis. Recoveries of amounts that were previously written-off are recorded as other income in the period received.

Accounts receivable are generally placed in a non-accrual status (i.e., no revenue is recognized) when payments are more than 90 days past due. Additionally, management periodically reviews the creditworthiness of companies with note payments outstanding less than 90 days. Based upon management’s judgment, such notes may be placed in non-accrual status. Notes placed on non-accrual status are only returned to an accrual status when the account has been brought current and management believes recovery of the remaining unpaid receivable is probable. All payments received on amounts billed under notes receivable are applied only against outstanding principal balances.

Valuation Adjustments

In addition to the allowance established for delinquent accounts receivable, the total allowance also includes anticipated impairment charges on notes receivable.

Notes are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal and/or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the note agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest when due. If it is determined that a loan is impaired with regard to scheduled payments, the Company will perform an analysis of the note to determine if an impairment valuation reserve is necessary. This analysis considers the estimated cash flows from the note, or the collateral value of the property underlying the note when note repayment is collateral dependent. Any required valuation reserve is charged to earnings when determined; and notes are charged off to the allowance as they are deemed uncollectible.

The Company’s allowance for credit losses and its recorded investment in notes receivable as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):

The Company evaluates the credit quality of its notes receivables on a scale equivalent to the following quality indicators related to corporate risk profiles:

Pass – Any account whose debtor, co-debtor or any guarantor has a credit rating on publicly traded or privately placed debt issues as rated by Moody’s or S&P for either Senior Unsecured debt, Long Term Issuer rating or Issuer rating that are in the tiers of ratings generally recognized by the investment community as constituting an Investment Grade credit rating; or, has been determined by the Manager to be an Investment Grade Equivalent or High Quality Corporate Credit per its Credit Policy or has a Not Rated internal rating by the Manager and the account is not considered by the Chief Credit Officer of the Manager to fall into one of the three risk profiles below.

Special Mention – Any traditional corporate type account with potential weaknesses (e.g. large net losses or major industry downturns) or, any growth capital account that has less than three months of cash as of the end of the calendar quarter to fund their continuing operations. These accounts deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, those potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the Fund’s receivable at some future date.

Substandard – Any account that is inadequately protected by the current worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Accounts that are so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Fund will sustain some loss as the likelihood of fully collecting all receivables may be questionable if the deficiencies are not corrected. Such accounts are on the Manager’s Credit Watch List.

Doubtful – Any account where the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. Accordingly, an account that is so classified is on the Manager’s Credit Watch List, and has been declared in default and the Manager has repossessed, or is attempting to repossess, the equipment it financed. This category includes impaired notes as applicable.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s notes receivables by credit quality indicator and by class of notes receivables were as follows (in thousands):

As of December 31, 2019, there was no impaired investment in notes receivable. 

As of December 31, 2018,  the Company’s impaired investment in notes receivables were as follows (in thousands):