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EX-31.1 - Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.fp0059171_ex311.htm

 

 

 

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period of September 30, 2020 or

 

TRANSITION QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission File Number 333-168195

 

FIRSTHAND TECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

MARYLAND
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

27-3008946
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No)

   

150 Almaden Boulevard, Suite 1250
San Jose, California
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

95113
(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (408) 886-7096

 

Indicate by 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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

☐ Large Accelerated Filer

 

☑ Non-accelerated Filer
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)

☐ Accelerated Filer

 

☐ Smaller Reporting Company

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

Outstanding at September 30, 2020

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

6,893,056

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

2

Item 1. Financial Statements

2

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2019

3

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019, and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019

4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019, and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019

5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019, and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019

6

Consolidated Selected Per Share Data and Ratios for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 (Unaudited), for the Year Ended December 31, 2019, for the Year Ended December 31, 2018, for the Year Ended December 31, 2017, for the Year Ended December 31, 2016, and for the Year Ended December 31, 2015

7

Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2020 (Unaudited) and for the Year Ended December 31, 2019

9

Consolidated Notes To Financial Statements (Unaudited)

20

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

39

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

46

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

48

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

49

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

50

Item 1A. Risk Factors

50

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

50

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

50

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

50

Item 5. Other Information

50

Item 6. Exhibits

50

SIGNATURES

51

 

1

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Financial Statements

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

2

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

   

AS OF
SEPTEMBER 30,
2020
(UNAUDITED)

   

AS OF
DECEMBER 31,
2019

 

ASSETS

               

Investment securities:

               

Unaffiliated investments at acquisition cost

  $ 4,008,273 *   $ 11,722,468 *

Affiliated investments at acquisition cost

    4,744,427       4,744,427  

Controlled investments at acquisition cost

    132,367,954       127,774,164  

Total acquisition cost

  $ 141,120,654     $ 144,241,059  

Unaffiliated investments at market value

  $ 3,465,313 *   $ 7,364,183 *

Affiliated investments at market value

    6,278,258       5,715,273  

Controlled investments at market value

    85,726,919       107,475,131  

Total market value ** (Note 6)

    95,470,490       120,554,587  

Cash

    19,726        

Receivable from dividends and interest

    4,956,857       2,507,714  

Deferred tax benefit

          7,842,583  

Other assets

    11,965       21,800  

Total Assets

    100,459,038       130,926,684  

LIABILITIES

               

Payable to affiliates (Note 4)

    5,044,162       3,461,822  

Consulting fee payable

    30,500       16,500  

Accrued expenses and other payables

    177,566       358,971  

Total Liabilities

    5,252,228       3,837,293  

NET ASSETS

  $ 95,206,810     $ 127,089,391  
                 

Net Assets consist of:

               

Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share 100,000,000 shares authorized

  $ 6,893     $ 7,179  

Paid-in-capital

    176,770,722       178,770,434  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

    (81,570,805 )     (51,688,222 )

NET ASSETS

  $ 95,206,810     $ 127,089,391  
                 

Shares of Common Stock outstanding

    7,016,432       7,302,146  

Shares of Treasury Stock outstanding

    (123,376 )     (123,376 )

Total Shares of Common Stock outstanding

    6,893,056       7,178,770  

Net asset value per share (Note 2)

  $ 13.81     $ 17.70  

 

*

Includes Fidelity Investment Money Market Treasury Portfolio - Class I, which invests primarily in U.S. Treasury securities. The yields as of 09/30/20 and 12/31/19 were 0.01% and 1.50% respectively. Please see https://fundresearch.fidelity.com/mutual-funds/summary/316175504 for additional information.

 

**

Includes warrants whose primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

3

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

   

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED

   

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED

 
   

SEPTEMBER 30,
2020

   

SEPTEMBER 30,
2019

   

SEPTEMBER 30,
2020

   

SEPTEMBER 30,
2019

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

                               

Unaffiliated interest

  $ 9,201     $ 7,579     $ 13,048     $ 33,929  

Affiliated/Controlled interest

    1,059,453       392,826       2,749,657       866,833  

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

    1,068,654       400,405       2,762,705       900,762  

EXPENSES

                               

Investment advisory fees (Note 4)

    518,983       774,945       1,493,418       2,716,206  

Administration fees

    24,892       36,840       88,792       108,375  

Custody fees

    2,962       4,215       9,763       11,664  

Transfer agent fees

    7,761       8,947       23,872       26,275  

Registration and filing fees

    7,968       7,738       23,732       22,962  

Professional fees

    128,497       92,758       298,262       275,184  

Printing fees

    26,452       9,354       78,780       43,733  

Trustees fees

    50,000       50,000       150,000       150,000  

Compliance fees

    29,857       29,939       88,923       88,841  

Miscellaneous fees

    9,243       2,889       32,132       46,833  

TOTAL GROSS EXPENSES

    806,615       1,017,625       2,287,674       3,490,073  

Incentive fee adjustments (Note 4)

                      (9,261,847 )

TOTAL NET EXPENSES

    806,615       1,017,625       2,287,674       (5,771,774 )

NET INVESTMENT INCOME/(LOSS), BEFORE TAXES

    262,039       (617,220 )     475,031       6,672,536  

Deferred tax benefit

          172,698             690,897  

Net Investment Income/(Loss), Net of Deferred Taxes

    262,039       (444,522 )     475,031       7,363,433  

Net Realized and Unrealized (Loss) on Investments:

                               

Net realized gains (losses) from security transactions on:

                               

Affiliated/Controlled

    835,463       2,117,628       835,463       (2,498,193 )

Non-affiliated and other assets

    5,262       (712,819 )     (1,386,804 )     3,058,364  

Written options

                      98,590  

Deferred tax benefit/expenses

          (336,521 )     (5,816,064 )     (221,778 )

Net realized gains (losses), net of deferred taxes

    840,725       1,068,288       (6,367,405 )     436,983  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

                               

Non-affiliated investments

    1,105       (435,035 )     3,815,325       (6,035,342 )

Affiliated/controlled investments and foreign currency

    (6,994,528 )     (9,932,151 )     (22,569,950 )     (51,499,088 )

Affiliated/controlled warrants investments (1)

    (217,622 )     2,393,291       (3,209,067 )     (4,542,596 )

Deferred tax benefit/expenses

          1,806,944       (2,026,517 )     14,528,855  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net of deferred taxes

    (7,211,045 )     (6,166,951 )     (23,990,209 )     (47,548,171 )

Net Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments, Net of Deferred Taxes

    (6,370,320 )     (5,098,663 )     (30,357,614 )     (47,111,188 )

Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting From Operations, Net of Deferred Taxes

  $ (6,108,281 )   $ (5,543,185 )   $ (29,882,583 )   $ (39,747,755 )

Net Increase/(Decrease) In Net Assets Per Share Resulting From Operations (2)

  $ (0.89 )   $ (0.78 )   $ (4.30 )   $ (5.54 )

 

(1)

Primary risk exposure is equity contracts.

 

(2)

Per share results are calculated based on weighted average shares outstanding for each period.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

4

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

   

FOR THE
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER,
2020

   

FOR THE
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER,
2019

   

FOR THE
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER,
2020

   

FOR THE
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER,
2019

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

                               

Net increase (decrease) in Net Assets resulting from operations

  $ (6,108,281 )   $ (5,543,185 )   $ (29,882,583 )   $ (39,747,755 )

Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in Net Assets derived from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

                               

Purchases of investments

    (9,978,559 )     (1,651,410 )     (13,618,559 )     (21,111,150 )

Proceeds from disposition of investments

    15,145,494       15,757,730       18,969,294       41,743,824  

Net purchases / sales from short-term investments

    (5,006,357 )     (13,848,862 )     (2,781,671 )     (20,878,499 )

Increase (decrease) in dividends, interest, and reclaims receivable

    (965,167 )     (293,381 )     (2,449,143 )     540,668  

Increase (decrease) in receivable in investment sold

          311,904             1,005  

Increase (decrease) in payable for investment purchased

    (13,151 )     (365,783 )           (365,783 )

Increase (decrease) in payable to affiliates

    548,840       688,116       1,582,340       2,688,278  

Increase (decrease) in incentive fees payable

                      (9,261,847 )

Increase (decrease) in other assets

    13,946       12,883       9,835       7,530  

Decrease (increase) in accrued expenses and other payables

    12,641       5,201       (167,405 )     (17,657 )

Increase (decrease) in deferred tax benefit

          (1,643,123 )     7,842,583       (14,997,976 )

Net realized gain (loss) from investments

    (840,725 )     (1,404,809 )     551,341       (560,171 )

Net realized gain from written options

                      (98,590 )

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments, other assets, and warrants transactions

    7,211,045       7,973,896       21,963,692       62,077,027  

Net cash (used in) operating activities

    19,726       (823 )     2,019,724       18,904  
                                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

                               

Cost of shares repurchased

                (1,999,998 )      

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

                (1,999,998 )      
                                 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

    19,726       (823 )     19,726       18,904  

Cash - beginning of period

          19,727              

Cash - end of period

  $ 19,726     $ 18,904     $ 19,726     $ 18,904  

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

5

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)

 

   

FOR THE
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
2020

   

FOR THE
THREE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
2019

   

FOR THE
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
2020

   

FOR THE
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
2019

 

FROM OPERATIONS:

                               

Net investment income (loss), net of deferred taxes

  $ 262,039     $ (444,522 )   $ 475,031     $ 7,363,433  

Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions, written options and warrants transactions, net of deferred taxes

    840,725       1,068,288       (6,367,405 )     436,983  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, written options and warrants transactions, net of deferred taxes

    (7,211,045 )     (6,166,951 )     (23,990,209 )     (47,548,171 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

    (6,108,281 )     (5,543,185 )     (29,882,583 )     (39,747,755 )
                                 

FROM CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

                               

Value for shares repurchased

                (1,999,998 )      

TOTAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

    (6,108,281 )     (5,543,185 )     (31,882,581 )     (39,747,755 )
                                 

NET ASSETS:

                               

Beginning of period

    101,315,091       157,413,389       127,089,391       191,617,959  

End of period

  $ 95,206,810     $ 151,870,204     $ 95,206,810     $ 151,870,204  
                                 

COMMON STOCK ACTIVITY:

                               

Shares redeemed

                (285,714 )      

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

                (285,714 )      

Shares outstanding, beginning of period

    6,893,056       7,178,770       7,178,770       7,178,770  

Shares outstanding, end of period

    6,893,056       7,178,770       6,893,056       7,178,770  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

6

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Financial Highlights
Selected per share data and ratios for a share outstanding throughout each period

 

   

FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
2020
(UNAUDITED)

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2019

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2018

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2017

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2016

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2015

 

Net asset value at beginning of period

  $ 17.70     $ 26.69     $ 23.83     $ 20.04     $ 22.79     $ 24.49  

Income from investment operations:

                                               

Net investment income (loss), before deferred taxes

    0.07 (1)      0.90 (1)      (1.29 )(1)     (0.62 )     (0.52 )     (0.06 )(1)

Deferred tax benefit

          (0.08 )     0.07                    

Net investment gain (losses)

    0.07       0.82       (1.22 )     (0.62 )     (0.52 )     (0.06 )

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments, before deferred taxes

    (3.29 )     (12.15 )     5.13       4.21       (2.76 )     (1.78 )

Deferred tax expense

    (1.13 )     2.34       (1.23 )                  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (4.42 )     (9.81 )     3.90       4.21       (2.76 )     (1.78 )

Total from investment operations

    (4.35 )     (8.99 )     2.68       3.59       (3.28 )     (1.84 )
                                                 

Distributions from:

                                               

Realized capital gains

                (0.03 )                  

Anti-dilutive effect from capital share transactions

    0.46             0.21       0.20       0.53       0.14  

Net asset value at end of period

  $ 13.81     $ 17.70     $ 26.69     $ 23.83     $ 20.04     $ 22.79  
                                                 

Market value at end of period

  $ 4.13     $ 6.43     $ 11.20     $ 8.96     $ 7.67     $ 8.17  
                                                 

Total return

                                               

Based on Net Asset Value

    (21.98 )%(A)     (33.68 )%     12.39 %     18.91 %     (12.07 )%     (6.94 )%

Based on Market Value

    (35.77 )%(A)     (42.59 )%     25.43 %     16.82 %     (6.12 )%     (56.19 )%

Net assets at end of period (millions)

  $ 95.2     $ 127.1     $ 191.6     $ 174.0     $ 148.9     $ 175.6  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

7

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Financial Highlights - continued
Selected per share data and ratios for a share outstanding throughout each period

 

   

FOR THE NINE
MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30,
2020
(UNAUDITED)

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2019

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2018

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2017

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2016

   

FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2015

 

Ratio of total expenses to average net assets:

                                               

Before tax (benefit)/expense

    3.14 %(B)     (2.84 )%(2)     6.75 %(2)     4.13 %(2)     2.90 %     1.36 %(2)

Deferred tax (benefit)/expense (3)(4)

    10.75 %(B)     (9.91 )%     4.43 %                  

Total expenses

    13.89 %(B)     (12.75 )%(2)     11.18 %(2)     4.13 %     2.90 %     1.36 %

Total expenses, excluding incentive fees and deferred tax expense

    3.14 %(B)     2.80 %     2.77 %     2.98 %     2.90 %     2.68 %

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets:

                                               

Before tax benefit

    0.65 %(B)     3.93 %(2)     (4.93 )%(2)     (3.07 )%     (2.36 )%     (0.24 )%

Deferred tax benefit (4)(5)

    (B)      (0.33 )%     0.28 %                  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.65 %(B)     3.60 %     (4.65 )%     (3.07 )%     (2.36 )%     (0.24 )%

Portfolio turnover rate

    4 %(A)     18 %     44 %     22 %     49 %     22 %

 

(1)

Calculated using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Amount includes the incentive fee. For the years ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2015 the ratio of the incentive fee to average net assets was (5.64)%, 3.98%, 1.15% and (1.32)%, respectively.

 

(3)

Deferred tax expense estimate is derived from net investment income (loss), and realized and unrealized gains (losses).

 

(4)

The deferred tax expense and tax benefit are allocated based on average net assets.

 

(5)

Deferred tax benefit estimate for the ratio calculation is derived from net investment income (loss) only.

 

(A)

Not Annualized.

 

(B)

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

8

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

EQX CAPITAL, INC.

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    6/10/2016       100,000     $ 20,000     $ 28,800  

(2.4%)

Equipment Leasing

Preferred Stock - Series A *(1)(2)(4)

    6/10/2016       2,800,000       2,800,000       2,241,120  
                                2,269,920  
                                   

HERA SYSTEMS, INC. (4.4%) Aerospace

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    5/31/2018       500,000       500,000       500,000  
 

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    1/19/2018       500,000       500,000       500,000  
 

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    3/23/2020       250,000       250,000       250,000  
 

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    6/26/2020       200,000       200,000       200,000  
 

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    4/29/2020       40,000       40,000       40,000  
 

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    5/29/2020       20,000       20,000       20,000  
 

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    8/6/2020       220,000       220,000       220,000  
 

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    9/10/2020       150,000       150,000       150,000  
 

Preferred Stock - Series A *(1)(2)(4)

    9/18/2015       3,642,324       2,000,000       33,145  
 

Preferred Stock - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    8/07/2017 - 2/1/2019       7,039,203       6,587,102       474,442  
 

Preferred Stock - Series C *(1)(2)(4)

    8/7/2019-2/12/2020       2,650,000       2,650,000       178,610  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    7/9/2018 - 9/4/2018       12,250,000       0       824,303  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

9

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

HERA SYSTEMS, INC.

(continued)

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    2/1/2019       5,250,000     $ 0     $ 353,273  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    8/7/2017       6,214,922       0       418,202  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    9/28/2017       700,000       0       47,103  
                                4,209,078  
                                   

INTRAOP MEDICAL CORP. (23.3%) Medical Devices

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    12/31/2018       10,961,129       10,961,129       10,961,129  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    7/12/2019       1,300,000       1,300,000       1,300,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    10/11/2019       500,000       500,000       500,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    10/29/2019       500,000       500,000       500,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    2/27/2020       1,000,000       1,000,000       1,000,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    3/25/2020       500,000       500,000       500,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    5/8/2020       400,000       400,000       400,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    7/31/2020       500,000       500,000       500,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    8/28/2020       750,000       750,000       750,000  
 

Preferred Stock - Series C *(1)(2)(4)

    7/12/2013       26,856,187       26,299,938       736,665  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

10

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

INTRAOP MEDICAL CORP.

(continued)

Term Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 8% (1)(2)(4)

    2/28/2014       3,000,000     $ 3,000,000     $ 3,000,000  
 

Term Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 8% (1)(2)(4)

    2/10/2017       2,000,000       2,000,000       2,000,000  
                                22,147,794  
                                   

KYMA, INC.

(0.1%)

Advanced Materials

Convertible Note Matures March 2021 Interest Rate 10% (1)(4)

    3/11/2019       100,000       100,000       100,000  
                                   

LYNCEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(1.0%)

Preferred Stock - Series B *(1)(4)

    7/3/2018       869,792       1,000,000       977,037  

Semiconductor Equipment

                                 
                                   

PHUNWARE, INC.

(0.1%)

Common Stock*

    3/14/2014       82,913       554,560       75,865  

Mobile Computing

                                 
                                   

PIVOTAL SYSTEMS CORP. (30.7%)

CDIs *(2)

    11/28/2012 - 9/2/2016       38,090,506       7,498,348       29,192,099  

Semiconductor Equipment

                                 
                                   

QUICKLOGIC CORP.

(0.0%)

Common Stock *

    12/27/2016 - 11/09/2017       2,857       50,187       8,885  

Semiconductors

                                 
                                   

REVASUM, INC. (8.0%)

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    11/14/2016 - 11/30/2018       46,834,340       13,512,264       7,570,605  

Semiconductor Equipment

                                 
                                   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

11

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

SILICON GENESIS CORP. (1.5%)

Preferred Stock - Series 1-E *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       5,704,480     $ 2,372,403     $ 621,218  

Intellectual Property

Preferred Stock - Series 1-C *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       82,914       109,518       4,187  
 

Preferred Stock - Series 1-D *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       850,830       431,901       11,061  
 

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       921,892       169,045       553  
 

Common Stock Warrants *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       37,982       6,678       8  
 

Preferred Stock - Series 1-F *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       912,453       456,389       137,233  
 

Common Stock Warrants *(1)(2)(4)

    10/13/2011       5,000,000       0       140  
 

Common Stock Warrants *(1)(2)(4)

    2/6/2012       3,000,000       0       84  
 

Preferred Stock - Series 1-G *(1)(2)(4)

    3/10/2016       48,370,793       3,880,592       620,534  
 

Preferred Stock - Series 1-H *(1)(2)(4)

    3/10/2016       837,942       936,895       68,627  
                                1,463,645  
                                   

SVXR, INC.

(5.6%)

Preferred Stock - Series A *(1)(3)(4)

    1/11/2017 - 8/29/2018       8,219,454       4,082,192       5,374,208  

Semiconductor Equipment

                                 
                                   

TELEPATHY INVESTORS, INC.

Preferred Stock - Series A *(1)(2)(4)

    7/29/2014       15,238,000       3,999,999       0  

(0.0%)

Consumer Electronics

Convertible Note Matures June 2021 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    4/20/2016       500,000       500,000       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures June 2021 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    6/23/2015       2,000,000       2,000,000       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures June 2021 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    5/3/2017       300,000       300,000       0  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

12

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

TELEPATHY INVESTORS, INC.

(continued)

Convertible Note Matures June 2021 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    9/7/2018       200,000     $ 200,000     $ 0  
 

Convertible Note Matures June 2021 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    1/29/2016       300,000       300,000       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures June 2021 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    12/13/2016       500,000       500,000       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures June 2021 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    6/21/2016       150,000       150,000       0  
                                0  
                                   

UCT COATINGS, INC.

(1.0%)

Common Stock *(1)(3)(4)

    4/18/2011       1,500,000       662,235       904,050  

Advanced Materials

                                 
                                   

WRIGHTSPEED, INC.

(19.8%)

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019       69,102       7,460,851       7,194  

Automotive

Common Stock Warrants *(1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019       181       0       11  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2021 Interest Rate 12% (1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019       4,929,015       4,929,015       4,929,015  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2021 Interest Rate 12% (1)(2)(4)

    8/12/2020       750,000       750,000       750,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2021 Interest Rate 12% (1)(2)(4)

    9/10/2020       900,000       900,000       900,000  
 

Preferred Stock - Series AA *(1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019 - 7/20/2020       60,733,693       17,355,887       12,201,399  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series AA *(1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019       609,756       0       86,159  
                                18,873,778  
                                   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

13

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY (2.4%)

Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Portfolio - Class I (5)

    Various       2,303,526     $ 2,303,526     $ 2,303,526  
                                   

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $141,120,654) — 100.3%

                              95,470,490  
                                   

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS — (0.3%)

                              (263,680 )
                                   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

                            $ 95,206,810  

 

*

Non-income producing security.

CDI CHESS Depositary Interests

(1)

Restricted security. Fair Value is determined by or under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors (See note 3). At September 30, 2020, we held $63,890,115 (or 67.1% of net assets) in restricted securities (see Note 2).

(2)

Controlled investments.

(3)

Affiliated issuer.

(4)

Fair Value Level 3 security.

(5)

The Fidelity Investments Money Market Portfolio invests primarily in U.S. Treasury securities.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

14

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

 

DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

EQX CAPITAL, INC.

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    6/10/2016       100,000     $ 20,000     $ 28,990  

(2.0%) Equipment Leasing

Preferred Stock - Series A *(1)(2)(4)

    6/10/2016       3,200,000       3,200,000       2,490,880  
                                2,519,870  
                                   

HERA SYSTEMS, INC. (6.3%) Aerospace

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    5/31/2018       500,000       500,000       500,000  
 

Convertible Promissory Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    1/19/2018       500,000       500,000       500,000  
 

Preferred Stock - Series A *(1)(2)(4)

    9/18/2015       3,642,324       2,000,000       247,314  
 

Preferred Stock - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    8/07/17 - 2/1/19       7,039,203       6,587,102       1,397,282  
 

Preferred Stock - Series C *(1)(2)(4)

    8/7/2019-11/12/19       2,400,000       2,400,000       476,400  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    7/9/18 - 9/4/18       12,250,000       0       2,430,890  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    2/1/2019       5,250,000       0       1,041,810  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    8/7/2017       6,214,922       0       1,233,289  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series B *(1)(2)(4)

    9/28/2017       700,000       0       138,908  
                                7,965,893  
                                   

INTRAOP MEDICAL CORP. (14.9%) Medical Devices

Convertible Note Matures June 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    12/31/2018       10,961,129       10,961,129       10,961,129  
 

Convertible Note Matures June 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    7/12/2019       1,300,000       1,300,000       1,300,000  
 

Convertible Note Matures June 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    10/11/2019       500,000       500,000       500,000  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

15

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

INTRAOP MEDICAL CORP.

(continued)

Convertible Note Matures June 2020 Interest Rate 15% (1)(2)(4)

    10/29/2019       500,000     $ 500,000     $ 500,000  
 

Preferred Stock - Series C *(1)(2)(4)

    7/12/2013       26,856,187       26,299,938       702,826  
 

Term Note Matures February 2020 Interest Rate 8% (1)(2)(4)

    2/28/2014       3,000,000       3,000,000       3,000,000  
 

Term Note Matures February 2020 Interest Rate 8% (1)(2)(4)

    2/10/2017       2,000,000       2,000,000       2,000,000  
                                18,963,955  
                                   

KYMA, INC. (0.1%) Advanced Materials

Convertible Note Matures March 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(4)

    3/11/2019       100,000       100,000       100,000  
                                   
                                   
                                   

LYNCEAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (0.8%)

Preferred Stock - Series B *(1)(4)

    7/3/2018       869,792       1,000,000       992,520  

Semiconductor Equipment

                                 
                                   

PHUNWARE, INC. (0.6%)

Common Stock*

    3/14/2014       682,913       4,567,633       812,666  

Mobile Computing

                                 
                                   

PIVOTAL SYSTEMS CORP. (32.8%)

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    11/28/12 - 9/2/16       45,090,506       12,294,557       41,670,037  

Semiconductor Equipment

                                 
                                   
                                   

QUICKLOGIC CORP. (0.2%)

Common Stock *

    12/27/16 - 11/09/17       42,857       852,980       257,142  

Semiconductors

                                 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

16

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

REVASUM, INC. (15.1%)

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    11/14/16 - 11/30/18       46,834,340     $ 13,512,264     $ 19,173,339  

Semiconductor Equipment

                                 
                                   

SILICON GENESIS CORP. (1.2%)

Preferred Stock - Series 1-E *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       5,704,480       2,372,403       645,177  

Intellectual Property

Preferred Stock - Series 1-C *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       82,914       109,518       5,157  
 

Preferred Stock - Series 1-D *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       850,830       431,901       13,699  
 

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       921,892       169,045       645  
 

Common Stock Warrants *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       37,982       6,678       11  
 

Preferred Stock - Series 1-F *(1)(2)(4)

    4/18/2011       912,453       456,389       142,434  
 

Common Stock Warrants *(1)(2)(4)

    10/13/2011       5,000,000       0       2,000  
 

Common Stock Warrants *(1)(2)(4)

    2/6/2012       3,000,000       0       1,200  
 

Preferred Stock - Series 1-G *(1)(2)(4)

    3/10/2016       48,370,793       3,880,592       651,458  
 

Preferred Stock - Series 1-H *(1)(2)(4)

    3/10/2016       837,942       936,895       71,309  
                                1,533,090  
                                   

SVXR, INC. (3.8%) Semiconductor Equipment

Preferred Stock - Series A *(1)(3)(4)

    1/11/17 - 8/29/18       8,219,454       4,082,192       4,881,123  
                                   

TELEPATHY INVESTORS, INC. (0.0%)

Preferred Stock - Series A *(1)(2)(4)

    7/29/2014       15,238,000       3,999,999       0  

Consumer Electronics

Convertible Note Matures March 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    4/20/2016       500,000       500,000       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures March 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    6/23/2015       2,000,000       2,000,000       0  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

17

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

TELEPATHY INVESTORS, INC.

(continued)

Convertible Note Matures March 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    5/3/2017       300,000     $ 300,000     $ 0  
 

Convertible Note Matures March 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    9/7/2018       200,000       200,000       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures March 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    1/29/2016       300,000       300,000       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures March 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    12/13/2016       500,000       500,000       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures March 2020 Interest Rate 10% (1)(2)(4)

    6/21/2016       150,000       150,000       0  
                                0  
                                   

UCT COATINGS, INC. (0.7%)

Common Stock *(1)(3)(4)

    4/18/2011       1,500,000       662,235       834,150  

Advanced Materials

                                 
                                   

WRIGHTSPEED, INC.

Common Stock *(1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019       69,102       7,460,851       3,980  

(12.3%) Automotive

Common Stock Warrants *(1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019       181       0       0  
 

Convertible Note Matures December 2020 Interest Rate 12% (1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019       4,929,015       4,929,015       4,929,015  
 

Preferred Stock - Series AA *(1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019 - 9/25/2019       47,284,219       13,495,888       10,625,710  
 

Preferred Stock Warrants - Series AA *(1)(2)(4)

    6/7/2019       609,756       0       90,242  
                                15,648,947  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

18

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments - continued

 

DECEMBER 31, 2019

 

PORTFOLIO
COMPANY
(% OF NET
ASSETS)
AND INDUSTRY

TYPE OF INVESTMENT

 

ACQUISITION DATE

   

SHARES/PAR
VALUE ($)

   

COST BASIS

   

VALUE

 

INVESTMENT COMPANY (4.1%)

Fidelity Investments Money Market Treasury Portfolio - Class I (5)

    Various       5,201,855     $ 5,201,855     $ 5,201,855  

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (Cost $144,241,059) — 94.9%

                              120,554,587  
                                   

OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES— 5.1%

                              6,534,804  
                                   

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

                            $ 127,089,391  

 

*

Non-income producing security.

(1)

Restricted security. Fair Value is determined by or under the direction of the Company’s Board of Directors (See note 3). At December 31, 2019, we held $114,282,924 (or 89.9% of net assets) in restricted securities (see Note 2).

(2)

Controlled investments.

(3)

Affiliated issuer.

(4)

Fair Value Level 3 security.

(5)

The Fidelity Investments Money Market Portfolio invests primarily in U.S. Treasury securities.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements

19

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1. THE COMPANY

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc. (the “Company,” the “Fund,” “us,” “our,” and “we”), is a Maryland corporation and an externally managed, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Company acquired its initial portfolio of securities through the reorganization of Firsthand Technology Value Fund, a series of Firsthand Funds, into the Company. The reorganization was completed on April 15, 2011. The Company commenced operations on April 18th, 2011. Under normal circumstances, the Company will invest at least 80% of its assets for investment purposes in technology companies, which are considered to be those companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from products and/ or services within the information technology sector or the “cleantech” sector. Information technology companies include, but are not limited to, those focused on computer hardware, software, telecommunications, networking, Internet, and consumer electronics. While there is no standard definition of cleantech, it is generally regarded as including goods and services designed to harness renewable energy and materials, eliminate emissions and waste, and reduce the use of natural resources. In addition, under normal circumstances we will invest at least 70% of our assets in privately held companies and in public companies with market capitalizations less than $250 million. Our portfolio is primarily composed of equity and equity derivative securities of technology and cleantech companies (as defined above). These investments generally range between $1 million and $10 million each, although the investment size will vary proportionately with the size of the Company’s capital base. The Company’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “SVVC.” Firsthand Capital Management, Inc., which was previously known as SiVest Group, Inc. (“FCM” or the “Advisor”), serves as the investment adviser to the Company.

 

The Company is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

 

CONSOLIDATION OF SUBSIDIARIES. On May 8, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the formation of a fully owned and controlled subsidiary (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Company named Firsthand Venture Investors (“FVI”), a California general partnership formed on March 30, 2015. After the close of business on June 30, 2015, the Company contributed substantially all of its assets to FVI in return for a controlling general partner ownership interest in FVI. The transaction was completed on July 1, 2015. Under this structure, we have all or substantially all of our investment activities conducted through our fully owned subsidiary, FVI.

 

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, with the approval of its Board of Directors, the Company organized three separate fully owned and controlled subsidiaries (as defined by the 1940 Act). Each subsidiary was a Cayman Islands corporation and the financial statements of each subsidiary were reported on a consolidated basis with the Company. Each subsidiary was formed for the purpose of holding one or more investments made by the Company, and was treated as a controlled foreign corporation under the Internal Revenue Code not separately subject to U.S. federal income tax. FVI was treated as the sole U.S. shareholder of each subsidiary.

 

The Board of Directors of the Company approved the liquidation of those three Cayman subsidiaries on November 2, 2018. That liquidation was completed on December 27, 2018.

 

20

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements included in this report:

 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) pursuant to the requirements on Form 10-K. ASC 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (“ASC 946”), and Articles 6, 10 and 12 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements for the periods presented, have been included.

 

Under the 1940 Act, ASC 946, and the regulations pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation S-X, we are precluded from consolidating any entity other than another investment company or an operating company which provides substantially all of its services to benefit us. Consequentially, as of December 31, 2018, the Company consolidated some special purpose entities. These special purpose entities only hold investments of the Company and have no other significant asset and liabilities. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT VALUATIONS. Investments are stated at “value” as defined in the 1940 Act and in the applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in accordance with GAAP. Value, as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the 1940 Act, is (i) the market value of those securities for which a market quotation is readily available and (ii) the fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors for all other securities and assets. On September 30, 2020, our financial statements include venture capital investments valued at approximately $56.3 million. The fair values of our venture capital investments were determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board. Upon sale of these investments, the values that are ultimately realized may be different from what is presently estimated. The difference could be material. Also see note 6 regarding the fair value of the company’s investments.

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. The Company considers liquid assets deposited with a bank, investments in money market funds, and certain short-term debt instruments with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These investments represent amounts held with financial institutions that are readily accessible to pay our expenses or purchase investments. Cash and cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates market value.

 

RESTRICTED SECURITIES. At September 30, 2020, we held $63,890,115 in restricted securities. At December 31, 2019, we held $114,282,924 in restricted securities.

 

INCOME RECOGNITION. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued as earned. Discounts and premiums on securities purchased are amortized over the lives of the respective securities. Other non-cash dividends are recognized as investment income at the fair value of the property received. When debt securities are determined to be non-income producing, the Company ceases accruing interest and writes off any previously accrued interest. These write-offs are recorded as a debit to interest income.

 

21

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

SHARE VALUATION. The net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund is calculated by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by the Fund, plus cash or other assets, minus all liabilities (including estimated accrued expenses) by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund, rounded to the nearest cent.

 

REALIZED GAIN OR LOSS AND UNREALIZED APPRECIATION OR DEPRECIATION OF PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS. A realized gain or loss is recognized when an investment is disposed of and is computed as the difference between the Company’s cost basis in the investment at the disposition date and the net proceeds received from such disposition. Realized gains and losses are calculated on a specific identification basis. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation is computed as the difference between the fair value of the investment and the cost basis of such investment.

 

INCOME TAXES. The Company provides for state and federal corporate income tax, as appropriate, because it is regarded as a corporation under Subchapter C of the Code. The Company recognizes interest and penalties in income tax expense.

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION. The accounting records of the Company are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the foreign exchange rate on the date of valuation. The Company does not isolate that portion of the results of operation resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. The Company’s investments in foreign securities may involve certain risks, including without limitation: foreign exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social, or economic risks, all of which could affect the market and/or credit risk of the investment. In addition, changes in the relationship of foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of these investments and therefore the earnings of the Company.

 

SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS. Securities transactions are accounted for on the date the transaction for the purchase or sale of the securities is entered into by the Company (i.e., trade date).

 

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions and, at times, cash held in checking accounts may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limit.

 

OPTIONS. The Company is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and may enter into options written to hedge against changes in the value of equities. The Company may purchase put and call options to attempt to provide protection against adverse price effects from anticipated changes in prevailing prices of securities or stock indices. The Company may also write put and call options. When the Company writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Company is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current fair value of the option written.

 

Premiums received from writing options that expire unexercised are treated by the Company on the expiration date as realized gains from investments. The difference between the premium and the amount paid on effecting a closing purchase transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain, or, if the premium is less than the amount paid for the closing purchase transaction, as a realized loss. If a call option is exercised, the premium is added to the proceeds from the sale of the underlying security or currency in determining whether the Company has realized a gain or loss. The Company as writer of an option bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.

 

22

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

The average monthly volume of the Company’s derivatives during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 is as follows:

 

 

PURCHASED OPTIONS
(CONTRACTS)

WARRANTS
(NOTIONAL VALUE)

WRITTEN OPTIONS
(CONTRACTS)

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

2,996,849

 

NOTE 3. BUSINESS RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

We plan to invest a substantial portion of our assets in privately-held companies, the securities of which are inherently illiquid. We also seek to invest in small publicly-traded companies that we believe have exceptional growth potential and to make opportunistic investments in publicly-traded companies, both large and small. In the case of investments in small publicly-traded companies, although these companies are publicly traded, their stock may not trade at high volumes, and prices can be volatile, which may restrict our ability to sell our positions. We may also be subject to contractual restrictions or securities law limits on our ability to sell portfolio holdings because of, for example, our affiliation with a portfolio company or the relative size of our holding in a company. These privately held and publicly traded businesses tend to lack management depth, have limited or no history of operations and typically have not attained profitability. Because of the speculative nature of our investments and the lack of public markets for privately held investments, there is greater risk of loss than is the case with traditional investment securities.

 

We do not choose investments based on a strategy of diversification. We also do not rebalance the portfolio should one of our portfolio companies increase in value substantially relative to the rest of the portfolio. Therefore, the value of our portfolio may be more vulnerable to events affecting a single sector, industry or portfolio company and, therefore, may be subject to greater volatility than a company that follows a diversification strategy.

 

Because there is typically no public or readily-ascertainable market for our interests in the small privately-held companies in which we invest, the valuation of those securities is determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee, comprised of all members of the Board who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, in accordance with our Valuation Procedures and is subject to significant estimates and judgments. The determined value of the securities in our portfolio may differ significantly from the values that would be placed on these securities if a ready market for the securities existed. Any changes in valuation are recorded in our Statement of Operations as “Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation on investments.” Changes in valuation of any of our investments in privately-held companies from one period to another may be volatile.

 

The Board has engaged an independent valuation firm to provide it with valuation assistance with respect to certain of our portfolio investments. The Company intends to continue to engage an independent valuation firm to provide us with assistance regarding our determination of the fair value of select portfolio investments each quarter unless directed by the Board to cancel such valuation services. The scope of the services rendered by an independent valuation firm is at the discretion of the Board. The Board is ultimately and solely responsible for determining the fair value of the Company’s investments in good faith.

 

With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available or when such market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value, the Board has approved a multi-step valuation process to be followed each quarter, as described below:

 

 

(1)

each quarter the valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially valued by the Adviser Valuation Committee or the independent valuation firm;

 

23

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

 

(2)

the Valuation Committee of the Board on a quarterly basis reviews the preliminary valuation of the Adviser Valuation Committee and that of the independent valuation firms and makes the fair value determination, in good faith, based on the valuation recommendations of the Adviser Valuation Committee and the independent valuation firms; and

 

 

(3)

at each quarterly Board meeting, the Board considers the valuations recommended by the Adviser Valuation Committee and the independent valuation firms that were previously submitted to the Valuation Committee of the Board and ratifies the fair value determinations made by the Valuation Committee of the Board.

 

NOTE 4. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE

 

The Company has entered into an investment management agreement (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with FCM pursuant to which the Company will pay FCM a fee for providing investment management services consisting of two components—a base management fee and an incentive fee.

 

The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 2.00% of our gross assets. For services rendered under the Investment Management Agreement, the base management fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee will be calculated based on the average of (1) the value of our gross assets at the end of the current calendar quarter and (2) the value of the Company’s gross assets at the end of the preceding calendar quarter; and will be appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter will be pro-rated.

 

The incentive fee is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Management Agreement, as of the termination date), commencing on April 15, 2011, and equals 20% of the Company’s realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each calendar year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any previously paid incentive fees, provided that the incentive fee determined as of December 31, 2019, will be calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from inception. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, there were no incentive fee adjustments. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, there were no incentive fee adjustments.

 

NOTE 5. DEBT

 

The Company currently has no plan to use leverage and does not have any significant outstanding debt obligations (other than normal operating expense accruals).

 

NOTE 6. FAIR VALUE

 

Securities traded on stock exchanges, or quoted by NASDAQ, are valued according to the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) official closing price, if applicable, or at their last reported sale price as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time). If a security is not traded that day, the security will be valued at its most recent bid price.

 

Securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but not quoted by NASDAQ, are valued at the last sale price (or, if the last sale price is not readily available, at the most recent closing bid price as quoted by brokers that make markets in the securities) at the close of trading on the NYSE.

 

24

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

Securities traded both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market.

 

Securities and other assets that do not have market quotations readily available are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Board in accordance with the Valuation Procedures adopted by the Valuation Committee of the Board.

 

In pricing illiquid, privately placed securities, the Board of Directors is responsible for (1) determining overall valuation guidelines and (2) ensuring that the investments of the Company are valued within the prescribed guidelines.

 

The Valuation Committee, comprised of all of the independent Board members, is responsible for determining the valuation of the Company’s assets within the guidelines established by the Board of Directors. The Valuation Committee receives information and recommendations from the Adviser and an independent valuation firm.

 

The values assigned to these investments are based on available information and do not necessarily represent amounts that might ultimately be realized when that investment is sold, as such amounts depend on future circumstances and cannot reasonably be determined until the individual investments are actually liquidated or become readily marketable.

 

APPROACHES TO DETERMINING FAIR VALUE. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). In effect, GAAP applies fair value terminology to all valuations whereas the 1940 Act applies market value terminology to readily marketable assets and fair value terminology to other assets.

 

The main approaches to measuring fair value utilized are the market approach, the income approach, and the asset-based approach. The choice of which approach to use in a particular situation depends on the specific facts and circumstances associated with the company, as well as the purpose for which the valuation analysis is being conducted. Firsthand and the independent valuation firm rely primarily on the market approach. We also considered the income and asset-based approaches in our analysis because certain of the portfolio companies do not have substantial operating earnings relative to the value of their underlying assets.

 

 

-

Market Approach (M): The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. For example, the market approach often uses market multiples derived from a set of comparables. Multiples might lie in ranges with a different multiple for each comparable. The selection of where within the range each appropriate multiple falls requires the use of judgment in considering factors specific to the measurement (qualitative and quantitative).

 

 

-

Income Approach (I): The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts (for example, cash flows or earnings) to a single present value amount (discounted). The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. Those valuation techniques include present value techniques; option-pricing models, such as the Black-Scholes-Merton formula (a closed-form model) and a binomial model (a lattice model), which incorporate present value techniques; and the multi-period excess earnings method, which is used to measure the fair value of certain assets.

 

 

-

Asset-Based Approach (A): The asset-based approach examines the value of a company’s assets net of its liabilities to derive a value for the equity holders.

 

25

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT. In accordance with the guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board on fair value measurements and disclosures under GAAP, the Company discloses the fair value of its investments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation (Level 3 measurements).

 

The guidance establishes three levels of the fair value hierarchy as follows:

 

 

Level 1 -

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the date of measurement.

 

 

Level 2 -

Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument in an inactive market, prices for similar instruments in an active or inactive market, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, yield curves, default rates, and similar data.

 

 

Level 3 -

Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability based on the best information available.

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Company’s net assets as of September 30, 2020:

 

ASSETS

 

LEVEL 1
QUOTED PRICES

   

LEVEL 2 OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE INPUTS

   

LEVEL 3 SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS

 

Common Stocks

                       

Advanced Materials

  $     $     $ 904,050  

Automotive

                7,194  

Equipment Leasing

                28,800  

Intellectual Property

                553  

Mobile Computing

    75,865              

Semiconductor Equipment

    29,192,099             7,570,605  

Semiconductors

    8,885              

Total Common Stocks

    29,276,849             8,511,202  

 

26

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

ASSETS (continued)

 

LEVEL 1
QUOTED PRICES

   

LEVEL 2 OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE INPUTS

   

LEVEL 3 SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS

 

Preferred Stocks

                       

Aerospace

  $     $     $ 686,197  

Automotive

                12,201,399  

Equipment Leasing

                2,241,120  

Intellectual Property

                1,462,860  

Medical Devices

                736,665  

Semiconductor Equipment

                6,351,245  

Total Preferred Stocks

                23,679,486  

Asset Derivatives *

                       

Equity Contracts

                1,729,283  

Total Asset Derivatives

                1,729,283  

Convertible Notes

                       

Advanced Materials

                100,000  

Aerospace

                1,880,000  

Automotive

                6,579,015  

Medical Devices

                21,411,129  

Total Convertible Notes

                29,970,144  

Mutual Funds

    2,303,526              

Total

  $ 31,580,375     $     $ 63,890,115  

 

* Asset derivatives include warrants.

 

At the end of each calendar quarter, management evaluates the Level 2 and Level 3 assets and liabilities for changes in liquidity, including but not limited to: whether a broker is willing to execute at the quoted price, the depth and consistency of prices from third party services, and the existence of contemporaneous, observable trades in the market. Additionally, management evaluates the Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities on a quarterly basis for changes in listings or delistings on national exchanges.

 

27

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

Following is a reconciliation of Level 3 assets (at either the beginning or the ending of the period) for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.

 

INVESTMENTS AT FAIR
VALUE USING SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS
(LEVEL 3)

 

BALANCE
AS OF
12/31/19

   

NET
PURCHASES/
CONVERSIONS

   

NET
SALES/
CONVERSIONS

   

NET
REALIZED
GAINS/
(LOSSES)

   

NET
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
(1)

   

TRANSFERS
IN (OUT) OF
LEVEL 3

   

BALANCE
AS OF
9/30/2020

 

Common Stocks

                                                       

Advanced Materials

  $ 834,150     $     $     $     $ 69,900     $     $ 904,050  

Automotive

    3,980                         3,214               7,194  

Equipment Leasing

    28,990                         (190 )           28,800  

Intellectual Property

    645                         (92 )           553  

Semiconductor Equipment

    60,843,376             (5,631,672 )     835,463       (19,284,463 )     (29,192,099 )     7,570,605  

Total Common Stocks

    61,711,141             (5,631,672 )     835,463       (19,211,631 )     (29,192,099 )     8,511,202  

Preferred Stocks

                                                       

Aerospace

    2,120,996       250,000                   (1,684,799 )           686,197  

Automotive

    10,625,710       3,859,999                   (2,284,310 )           12,201,399  

Equipment Leasing

    2,490,880             (400,000 )           150,240             2,241,120  

Intellectual Property

    1,529,234                         (66,374 )           1,462,860  

Medical Devices

    702,826                         33,839             736,665  

Semiconductor Equipment

    5,873,643                         477,602             6,351,245  

Total Preferred Stocks

    23,343,289       4,109,999       (400,000 )           (3,373,802 )           23,679,486  

Asset Derivatives

                                                       

Equity Contracts

    4,938,350                         (3,209,067 )           1,729,283  

Total Asset Derivatives

    4,938,350                         (3,209,067 )           1,729,283  

Convertible Notes

                                                       

Advanced Materials

    100,000                                     100,000  

Aerospace

    1,000,000       880,000                               1,880,000  

Automotive

    4,929,015       1,650,000                               6,579,015  

Medical Devices

    18,261,129       3,150,000                               21,411,129  

Total Convertible Notes

    24,290,144       5,680,000                               29,970,144  

Total

  $ 114,282,924     $ 9,789,999     $ (6,031,672 )   $ 835,463     $ (25,794,500 )   $ (29,192,099 )   $ 63,890,115  

 

(1)

The net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from Level 3 instruments held as of September 30, 2020 was $(18,112,771).

 

28

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

The table below represents quantitative disclosure about significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements at September 30, 2020:

 

 

FAIR VALUE
AT 9/30/20

VALUATION TECHNIQUES

UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS

RANGE
(WEIGHTED AVG.)

Direct venture capital investments: Advanced Materials

$1.0M

Market Comparable Companies

Discounted Cash Flow

Option Pricing Model

EBITDA Multiple

Revenue Multiple

Weighted Average Cost of Capital

Years to Maturity

Volatility

Risk-Free Rate

Discount for Lack of Marketability

10.8% - 12.3% (11.6%)

0.7% - 0.9% (0.8%)

21.4% (21.4%)

5 years (5 years)

50.0% (50.0%)

0.28% (0.28%)

22.7% (22.7%)

Direct venture capital investments: Aerospace

$4.2M

Prior Transaction Analysis

Option Pricing Model

Years to Maturity

Volatility

Risk-Free Rate

Going Concern Probability

5 years (5 years)

50.0% (50.0%)

0.28% (0.28%)

30% (30%)

Direct venture capital investments: Automotive

$18.9M

Prior Transaction Analysis

Option Pricing Model

Years to Maturity

Volatility

Risk-Free Rate

Discount for Lack of Marketability

Going Concern Probability

5 years (5 years)

50.0% (50.0%)

0.28% (0.28%)

22.7% (22.7%)

70% (70%)

Direct venture capital investments: Consumer Electronics

$0.0M

Prior Transaction Analysis

Option Pricing Model

Years to Maturity

Volatility

Risk-Free Rate

Discount for Lack of Marketability

Transaction Completion Probability

5 years (5 years)

70.0% (70.0%)

0.28% (0.28%)

44.1% (44.1%)

50%

Direct venture capital investments: Equipment Leasing

$2.3M

Market Comparable Companies

Discounted Cash Flow

Option Pricing Model

EBITDA Multiple

Weighted Average Cost of Capital

Years to Maturity

Volatility

Risk-Free Rate

4.5% - 8.6% (6.4%)

20.0% (20.0%)

5 years (5 years)

50.0% (50.0%)

0.28% (0.28%)

Direct venture capital investments: Intellectual Property

$1.5M

Discounted Cash Flow

Option Pricing Model

Weighted Average Cost of Capital

Years to Maturity

Volatility

Risk-Free Rate

Discount for Lack of Marketability

10.0% (10.0%)

5 years (5 years)

55.0% (55.0%)

0.28% (0.28%)

0.0% - 24.3% (0.0%)

 

29

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

 

FAIR VALUE
AT 9/30/20

VALUATION TECHNIQUES

UNOBSERVABLE INPUTS

RANGE
(WEIGHTED AVG.)

Direct venture capital investments: Medical Devices

$22.1M

Market Comparable Companies

Option Pricing Model

Revenue Multiple

Years to Maturity

Volatility

Risk-Free Rate

2.5x – 3.3x (2.9x)

4 years (4 years)

50% (50%)

0.22% (0.22%)

Direct venture capital investments: Semiconductor Equipment

$13.9M

Prior Transaction Analysis

Option Pricing Model

Years to Maturity

Volatility

Risk-Free Rate

Discount for Lack of Marketability

Adjustment for Market Movement

0 years – 5 years (2.4 years)

40.0% - 107.7% (77.5%)

0.28% (0.28%)

0.0% - 10.2% (5.3%)

0.0% - 1.2% (0.1%)

 

Changes in any of our unobservable inputs, individually, may change the fair value of certain of the Company’s investments.

 

Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Company’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of the Company’s investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that the Company may ultimately realize. Further, such investments are generally subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise are less liquid than publicly traded securities. If the Company was required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, it could realize significantly less than the value at which the Company has recorded it.

 

In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the unrealized gains or losses reflected in the valuations currently assigned.

 

NOTE 7. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

 

Beginning in 2018, we were no longer able to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The increase in value that resulted from the initial public offerings (IPOs) of Pivotal Systems and Revasum meant that we were no longer able to satisfy the diversification requirements for qualification as a RIC. As a result of this change, we were taxed as a corporation for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, and will continue to be taxed in that manner for future fiscal years, paying federal and applicable state corporate taxes on our taxable income, unless and until we are able to once again qualify as a RIC, based on changes in the composition of our portfolio. Consequently, at the close of each fiscal quarter beginning with the quarter ended June 30, 2018, we will record a deferred tax liability for any net realized gains and net ordinary income for the year-to-date period plus net unrealized gains as of the end of the quarter.

 

The reorganization described in Note 1 (the formation of FVI as a fully owned subsidiary for investment activities) was structured to avoid any adverse tax consequences for the Company and its shareholders. For the fiscal years which the Company operates as a RIC, we believe Company’s engaging in investment activities through FVI did not, in our view, jeopardize the Company’s ability to continue to qualify as a RIC under the Code at that time when the Company was eligible to be treated as a RIC.

 

30

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

The following information is based upon the U.S. federal income tax cost of portfolio investments as of September 30, 2020.

 

   

FEDERAL INCOME
TAX COST:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 25,051,533  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (70,701,697 )

Net unrealized depreciation

  $ (45,650,164 )

Federal income tax cost, Investments

  $ 141,120,654  

 

The Company did not qualify as a regulated investment company pursuant to Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, therefore it is taxed as a corporation. As a corporation, the Company is obligated to pay federal and state income tax on taxable income. The Company’s net deferred tax asset balance was reduced, and continued to be completely offset, by the deferred tax liability. The Company is currently using an estimated tax rate of 21% for Federal and 6.98% for state taxes.

 

The Company’s income tax provision consists of the following as of December 31, 2019

 

Deferred tax (expense)/benefit

       

Federal

  $ 11,989,897  

State

    4,285,245  

Total deferred tax (expense)/benefit

  $ 16,275,142  

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Such temporary differences are principally: (i) taxes on unrealized gains/(losses), which are attributable to the temporary difference between fair market value and tax basis, (ii) the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes, and (iii) the net tax benefit of accumulated net operating losses and capital loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using effective tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years such temporary differences are realized or otherwise settled.

 

Components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:

 

   

AMOUNT

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

       

Net operating loss carryforward

  $ 1,292,784  

Capital loss carryforward

    7,270,082  

Net unrealized losses (gains) on investment securities

    6,627,475  

Incentive fee

     

Total deferred tax assets (liabilities), net

    15,190,341  

Valuation allowance

    (7,347,758 )

Net

  $ 7,842,583  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company had an effective tax rate of 20.14% and a statutory tax rate of 27.98% with the difference primarily being attributable to the deferred tax benefits recognized during the year.

 

31

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

The effective tax rate and statutory federal income tax rate for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

 

 

THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Effective tax rate

0.0%

22.9%

-35.6%

27.4%

Statutory federal income tax rate

21%

21%

21%

21%

 

The variance in the effective tax rate and statutory federal income tax rate for the three- and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2020 is the result of changes to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance account. At September 30, 2020, the Company has established a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets.

 

To the extent the Company has a deferred tax asset or if a portion of the deferred tax liability is offset by a tax asset resulting from net operating losses, consideration is given to whether or not a valuation allowance is required against the deferred tax asset amount. A valuation allowance is required if, based on the evaluation criterion provided by Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740), it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Among the factors considered in assessing the Company’s valuation allowance are: the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of the statutory carryforward periods, and the associated risks that operating and capital loss carryforwards may expire unused. Based on the Company’s assessment, it has determined that in the future it is more likely than not that the Company will not generate the necessary appropriate character of income within the carryforward periods to realize its deferred tax assets.

 

From time to time, and as new information becomes available, the Company will modify its forecasts, estimates or assumptions regarding its deferred tax liability or asset.

 

Modifications of the Company’s estimates or assumptions regarding its deferred tax liability and/or asset balances and any applicable valuation allowance, changes in generally accepted accounting principles or related guidance or interpretations thereof, limitations imposed on net operating losses (if any), and changes in applicable tax law could result in increases or decreases in the Company’s NAV, which could be material. Such changes could have a material impact on the Company’s NAV and results of operations with respect to the Company’s shareholders in the period it is recorded, even though the shareholders at such time might not have held shares in the Company at the time the deferred tax asset or liability had been established.

 

The Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with underpayment of federal and state income taxes, if any, as income tax expense on its Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any interest or penalties associated with the underpayment of any income taxes.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and California. The Company has reviewed all major jurisdictions and concluded that there is no significant impact on the Company’s net assets and no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain tax positions expected to be taken on its tax returns. Furthermore, management of the Company is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next 12 months.

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal and state of income tax purposes of $4,620,386, which may be carried forward indefinitely.

 

32

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had net capital loss carryforwards for federal and state income tax purposes, which may be carried forward for 5 years, as follows:

 

EXPIRATION DATE

 

AMOUNT

 

12/31/23

  $ 4,994,658  

12/31/24

    20,988,480  

Total

  $ 25,983,138  

 

NOTE 8. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

Investment transactions (excluding short-term investments) were as follows for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

 

PURCHASES AND SALES

       

Purchases of investment securities

  $ 13,618,559  

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investment securities

  $ (18,969,294 )

 

NOTE 9. SHARE BUYBACKS

 

SHARE BUYBACKS. On April 26, 2016, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved a discretionary share repurchase plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund was authorized to purchase in the open market up to $2 million worth of its common stock. The Plan allowed the Fund to acquire its own shares at certain thresholds below its NAV per share, in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The intent of the Plan was to increase NAV per share and thereby enhance shareholder value. The Fund completed the repurchase plan in September 2016, having repurchased and retired a total of 272,008 shares of stock, at a total cost of approximately $2 million.

 

On November 10, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved a discretionary share purchase plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant to the Plan, the Fund was authorized to purchase in the open market up to $2 million worth of its common stock. The Plan allowed the Fund to acquire its own shares in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The intent of the Plan was to increase NAV per share and thereby enhance shareholder value. As of December 31, 2017, the Fund had repurchased and retired 128,551 shares of stock at a total cost of approximately $1.1 million. The Fund had 7,302,146 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017.

 

On August 31, 2018, the Fund announced a plan to repurchase up to $2 million worth of SVVC stock in the open market by March 31, 2019. The Fund completed this open market repurchase plan on October 24, 2018. Through that date, the Fund repurchased 123,376 shares at an average price of $16.21 per share, for total consideration of $2.0 million. As of December 31, 2018, the Fund had 7,178,770 shares outstanding.

 

TENDER OFFERS. On December 22, 2014, pursuant to our agreement with a shareholder, the Fund commenced a tender offer to purchase up to $20 million of its issued and outstanding common shares for cash at a price per share equal to 95% of the Company’s NAV per share determined as of the close of ordinary trading on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2014 ($23.2702 per share). The tender offer, which expired on January 22, 2015 at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, was oversubscribed. Because the number of shares tendered exceeded the maximum amount of its

 

33

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

offer, the Fund purchased shares from tendering shareholders on a pro-rata basis based on the number of shares properly tendered. Of the 5,044,728 shares properly tendered, the Fund purchased 859,468 shares of common stock pursuant to the tender offer.

 

On December 16, 2019, the Fund announced the commencement of a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer to purchase up to $2 million of its common stock at a price per share not less than $6.00 and not greater than $8.00, in $0.10 increments. The tender offer expired on February 14, 2020 and resulted in the purchase by the Fund of 285,714 shares of common stock at a price of $7.00 per share. As of March 31, 2020, the Fund had 6,893,056 shares outstanding.

 

NOTE 10. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES AND CONTROLLED INVESTMENTS

 

Under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to identify investments where it owns greater than 5% (but less than 25%) of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting shares as an affiliate of the Company. Also, under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to identify investments where it owns greater than 25% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting shares as a controlled investment of the Company. A summary of the Company’s investments in affiliates and controlled investments for the period from December 31, 2019, through September 30, 2020, is noted below:

 

AFFILIATE/
CONTROLLED
INVESTMENTS*

 

VALUE AT
12/31/19

   

PURCHASES/
MERGER

   

INTEREST

   

SALES/
MATURITY/
EXPIRATION

   

REALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)

   

CHANGE IN
APPRECIATION/
DEPRECIATION

   

VALUE
9/30/20

   

SHARES
HELD AT
9/30/2020

 

EQX Capital, Inc. Common Stock*

  $ 28,990     $     $     $     $     $ (190 )   $ 28,800       100,000  

EQX, Inc. Preferred Stock - Series A*

    2,490,880                   (400,000 )           150,240       2,241,120       2,800,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Series C Preferred*

    476,400       250,000                         (547,790 )     178,610       2,650,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Series A Preferred*

    247,314                               (214,169 )     33,145       3,642,324  

Hera Systems, Inc. Convertible Note*

    500,000             38,056                         500,000       500,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Convertible Note*

    500,000             38,056                         500,000       500,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Convertible Note*

          250,000       13,333                         250,000       250,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Convertible Note*

          40,000       1,722                         40,000       40,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Convertible Note*

          20,000       694                         20,000       20,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Convertible Note*

          200,000       5,389                         200,000       200,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Convertible Note*

          220,000       3,422                         220,000       220,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Convertible Note*

          150,000       875                         150,000       150,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Series B Preferred*

    1,397,282                               (922,840 )     474,442       7,039,203  

 

34

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

AFFILIATE/
CONTROLLED
INVESTMENTS*

 

VALUE AT
12/31/19

   

PURCHASES/
MERGER

   

INTEREST

   

SALES/
MATURITY/
EXPIRATION

   

REALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)

   

CHANGE IN
APPRECIATION/
DEPRECIATION

   

VALUE
9/30/20

   

SHARES
HELD AT
9/30/2020

 

Hera Systems, Inc. Series B Warrants*

  $ 138,908     $     $     $     $     $ (91,805 )   $ 47,103       700,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Series B Warrants*

    1,233,289                               (815,087 )     418,202       6,214,922  

Hera Systems, Inc. Series B Warrants*

    2,430,890                               (1,606,587 )     824,303       12,250,000  

Hera Systems, Inc. Series B Warrants*

    1,041,810                               (688,537 )     353,273       5,250,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Series C Preferred*

    702,826                               33,839       736,665       26,856,187  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

    1,300,000             152,893                         1,300,000       1,300,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

    500,000             56,301                         500,000       500,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

    500,000             56,301                         500,000       500,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

          1,000,000       89,178                         1,000,000       1,000,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

          500,000       39,041                         500,000       500,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

          400,000       24,000                         400,000       400,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

          500,000       12,740                         500,000       500,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

          750,000       10,480                         750,000       750,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Term Note*

    3,000,000             180,166                         3,000,000       3,000,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Term Note*

    2,000,000             120,110                         2,000,000       2,000,000  

IntraOp Medical Corp. Convertible Note*

    10,961,129             1,419,391                         10,961,129       10,961,129  

Pivotal Systems CDIs(1)*

    41,670,037               (5,631,672 )     835,463       (7,681,729 )     29,192,099       38,090,506  

 

35

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

AFFILIATE/
CONTROLLED
INVESTMENTS*

 

VALUE AT
12/31/19

   

PURCHASES/
MERGER

   

INTEREST

   

SALES/
MATURITY/
EXPIRATION

   

REALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)

   

CHANGE IN
APPRECIATION/
DEPRECIATION

   

VALUE
9/30/20

   

SHARES
HELD AT
9/30/2020

 

Revasum, Common Stock*

  $ 19,173,339     $     $     $     $     $ (11,602,734 )   $ 7,570,605     $ 46,834,340  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Common Stock *

    645                               (92 )     553       921,892  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Common Warrants*

    11                               (3 )     8       37,982  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Common Warrants*

    2,000                               (1,860 )     140       5,000,000  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Common Warrants*

    1,200                               (1,116 )     84       3,000,000  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Series 1-C Preferred*

    5,157                               (970 )     4,187       82,914  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Series 1-D Preferred*

    13,699                               (2,638 )     11,061       850,830  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Series 1-E Preferred*

    645,177                               (23,959 )     621,218       5,704,480  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Series 1-F Preferred*

    142,434                               (5,201 )     137,233       912,453  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Series 1-G Preferred*

    651,458                               (30,924 )     620,534       48,370,793  

Silicon Genesis Corp., Series 1-H Preferred*

    71,309                               (2,682 )     68,627       837,942  

SVXR, Inc., Preferred Stock Series A

    4,881,123                               493,085       5,374,208       8,219,454  

Telepathy Investors, Inc. Convertible Note*

                9,380                               2,000,000  

Telepathy Investors, Inc. Convertible Note*

                1,407                               300,000  

Telepathy Investors, Inc. Convertible Note*

                704                               150,000  

 

36

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

AFFILIATE/
CONTROLLED
INVESTMENTS*

 

VALUE AT
12/31/19

   

PURCHASES/
MERGER

   

INTEREST

   

SALES/
MATURITY/
EXPIRATION

   

REALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)

   

CHANGE IN
APPRECIATION/
DEPRECIATION

   

VALUE
9/30/20

   

SHARES
HELD AT
9/30/2020

 

Telepathy Investors, Inc. Convertible Note*

  $     $     $ 2,345     $     $     $     $     $ 500,000  

Telepathy Investors, Inc. Convertible Note*

                1,407                               300,000  

Telepathy Investors, Inc. Convertible Note*

                2,345                               500,000  

Telepathy Investors, Inc. Convertible Note*

                938                               200,000  

Telepathy Inc. Preferred Stock Series A*

                                              15,238,000  

UCT Coatings, Inc.Common Stock

    834,150                               69,900       904,050       1,500,000  

Wrightspeed, Inc., Common Stock*

    3,980                               3,214       7,194       69,102  

Wrightspeed, Inc., Common Stock Warrants*

                                  11       11       181  

Wrightspeed, Inc., Convertible Note

    4,929,015             450,183                         4,929,015       4,929,015  

Wrightspeed, Inc., Convertible Note

          750,000       12,500                         750,000       750,000  

Wrightspeed, Inc., Convertible Note

          900,000       6,300                         900,000       900,000  

Wrightspeed, Inc., Preferred Stock- Series AA*

    10,625,710       3,859,999                         (2,284,310 )     12,201,399       60,733,693  

 

37

 

 

Firsthand Technology Value Fund, Inc.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - continued

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 (UNAUDITED)

 

AFFILIATE/
CONTROLLED
INVESTMENTS*

 

VALUE AT
12/31/19

   

PURCHASES/
MERGER

   

INTEREST

   

SALES/
MATURITY/
EXPIRATION

   

REALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)

   

CHANGE IN
APPRECIATION/
DEPRECIATION

   

VALUE
9/30/20

   

SHARES
HELD AT
9/30/2020

 

Wrightspeed, Inc., Preferred Stock Warrants- Series AA*

  $ 90,242     $     $     $     $     $ (4,083 )   $ 86,159       609,756  

Total Affiliates and Controlled Investments

  $ 113,190,404             $ 2,749,657             $ 835,463     $ (25,779,017 )   $ 92,005,177          

Total Affiliates

    5,715,273                                   562,985       6,278,258          

Total Controlled Investments

  $ 107,475,131             $ 2,749,657             $ 835,463     $ (26,342,002 )   $ 85,726,919          

 

*

Controlled Investments.

(1)

CDI CHESS Depositary Interests

 

As of September 30, 2020, Kevin Landis represented the Company and sat on the board of directors of Hera Systems, Inc.; IntraOp Medical, Inc.; Pivotal Systems, Inc.; Revasum, Inc.; Silicon Genesis Corp.; Telepathy Investors, Inc.; and Wrightspeed, Inc. Serving on boards of directors of portfolio companies may cause conflicts of interest. The Adviser has adopted various procedures to ensure that the Company will not be unfavorably affected by these potential conflicts.

 

NOTE 11. COVID-19 RISKS

 

In early 2020, an outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged globally. This coronavirus has resulted in closing international borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general public concern and uncertainty. The impact of this outbreak has negatively affected the worldwide economy, as well as the economies of individual countries, the financial health of individual companies and the market in general in significant and unforeseen ways. The future impact of COVID-19 is currently unknown, and it may exacerbate other risks that apply to the Fund, including political, social and economic risks. Any such impact could adversely affect the Fund’s performance, the performance of the securities in which the Fund invests and may lead to losses on your investment in the Fund. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 on the financial performance of the Fund’s investments is not reasonably estimable at this time.

 

NOTE 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Company through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

38

 

 

Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The matters discussed in this report, as well as in future oral and written statements by management of the Company, include forward-looking statements based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements related to future events or our future financial performance. We generally identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar words. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new investments and to achieve certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this report should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans or objectives will be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained in this report include, without limitations, statements as to:

 

our future operating results;

our business prospects and the prospects of our prospective portfolio companies;

the impact of investments that we expect to make;

the impact of a protracted decline in the liquidity of the credit markets on our business;

our informal relationships with third parties;

the expected market for venture capital investments and our addressable market;

the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

our ability to access the equity market;

the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

our expected financings and investments;

our regulatory structure and tax status;

our ability to operate as a business development company and a regulated investment company;

the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

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

the timing, form, and amount of any dividend distributions;

impact of fluctuation of interest rates on our business;

valuation of any investments in portfolio companies particularly those having no liquid trading market; and

our ability to recover unrealized losses.

 

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this report relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this prospectus contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by such forward-looking information due to the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” appearing elsewhere herein.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company organized as a Maryland corporation that has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. As such, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets,”

 

39

 

 

including securities of private or micro-cap public U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. In addition, for tax purposes we are treated as a corporation and are subject to federal and state taxes on our income. FCM serves as our investment adviser and manages the investment process on a daily basis.

 

Our investment objective is to seek long-term growth of capital, principally by seeking capital gains on our equity and equity-related investments. There can be no assurance that we will achieve our investment objective. Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of our net assets for investment purposes in technology companies. We consider technology companies to be those companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues from products and/or services within the information technology sector or in the “cleantech” sector. Information technology companies include, but are not limited to, those focused on computer hardware, software, telecommunications, networking, Internet, and consumer electronics. While there is no standard definition of cleantech, it is generally regarded as including goods and services designed to harness renewable energy and materials, eliminate emissions and waste, and reduce the use of natural resources. In addition, under normal circumstances we invest at least 70% of our total assets in privately held companies and public companies with market capitalizations of less than $250 million. Our portfolio is primarily composed of equity and equity derivative securities of technology and cleantech companies (as defined above). These investments generally range between $1 million and $10 million each, although the investment size will vary proportionately with the size of our capital base. We acquire our investments through direct investments in private companies, negotiations with selling shareholders, and in organized secondary marketplaces for private securities.

 

While our primary focus is to invest in illiquid private technology and cleantech companies, we also may invest in micro-cap publicly traded companies. In addition, we may invest up to 30 percent of the portfolio in opportunistic investments that do not constitute the private companies and micro-cap public companies described above. These other investments may include investments in securities of public companies that are actively traded or in actively traded derivative securities such as options on securities or security indices. These other investments may also include investments in high-yield bonds, distressed debt, or securities of public companies that are actively traded and securities of companies located outside of the United States. Our investment activities are managed by FCM.

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

We make investments in securities of both public and private companies. Our portfolio investments consist principally of equity and equity-like securities, including common and preferred stock, warrants for the purchase of common and preferred stock, and convertible and term notes. The fair value of our investment portfolio was approximately $95.5 million as of September 30, 2020, as compared to approximately $120.6 million as of December 31, 2019.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of our investment portfolio by industry sector as of September 30, 2020, and December 31, 2019.

 

 

September 30, 2020

December 31, 2019

Semiconductor Equipment

45.3%

52.5%

Medical Devices

23.3%

14.9%

Automotive

19.8%

12.3%

Aerospace

4.4%

6.3%

Equipment Leasing

2.4%

2.0%

Intellectual Property

1.5%

1.2%

Advanced Materials

1.1%

0.8%

Mobile Computing

0.1%

0.6%

Semiconductor

0.0%

0.2%

Consumer Electronics

0.0%

0.0%

Exchange-Traded/Money Market Funds

2.4%

4.1%

Other Assets/(Liabilities)

(0.3)%

5.1%

Net Assets

100.0%

100.0%

 

40

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2020 to the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2020, we had investment income of $1,068,654 primarily attributable to interest accrued on convertible/term note investments with IntraOp Medical, Hera Systems and Wrightspeed.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, we had investment income of $400,405 primarily attributable to interest accrued on convertible/term note investments with IntraOp Medical and Wrightspeed.

 

The higher level of interest income in the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019 was due to the write-off of the interest associated with our QMAT notes during the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Net operating expenses totaled approximately $806,615 during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and $1,017,625 during the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

Significant components of net operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020, were management fee expense of $518,983 and professional fees (audit, legal, accounting, and consulting) of $128,497. Significant components of net operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019, were management fee expense of $774,945 and professional fees (audit, legal, accounting, and consulting) of $92,758.

 

The lower level of net operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019, is primarily attributable to a decrease in our total net assets, on which the investment advisory fees are based.

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME/(LOSS)

 

Net investment income before taxes was $262,039 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 versus a net investment loss before taxes of $(617,220) for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

 

The higher net investment income before taxes in the three months ended September 30, 2020, compared to a net investment loss for the three months ended September 30, 2019, is primarily attributable to two factors: (1) a write-off of the interest associated with our QMAT notes during the three months ended September 30, 2019, and (2) a decrease in our total net assets, on which the investment advisory fees are based.

 

NET INVESTMENT REALIZED GAINS AND LOSSES AND UNREALIZED APPRECIATION AND DEPRECIATION

 

A summary of the net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments for the three-month period ended September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019, is shown below.

 

   

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2020

 

Realized gains

  $ 840,725  

Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments

    (7,211,045 )

Deferred tax benefit

     

Net realized and unrealized losses on investments, net of deferred taxes

  $ (6,370,320 )

 

41

 

 

   

As of
September 30, 2020

 

Gross unrealized appreciation on portfolio investments

  $ 25,051,533  

Gross unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments

    (70,701,697 )

Net unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments

  $ (45,650,164 )

 

   

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2019

 

Realized gains

  $ 1,404,809  

Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments

    (7,973,895 )

Deferred tax benefit

    1,470,423  

Net realized and unrealized losses on investments, net of deferred taxes

  $ (5,098,663 )

 

   

As of
September 30, 2019

 

Gross unrealized appreciation on portfolio investments

  $ 59,465,312  

Gross unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments

    (78,966,107 )

Net unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments

  $ (19,500,795 )

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized net realized gains of approximately $840,725. Realized gains were less than those in the year-ago period primarily due to the sale of investments, primarily Pivotal Systems and Revasum.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, net unrealized depreciation on total investments increased by $7,211,045. The change in net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of our private investments is based on portfolio asset valuations determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. This change in net unrealized depreciation was primarily caused by a decrease in the valuations of our investments, primarily Revasum and Pivotal investments.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized net realized gains of approximately $1,404,809.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2019, net unrealized depreciation on total investments increased by $7,973,895. The change in net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of our private investments is based on portfolio asset valuations determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. This change in net unrealized appreciation was primarily caused by a decrease in the valuations of our investments, primarily Silicon Genesis, QMAT, IntraOp Medical, Phunware and EQX Capital investments.

 

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS AND CHANGE IN NET ASSETS PER SHARE

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2020, the net decrease in net assets resulting from operations (net of deferred taxes) totaled $(6,108,281) and the basic and fully diluted net change in net assets per share for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $(0.93).

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the net decrease in net assets resulting from operations (net of deferred taxes) totaled $(5,543,185) and the basic and fully diluted net change in net assets per share for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was $(0.78).

 

The greater decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2019, is due primarily to a decrease in the valuation of certain of our investments, particularly Pivotal and Revasum.

 

42

 

 

Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2020 to the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we had investment income of $2,762,705 primarily attributable to interest accrued on convertible/term note investments with IntraOp Medical, Hera Systems and Wrightspeed.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we had investment income of $900,762 primarily attributable to interest accrued on convertible/term note investments with IntraOp Medical and Wrightspeed.

 

The higher level of interest income in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was due to write-offs of interest associated with our QMAT, Vufine and Telepathy Investment notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Net operating expenses totaled approximately $2,287,674 during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $(5,771,774) during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

Significant components of net operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, were management fee expense of $1,493,418 and professional fees (audit, legal, accounting, and consulting) of $298,262. Significant components of net operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, were management fee expense of $2,716,206, incentive fees (which were accrued but are not payable until gains in the portfolio are realized) of $(9,261,847) and professional fees (audit, legal, accounting, and consulting) of $275,184.

 

The higher level of net operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, is primarily attributable to a decrease in the incentive fee accrual in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, which is a quarterly accrual based on what the incentive fee would be if the entire portfolio were liquidated at fair market value.

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME/(LOSS)

 

Net investment income/(loss) before taxes was $475,031 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and $6,672,536 for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

 

The lesser net investment income in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, is primarily attributable to a decrease in the incentive fee accrual in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, which is a quarterly accrual based on what the incentive fee would be if the entire portfolio were liquidated at fair market value.

 

NET INVESTMENT REALIZED GAINS AND LOSSES AND UNREALIZED APPRECIATION AND DEPRECIATION

 

A summary of the gross and net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2020, and September 30, 2019, is shown below.

 

   

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2020

 

Realized losses

  $ (551,341 )

Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments

    (21,963,692 )

Deferred tax expense

    (7,842,581 )

Net realized and unrealized losses on investments

  $ (30,357,614 )

 

43

 

 

   

As of
September 30, 2020

 

Gross unrealized appreciation on portfolio investments

  $ 25,051,533  

Gross unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments

    (70,701,697 )

Net unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments

  $ (45,650,164 )

 

   

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019

 

Realized gains

  $ 658,761  

Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments

    (62,077,026 )

Deferred tax benefit

    14,307,077  

Net realized and unrealized losses on investments

  $ (47,111,188 )

 

   

As of
September 30, 2019

 

Gross unrealized appreciation on portfolio investments

  $ 59,465,312  

Gross unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments

    (78,966,107 )

Net unrealized depreciation on portfolio investments

  $ (19,500,795 )

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized net realized losses of approximately $551,341 from the sale/transfer of securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized net realized gains of approximately $658,761 from the sale/transfer of securities. Realized losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were more than those during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to the sale of our investments, primarily Phunware and QuickLogic.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, net unrealized depreciation on total investments increased by $21,963,692 compared to a decrease of $62,077,026 in unrealized appreciation on the total investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The change in net unrealized appreciation and depreciation of our private investments is based on portfolio asset valuations determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. This increase in net unrealized depreciation was primarily caused by a decrease in the valuations of our Revasum and Pivotal investments.

 

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS AND CHANGE IN NET ASSETS PER SHARE

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the net decrease in net assets resulting from operations (net of deferred taxes) totaled $29,882,583 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the net decrease in net assets resulting from operations (net of deferred taxes) totaled $39,747,755. The basic and fully diluted net change in net assets per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $(4.34) and the basic and fully diluted net change in net assets per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $(5.54). The lesser decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, is due primarily to a greater decline in the valuation in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 of certain of our investments, primarily Phunware, Intraop Medical, QMAT, Revasum and Wrightspeed.

 

DISTRIBUTION POLICY

 

Our board of directors will determine the timing and amount, if any, of our distributions. We are not required to pay any minimum level of distributions of our income or capital gains.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

The Fund does not have any Contractual Obligations that meet the requirements for disclosure under Item 303 of Regulation S-K.

 

44

 

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Fund does not have any Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

This discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements will require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. In addition to the discussion below, we will describe our critical accounting policies in the notes to our future financial statements.

 

Valuation of Portfolio Investments

 

As a business development company, we generally invest in illiquid equity and equity derivatives of securities of venture capital stage technology companies. Under written procedures established by our board of directors, securities traded on stock exchanges, or quoted by NASDAQ, are valued according to the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) official closing price, if applicable, or at their last reported sale price as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (normally 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time). If a security is not traded that day, the security will be valued at its most recent bid price. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market, but not quoted by NASDAQ, are valued at the last sale price (or, if the last sale price is not readily available, at the most recent closing bid price as quoted by brokers that make markets in the securities) at the close of trading on the NYSE. Securities traded both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. We obtain these market values from an independent pricing service or at the mean between the bid and ask prices obtained from at least two brokers or dealers (if available, otherwise by a principal market maker or a primary market dealer). In addition, a large percentage of our portfolio investments are in the form of securities that are not publicly traded. The fair value of securities and other investments that are not publicly traded may not be readily determinable. We value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. Our board of directors may use the services of a nationally recognized independent valuation firm to aid it in determining the fair value of these securities. The methods for valuing these securities may include: fundamental analysis (sales, income, or earnings multiples, etc.), discounts from market prices of similar securities, purchase price of securities, subsequent private transactions in the security or related securities, or discounts applied to the nature and duration of restrictions on the disposition of the securities, as well as a combination of these and other factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time, and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such securities.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

We record interest or dividend income on an accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. We do not accrue as a receivable interest on loans and debt securities if we have reason to doubt our ability to collect such interest. Loan origination fees, original issue discount, and market discount are capitalized, and we amortize any such amounts as interest income. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, any unamortized loan origination is recorded as interest income. We will record prepayment premiums on loans and debt securities as interest income when we receive such amounts.

 

Net Realized Gains or Losses and Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation

 

We measure realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including any reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation, when gains or losses are realized.

 

45

 

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standards setting bodies that are adopted by us as of the specified effective date. We believe that the impact of recently issued standards that are not yet effective will not have a material impact on our financial statements upon effectiveness.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation has not had a significant effect on our results of operations in any of the reporting periods presented herein. However, our portfolio companies have experienced, and may in the future experience, the impacts of inflation on their operating results.

 

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent to the close of the fiscal quarter on September 30, 2020, and through the date of the issuance of the financial statements included herein, a number of events related to our portfolio of investments occurred, consisting primarily of purchases and sales of securities. Since that date, we have purchased private securities with an aggregate cost of approximately $1.3 million.

 

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

 

The Company’s business activities contain elements of risk. We consider the principal types of market risk to be valuation risk and small company investment risk.

 

VALUATION RISK

 

Value, as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the 1940 Act, is (i) the market price for those securities for which market quotations are readily available and (ii) fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors for all other assets.

 

Because there is typically no public market for our interests in the small privately-held companies in which we invest, the valuation of the securities in that portion of our portfolio is determined in good faith by our Board of Directors with the assistance of our Valuation Committee, comprised of the independent members of our Board of Directors, in accordance with our Valuation Procedures. In addition, the Board of Directors may use the services of a nationally recognized independent valuation firm to aid it in determining the fair value of some of these securities. In the absence of a readily ascertainable market value, the determined value of our portfolio of securities may differ significantly from the values that would be placed on the portfolio if a ready market for such securities existed. Determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment, although our valuation policy is intended to provide a consistent basis for determining fair value of the portfolio investments. The methods for valuing these securities may include: fundamental analysis (sales, income, or earnings multiples, etc.), discounts from market prices of similar securities, purchase price of securities, subsequent private transactions in the security or related securities, or discounts applied to the nature and duration of restrictions on the disposition of the securities, as well as a combination of these and other factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time, and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed.

 

Furthermore, changes in valuation of any of our investments in privately-held companies from one period to another may be volatile.

 

Investments in privately held, immature companies are inherently more volatile than investments in more mature businesses. Such immature businesses are inherently fragile and easily affected by both internal and external forces.

 

46

 

 

Our portfolio companies can lose much or all of their value suddenly in response to an internal or external adverse event. Conversely, these immature businesses can gain suddenly in value in response to an internal or external positive development.

 

The values assigned to our assets are based on available information and do not necessarily represent amounts that might ultimately be realized, as these amounts depend on future circumstances and cannot be reasonably determined until the individual investments are actually liquidated or become readily marketable. Upon sale of investments, the values that are ultimately realized may be different from what is presently estimated. This difference could be material.

 

PRIVATELY PLACED SMALL COMPANIES RISK

 

The Company invests in small companies, and its investments in these companies are considered speculative in nature. The Company’s investments often include securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale that adversely affect the liquidity and marketability of such securities. As a result, the Company is subject to risk of loss which may prevent our shareholders from achieving price appreciation, dividend distributions and return of capital.

 

WE CURRENTLY HOLD A PORTION OF OUR ASSETS IN CASH

 

As of September 30, 2020, a portion of the Company’s assets was invested in cash and/or cash equivalents, which are expected to earn low yields. Given the current low interest rate environment, to the extent the management fee and other operating expenses exceed interest income on the cash holdings of the Company, the Company may experience losses. Furthermore, the investment advisory fee payable by us will not be reduced while our assets are invested in cash-equivalent securities.

 

In some cases, particularly for primary transactions, it is to our advantage to hold sufficient cash reserve so that we can make additional subsequent investments in these companies in order to (a) avoid having our earlier investments become diluted in future dilutive financings, (b) invest additional capital into existing portfolio companies in case additional investments are necessary, and/or (c) exercise warrants, options, or convertible securities that were acquired as part of the earlier transactions. For this reason, in the case of primary transactions (as opposed to secondary transactions where we do not buy the securities from the issuing companies but instead from existing stockholders), we typically reserve cash in an amount at least equal to our initial investment for such follow-on opportunities. Cash reserves held with respect to a particular investment should, therefore, decline as it is held longer, and will typically not be needed once that portfolio company becomes public or we determine it is no longer in our best interest to make investments in such portfolio company.

 

We may from time to time liquidate various investments. We are required to distribute substantially all of our net realized gains to stockholders on an annual basis and, therefore, will generally hold the proceeds of liquidated investments in cash pending its distribution.

 

47

 

 

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.

 

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and provided reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2020, that have materially affected, or are

 

 

48

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

49

 

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.

 

 

We are not a party to any material pending legal proceeding, and no such proceedings are known to be contemplated.

 

Item 1A.    Risk Factors.

 

 

There have been no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019, in response to Item 1A of Part 1 of Form 10-K.

 

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

 

None.

 

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

 

None.

 

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

 

None.

 

Item 5.    Other Information.

 

 

None.

 

Item 6.    Exhibits.

 

 

EXHIBIT NUMBER

DESCRIPTION

31.1

Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

FIRSTHAND TECHNOLOGY VALUE FUND, INC.

(Registrant)

Dated: November 10, 2020

 

   

Kevin Landis

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT NUMBER

Description

31.1

Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2

Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002