As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2018

Securities Act Registration No. 333-216716

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-2

☒ Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933
o Pre-Effective Amendment No.
☒ Post-Effective Amendment No. 5
and/or
o Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940
o Amendment No.   

TCP CAPITAL CORP.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
2951 28th Street, Suite 1000
Santa Monica, California 90405
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(310) 566-1094
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Howard M. Levkowitz
Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC
2951 28th Street, Suite 1000
Santa Monica, California 90405
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies to:
Michael K. Hoffman, Esq.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, New York 10036
212-735-3000

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a distribution reinvestment plan, check the following box. ☒

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

If appropriate, check the following box:

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Special Value Continuation Partners, LP has also signed the registrant’s registration statement.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that the registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such dates as the commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

Subject To Completion, Preliminary Prospectus dated May 22, 2018

PROSPECTUS

$600,000,000

Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Subscription Rights
Warrants

We are a holding company (the “Holding Company”) with no direct operations of our own, and currently our only business and sole asset is our ownership of all of the common limited partner interests in Special Value Continuation Partners, LP (the “Operating Company”), which represents approximately 100% of the common equity and 100% of the combined common equity and general partner interests in the Operating Company as of December 31, 2017. We and the Operating Company are externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment companies that have elected to be treated as business development companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). Our and the Operating Company’s investment objective is to achieve high total returns through current income and capital appreciation, with an emphasis on principal protection. Both we and the Operating Company seek to achieve this investment objective primarily through investments in debt securities of middle-market companies as well as small businesses. Our primary investment focus is investing in and originating leveraged loans to performing middle-market companies as well as small businesses.

Our shelf registration statement (Registration No. 333-216716) for the sale of up to $600,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase our securities or warrants representing rights to purchase our securities (collectively, the “Securities”) was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 3, 2017. From May 3, 2017 to May 22, 2018, we have sold $175,248,020 in Securities and $424,751,980 remain registered under this shelf registration statement. Accordingly, we may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, together or separately, under this registration statement up to $424,751,980 of our Securities to provide us with additional capital. Securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be disclosed in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our Securities.

Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus contains important information you should know before investing in our Securities. Please read it carefully before you invest and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A Statement of Additional Information, dated         , 2018, containing additional information about the Holding Company and the Operating Company has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this prospectus. We maintain a website at http://www.tcpcapital.com and we make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information available, free of charge, on or through this website. You may also obtain free copies of our annual and quarterly reports, request a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information, the table of contents of which is on page 147 of this prospectus and make stockholder inquiries by contacting us at Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC, c/o Investor Relations, 2951 28th Street, Suite 1000, Santa Monica, California 90405 or by calling us collect at (310) 566-1094. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov where such information is available without charge upon request. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus.

The debt securities in which we typically invest are either rated below investment grade by independent rating agencies or would be rated below investment grade if such securities were rated by rating agencies. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “hybrid securities,” “junk bonds” or “leveraged loans” are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. They may be illiquid and difficult to value and typically do not require repayment of principal prior to maturity, which potentially heightens the risk that we may lose all or part of our investment. In addition, a substantial majority of the Operating Company’s debt investments include interest reset provisions that may make it more difficult for the borrowers to make debt repayments to the Operating Company if the reset provision has the effect of increasing the applicable interest rate.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. If our shares trade at a discount to our net asset value, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers in the offerings. Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including credit risk and the risk of the use of leverage. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our securities in “Risks” beginning on page 19 of this prospectus.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of shares of our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is                , 2018.

Our Securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, or through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement relating to the offering will identify any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of our Securities, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents, underwriters or dealers, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution.” We may not sell any of our Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of the prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such Securities. Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TCPC.” As of May 21, 2018, the last reported sales price for our common stock was $14.65. Our net asset value per share of our common stock at December 31, 2017 was $14.80.

Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC (the “Advisor”) serves as our and the Operating Company’s investment advisor. Our Advisor is a leading investment manager and specialty lender to middle-market companies that had approximately $9 billion in capital commitments from investors (“committed capital”) under management as of December 31, 2017, approximately 23% of which consists of our committed capital. Series H of SVOF/MM, LLC, an affiliate of our Advisor, is the Operating Company’s general partner and provides the administrative services necessary for us to operate.

We may offer shares of common stock, subscription rights, warrants, options or rights to acquire shares of common stock, at a discount to net asset value per share in certain circumstances. Sales of common stock at prices below net asset value per share dilute the interests of existing stockholders, have the effect of reducing our net asset value per share and may reduce our market price per share. At our 2017 annual meeting, held on May 25, 2017, subject to the condition that the maximum number of shares salable below net asset value pursuant to this authority in any particular offering that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such offering, our stockholders approved our ability to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at any level of discount from net asset value per share for a twelve month period expiring on the anniversary of the date of stockholder approval. We are seeking stockholder approval at our 2018 annual meeting to continue for an additional year our ability to issue shares of common stock below net asset value, subject to the condition that the maximum number of shares salable below net asset value pursuant to this authority in any particular offering that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such offering.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Statistical and market data used in this prospectus has been obtained from governmental and independent industry sources and publications. We have not independently verified the data obtained from these sources. Forward-looking information obtained from these sources is subject to the same qualifications and the additional uncertainties regarding the other forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, for which the safe harbor provided in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act is not available.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information, or SAI, incorporated by reference in its entirety in this prospectus, and the accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and no underwriters are, making offers to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of this prospectus, the information in the SAI is accurate only as of its respective date and the information in the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the accompanying prospectus supplement. Our business, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date. To the extent required by applicable law, we will update this prospectus and the SAI during the offering period to reflect material changes to the disclosure herein.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC, using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer, from time to time on a delayed basis over a three year period, up to $600,000,000 in shares of our common stock, shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights to purchase shares of our securities or warrants representing rights to purchase our securities. The Securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the Securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer Securities, we will provide an accompanying prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will together constitute the prospectus for an offering of our Securities. The accompanying prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with any exhibits and the additional information described under the heading “Additional Information” and the section under the heading “Risks” before you make an investment decision. You should rely only on the information contained, collectively, in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider before investing in our Securities. You should read the entire prospectus, including “Risks,” and the Statement of Additional Information, dated         , 2018 (the “SAI”).

Throughout this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to:

“Holding Company” refers to Special Value Continuation Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, for the periods prior to the consummation of the Conversion (as defined below) described elsewhere in this prospectus and to TCP Capital Corp. for the periods after the consummation of the Conversion;

“Operating Company” refers to Special Value Continuation Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership;

“TCPC Funding” refers to TCPC Funding I LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

“TCPC SBIC” refers to TCPC SBIC, LP, a Delaware limited partnership;

“Advisor” refers to Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the investment manager; and

“General Partner” and “Administrator” refer to Series H of SVOF/MM, LLC, a series of a Delaware limited liability company, the general partner of the Operating Company and an affiliate of our Advisor and administrator of the Holding Company and the Operating Company.

For simplicity, this prospectus uses the term “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” to include the Holding Company and, where appropriate in the context, the Operating Company, TCPC Funding and TCPC SBIC on a consolidated basis. For example, (i) although all or substantially all of the net proceeds from the offerings will be invested in the Operating Company and all or substantially all of the Holding Company’s investments will be made through the Operating Company, this prospectus generally refers to the Holding Company’s investments through the Operating Company as investments by the “Company,” and (ii) although the Operating Company and TCPC Funding and not the Holding Company has entered into the Leverage Program (defined below), this prospectus generally refers to the Operating Company’s use of the Leverage Program as borrowings by the “Company,” in all instances in order to make the operations and investment strategy easier to understand. The Holding Company and the Operating Company have the same investment objective and policies and the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Holding Company are consolidated with those of the Operating Company as described below under “— Operating and Regulatory Tax Structure.”

On April 2, 2012, we completed a conversion under which TCP Capital Corp. succeeded to the business of Special Value Continuation Fund, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries, and the members of Special Value Continuation Fund, LLC became stockholders of TCP Capital Corp. In this prospectus, we refer to such transactions as the “Conversion.” Unless otherwise indicated, the disclosure in this prospectus gives effect to the Conversion.

The Company

We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company, or BDC, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. See “— Company History and BDC Conversion.” We completed our initial public offering on April 10, 2012. Our investment objective is to achieve high total returns through current income and capital appreciation, with an emphasis on principal protection. We seek to achieve our investment objective primarily through investments in debt securities of middle-market companies, which we typically define as those with enterprise values between $100 million and $1.5 billion. While we primarily focus on privately negotiated investments in debt of middle-market companies, we make investments of all kinds and at all levels of the capital structure, including in equity interests such as preferred or common stock and warrants or options received in connection with our debt investments. Our investment activities benefit from what we believe are the competitive advantages of our Advisor, including its diverse in-house skills, proprietary deal flow, and consistent and rigorous investment process focused on established, middle-market companies. We expect to generate returns through a combination of the receipt of contractual interest payments on debt investments and origination and

similar fees, and, to a lesser extent, equity appreciation through options, warrants, conversion rights or direct equity investments. There are no material operating differences between us and our predecessor, however, as a BDC we are deemphasizing distressed debt investments, which may adversely affect our investment returns. See “— Company History and BDC Conversion.”

As described in more detail below under “— Company History and BDC Conversion,” we have no employees of our own and currently our only business and sole asset is the ownership of all of the common limited partner interests of the Operating Company. Our investment activities are externally managed by our Advisor, a leading investment manager with approximately $9 billion in capital commitments from investors (“committed capital”) under management, approximately 23% of which consists of the Holding Company’s committed capital under management as of December 31, 2017, and a primary focus on providing financing to middle-market companies as well as small businesses. Additionally, the Holding Company expects that it will continue to seek to qualify as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code.

On April 22, 2014, TCPC SBIC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Company, received a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) license from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). Pursuant to an exemptive order under the 1940 Act, we have been granted exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to exclude the debt of TCPC SBIC guaranteed by the SBA from our 200% asset coverage test under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the 200% asset coverage ratio limitation, we are permitted to borrow one dollar for every dollar we have in assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by debt securities issued by us or loans obtained by us. For example, as of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $1,595.9 million in assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by debt securities issued by us or loans obtained by us. Assuming none of the assets were financed using leverage, we would be permitted to borrow up to approximately $1,595.9 million, notwithstanding other limitations on our borrowings pursuant to our Leverage Program.

The exemptive relief provides us with increased flexibility under the 200% asset coverage test by permitting us to borrow up to $150 million more than we would otherwise be able to absent the receipt of this exemptive relief. As a result, we, in effect, will be permitted to have a lower asset coverage ratio than the 200% asset coverage ratio limitation under the 1940 Act and, therefore, we can have more debt outstanding than assets to cover such debt. For example, we will be able to borrow up to $150 million more than the approximately $1,595.9 million permitted under the 200% asset coverage ratio limit as of December 31, 2017. For additional information on SBA regulations that affect our access to SBA-guaranteed debentures, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — TCPC SBIC is subject to SBA regulations, and any failure to comply with SBA regulations could have an adverse effect on our operations.”

The SBIC license allows TCPC SBIC to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to the issuance of a capital commitment by the SBA and other customary procedures. SBA-guaranteed debentures are non-recourse, interest only debentures with interest payable semi-annually and have a ten year maturity. The principal amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures is not required to be paid prior to maturity but may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The interest rate of SBA-guaranteed debentures is fixed on a semi-annual basis at a market-driven spread over U.S. Treasury Notes with 10-year maturities. The SBA, as a creditor, will have a superior claim to TCPC SBIC’s assets over our stockholders in the event we liquidate TCPC SBIC or the SBA exercises its remedies under the SBA-guaranteed debentures issued by TCPC SBIC upon an event of default.

Investment Portfolio

At December 31, 2017, our investment portfolio of $1,514.5 million (at fair value) consisted of 96 portfolio companies and was invested 95.5% in debt investments, primarily in senior secured debt. Of our debt investments, 89.2% have floating interest rates and 10.8% have fixed interest rates. In aggregate, our investment portfolio was invested 86.3% in senior secured loans, 6.5% in senior secured notes, 2.7% in junior notes and 4.5% in equity investments. Our average portfolio company investment at fair value was approximately $15.8 million. Our largest portfolio company investment by value was approximately 2.9% of our portfolio and our five largest portfolio company investments by value comprised approximately 13.3% of our portfolio at December 31, 2017. See “— Investment Strategy” for more information.

The following charts summarize our portfolio mix by industry and type based on the fair value of our investments as of December 31, 2017.

Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC

Our investment activities are managed by our Advisor. Our Advisor is a leading investment manager (including specialty lending to middle-market companies). Our Advisor is a Delaware limited liability company and is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. As of December 31, 2017, our Advisor had approximately $9 billion in committed capital under management, approximately 23% of which consists of the Company’s committed capital, and a team of approximately 80 people including investment professionals and other personnel that focus on operations, finance, legal, and compliance, accounting and reporting, investor relations, information technology, and administration. Our Advisor was founded in 1999 by Mark K. Holdsworth, Howard M. Levkowitz and Michael E. Tennenbaum, and its predecessor entity, formed by the same individuals, commenced operations in 1996. Mark K. Holdsworth and Howard M. Levkowitz along with Michael E. Leitner, Philip M. Tseng, Rajneesh Vig, and Lee Landrum constitute our Advisor’s active partners (the “Advisor Partners”). The Advisor Partners have significant industry experience, including experience investing in middle-market companies. Together, the Advisor Partners have invested approximately $21.9 billion in 567 companies since our Advisor’s inception, through multiple business and credit cycles, across all segments of the capital structure and through a broad set of credit-oriented strategies including leveraged loan origination, secondary investments of discounted debt securities, and distressed and control opportunities. We believe the Advisor Partners’ investment perspectives, complementary skills, and collective investment experience provide our Advisor with a strategic and competitive advantage in middle-market investing.

As our investment advisor, our Advisor is responsible for sourcing potential investments, conducting research, analyzing investment opportunities and structuring our investments and monitoring our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. We believe that our Advisor has a proven long-term track record of positive performance, notwithstanding some periods during which losses were incurred, of sourcing deals, originating loans and successfully investing in middle-market companies and that the relationships of its investment professionals are integral to our Advisor’s success. Our Advisor’s investment professionals have long-term working relationships with key sources of investment opportunities and industry expertise, including investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, private equity sponsors, other senior lenders, high-yield bond specialists, research analysts, accountants, and senior management teams. Additionally, our Advisor’s structure includes both a board of advisors and a group of senior executive advisors, a team comprised of approximately 20 current and former executives from a variety of industries, which extends the reach of our Advisor’s relationships through a group of seasoned industry leaders and that can enhance our deal sourcing and due diligence activities.

We also benefit from the existing infrastructure and administrative capabilities of an established investment manager. The General Partner, an affiliate of our Advisor, serves as our Administrator and provides us with office

space, equipment and office services. The tasks of our Administrator include overseeing our financial records, preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and generally monitoring the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others.

Since the beginning of 2011, our Advisor has executed approximately $8.8 billion in direct origination leveraged loans primarily to middle-market companies, of which approximately $3.1 billion was for our account. There can be no assurance that similar deal flow or terms will be available in the future for loans in which we may invest.

Investment Strategy

To achieve our investment objectives, we intend to focus on a subset of the broader investment strategies historically pursued by our Advisor. Our primary investment focus is the ongoing origination of and investments in leveraged loans of performing middle-market companies, building on our Advisor’s established track record of origination and participation in the original syndication of approximately $13.0 billion of leveraged loans to 351 companies since 1999, of which we invested over $3.7 billion in 208 companies. For the purposes of this prospectus, the term “leveraged loans” refers to senior debt investments that rank ahead of subordinated debt and that generally have the benefit of security interests in the assets of the borrower.

Our investments generally range from $10 million to $50 million per company, the size of which may grow over time in proportion with our capital base. We expect to generate current returns through a combination of the receipt of contractual interest payments on debt investments and origination and similar fees, and, to a lesser extent, equity appreciation through options, warrants, conversion rights or direct equity investments. We often receive equity interests such as preferred or common stock and warrants or options in connection with our debt investments. From time to time we may also use other investment strategies, which are not our primary focus, to attempt to enhance the overall return of our portfolio. These investment strategies may include, but are not limited to, the purchase of discounted debt, opportunistic investments, and financial instruments to hedge currency or interest rate risk associated with our portfolio.

Our typical investments are in performing middle-market companies. We believe that middle-market companies are generally less able to secure financing than larger companies and thus offer better return opportunities for those able to conduct the necessary diligence to appropriately evaluate these companies. We focus primarily on U.S. companies where we believe our Advisor’s perspective, complementary skills and investment experience provides us with a competitive advantage and in industries where our Advisor sees an attractive risk reward profile due to macroeconomic trends and our Advisor’s existing industry expertise.

Our Competitive Advantages

We believe that we possess the following competitive advantages over other capital providers to middle-market companies:

Focus on minimizing the risk of loss and achieving attractive risk-adjusted returns. We primarily structure investments to attempt to achieve high cash yields, cash origination fees, conservative leverage, and strong contractual protections that reduce the risk of principal loss. Contractual protections may include default premiums, information rights, board governance rights, and affirmative, negative and financial covenants, such as lien protection and prohibitions against change of control. While we do not expect to undertake a material focus on distressed investments, we believe that our Advisor’s experience in distressed investing from managing other funds helps us negotiate more favorable terms and provides greater opportunity to achieve principal protection. See “— Investment Strategy.”

Diverse in-house skills and experience of our Advisor. Our Advisor’s principals and professionals have diverse and complementary backgrounds, including prior experience at private investment funds, investment banks, other financial services firms, and managing companies. We believe that the diverse professional experience of our Advisor’s principals and professionals gives us an advantage in sourcing, evaluating, structuring, negotiating, closing, and profitably exiting investments. Our Advisor’s advantages include:

Consistent, proactive and rigorous investment and monitoring processes. We believe that our Advisor employs a proven investment process that integrates intensive “bottom-up” company-level research and analysis with a proactive “top-down” view of macroeconomic and industry risks and opportunities. The heart of the process is a thorough analysis of the underlying issuer’s business, end markets, competitors, suppliers, revenues, costs, financial statements, and the terms of the issuer’s existing obligations, including contingent liabilities (if any). Our Advisor’s professionals supplement in-house expertise with industry experts, including our Advisor’s Board of Advisors and Senior Executive Advisors, as well as other CEO/CFO-level executives, with direct management experience in the industries under consideration. These company level analyses are undertaken in the context of and supplemented by our Advisor’s views on and understanding of industry trends and broader economic conditions. These views are formulated and refined through our Advisor’s systematic quarterly macroeconomic reviews and quarterly industry reviews, where long-term and immediate macroeconomic trends and their impact on industry risk/reward characteristics are determined. These views flow through to our Advisor’s proactive deployment of research and capital resources in the investment process. Quarterly portfolio reviews also help to inform our Advisor’s macroeconomic and industry views as well as to inform reporting of deal teams’ frequent monitoring of portfolio company progress, risk assessment, and refinement of exit plans.

Focus on established middle-market companies. We generally invest in companies with established market positions, seasoned management teams, proven and differentiated products and services and strong regional or national operations. We believe that these companies possess better risk-adjusted return profiles than newer companies that are building management or in early stages of building a revenue base. As a specialty middle-market lender, through our Advisor we have proven experience structuring financing for middle-market companies and meeting their specialized needs. We believe that there are fewer experienced finance companies focused on transactions involving small and middle-market companies than larger companies, allowing us to negotiate favorable investment terms, including higher yields, more significant covenant protection, and greater equity grants than typical of transactions involving larger companies. Additionally, we believe that middle-market companies offer significant risk-adjusted return advantages over larger companies as they are generally less able to secure financing compared to larger companies and, we believe, are more likely as borrowers to be subject to upfront fees, prepayment premiums and higher interest rates.

Debt platform with multiple deal sourcing channels. The employees of our Advisor have developed extensive networks among investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, private equity sponsors, other senior lenders, high-yield bond specialists, research analysts, accountants, and senior management teams. These networks are a valuable source of directly originated deals and are further supplemented by the networks and experiences of our Advisor’s Board of Advisors and Senior Executive Advisors. Additionally, our Advisor’s track record as a provider of middle-market financing means that it is often the first or early call on new deal opportunities. Since inception, our Advisor has originated or participated in the original syndication of approximately $13.0 billion of newly issued loans to 351 companies since 1999, of which we invested over $3.7 billion in 208 companies. Our Advisor is well known as a lender to middle-market companies in a variety of contexts including stressed, distressed, and complex and special situations. Our Advisor’s in-depth industry knowledge and ability to diligence complex situations thoroughly and in a timely fashion helps to attract deal opportunities from multiple channels.

Attractively priced leverage program. We believe that the Leverage Program (defined below), combined with capital from recent monetizations, provides us with a substantial amount of capital for deployment into new investment opportunities on relatively favorable terms.

Our leverage program is comprised of:

Prior to such facility being replaced by the SVCP 2022 Facility on February 26, 2018, the Leverage Program included $116.0 million in available debt under a senior secured revolving credit facility issued by the Operating Company (the “SVCP Revolver”) and, prior to its full repayment on August 9, 2017, the Leverage Program included a $100.5 million term loan issued by the Operating Company (the “Term Loan” and together with the SVCP Revolver, the “SVCP Facility”). Additionally, prior to the repurchase and retirement of the remaining preferred limited partner interests in the Operating Company (the “Preferred Interests”) on September 3, 2015, the Leverage Program also included amounts outstanding under a preferred equity facility issued by the Operating Company.

The SVCP 2022 Facility matures on February 28, 2022, subject to extension by the lenders at the request of the Operating Company, and contains an accordion feature pursuant to which the credit line may increase up to an aggregate of $300.0 million, subject to consent from the applicable lenders and other customary conditions. Borrowings under the SVCP 2022 Facility generally bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.25%.

The TCPC Funding Facility matures on April 26, 2021, subject to extension by the lender at the request of TCPC Funding, and contains an accordion feature which allows for expansion of the facility up to $400.0 million subject to consent from the lender and other customary conditions. Borrowings under the TCPC Funding Facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus either 2.25% or 2.50% per annum subject to certain funding requirements, plus an administrative fee of 0.25% per annum. In addition to amounts due on outstanding debt, the facility accrues commitment fees of 0.50% per annum on the unused portion of the facility, or 0.75% per annum when the unused portion is greater than 33.0% of the total facility, plus an administrative fee of 0.25% per annum. On June 11, 2014, the Company issued $108.0 million of convertible senior unsecured notes that mature on December 15, 2019, unless previously converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms.

The 2019 Convertible Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, and rank structurally junior to the SVCP 2022 Facility, TCPC Funding Facility and the SBA Program. The Company does not have the right to redeem the 2019 Convertible Notes prior to maturity. The 2019 Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 5.25%, payable semi-annually. On August 30, 2016 the Company issued $140.0 million of convertible senior unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2022, unless previously converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms.

The 2022 Convertible Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, and rank structurally junior to the SVCP 2022 Facility, TCPC Funding Facility and the SBA Program. The Company does not have the right to redeem the 2022 Convertible Notes prior to maturity. The 2022 Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.625%, payable semi-annually. On August 4, 2017, the Company issued $125.0 million of unsecured notes that mature on August 11, 2022, unless previously repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms. On November 3, 2017, the Company issued an additional $50.0 million of unsecured notes as a follow-on issuance of the 2022 Notes.

The 2022 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, and rank structurally junior to the SVCP 2022 Facility, the TCPC Funding Facility and the SBA Program, and rank pari passu with the 2019 Convertible

Notes and 2022 Convertible Notes. The 2022 Notes may be redeemed in whole or part at the Company's option at a redemption price equal to par plus a “make whole” premium, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2022 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest. The 2022 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.125%, payable semi-annually.

The weighted-average financing rate on the Leverage Program at December 31, 2017 was 4.13%.

Market opportunity

We believe that our Advisor has a consistent, non-cyclical track record of finding profitable opportunities to lend its managed assets to middle-market companies under most market conditions. However, there can be no assurances that our Advisor will be able to source profitable opportunities of this type for us, and we have a limited record operating as a BDC. We believe that the current environment for direct lending to middle-market companies is especially attractive for several reasons that include:

Reduced lending to middle-market companies by commercial banks. Recent regulatory changes, including the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the introduction of new international capital and liquidity requirements under the Basel III Accords, or Basel III, and the continued ownership of legacy non-performing assets have significantly curtailed banks’ lending capacity. In response, we believe that many commercial lenders have de-emphasized their service and product offerings to middle-market companies in favor of lending, managing capital markets transactions and providing other non-credit services to their larger customers. We expect bank lending to middle-market companies to continue to be constrained for several years as Basel III rules phase in and rules and regulations are promulgated and interpreted under the Dodd-Frank Act.

Limited availability of capital for middle-market companies. We believe that certain structural changes in the market have reduced the amount of capital available to middle-market companies. In particular, we believe there are currently fewer traditional providers of capital to middle-market companies. Traditional middle-market lenders, such as commercial and regional banks and commercial finance companies, have contracted their origination activities and are focusing on more liquid asset classes. At the same time, many institutional investors seek to invest in larger, more liquid offerings, limiting the ability of many middle-market companies to raise debt capital through public capital markets. We believe the Basel III Accord and regulations imposed by the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, significantly increase capital and liquidity requirements for banks, decreasing their capacity to hold non-investment grade leveraged loans on their balance sheets. We believe these factors reduce the capacity of traditional lenders to serve this market.

Middle-market companies are increasingly seeking lenders with access to permanent capital for debt and equity capital. We believe that many middle-market companies prefer to borrow from capital providers like us, rather than execute high-yield bond or equity transactions in the public markets that may necessitate increased financial and regulatory compliance and reporting obligations. Further, we believe many middle-market companies are inclined to seek capital from a small number of providers with access to permanent capital that can satisfy their specific needs and can serve as value-added, long-term financial partners with an understanding of the companies’ growth needs.

Conservative capital structures. We believe the middle-market represents a significant portion of the overall economy, and the demand for capital by middle-market companies reflects generally stronger growth trends and financial performance. In addition, due to the fragmented nature of the middle-market and the lack of publicly available information, we believe lenders have an opportunity to originate and underwrite investments with more favorable terms, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, as well as better call protection and change of control provisions as compared to the large, broadly syndicated loan market.

Company History and BDC Conversion

We were organized on July 17, 2006, commenced operations on July 31, 2006 and registered as a non-diversified closed-end management investment company under the 1940 Act. We were formed as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware, converted to a Delaware corporation on April 2, 2012 and elected BDC status on April 2, 2012.

The Operating Company was formed as a limited partnership under the laws of the State of Delaware. On July 31, 2006, the Operating Company registered as a non-diversified closed-end management investment

company under the 1940 Act. The Operating Company issued common limited partner interests to the Holding Company and also issued preferred limited partner interests to the lenders under the Leverage Program. The Operating Company elected to convert from a closed-end fund to a BDC on April 2, 2012. The Holding Company currently conducts its investment operations through the Operating Company. In this regard, the Holding Company will invest substantially all of the net proceeds from the offerings in the common limited partner interests of the Operating Company and the Operating Company, in turn, will invest the proceeds in portfolio companies. See “Use of Proceeds.” Following termination of the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility, it is possible that the Operating Company will elect to terminate its existence, in which case it expects to transfer its remaining assets to the Holding Company, and the Holding Company expects to continue operations as a stand-alone BDC and make investments directly, rather than through the Operating Company, in accordance with the investment objective and policies described herein. The SVCP 2022 Facility is scheduled to mature on February 28, 2022, subject to extension at the request of the Operating Company, and the TCPC Funding Facility is scheduled to mature on April 26, 2021, subject to extension at the request of TCPC Funding. TCPC Funding is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Company. The Operating Company will transfer certain loans it has originated or acquired or will originate or acquire from time to time to TCPC Funding pursuant to a Sale and Contribution Agreement and various supporting documentation. TCPC SBIC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Company.

An organizational structure diagram showing our organizational structure is set forth below:

The Holding Company’s management consists of our Advisor and its board of directors. The Operating Company’s management consists of our Advisor, the General Partner and its board of directors. The board of directors of the Holding Company and the Operating Company are comprised of the same individuals, the majority of whom are independent of our Advisor and the General Partner. Our Advisor directs and executes the day-to-day operations of the Holding Company, and our Advisor directs and executes the day-to-day investment operations and the General Partner directs and executes the day-to-day operational activities of the Operating Company, in each case subject to oversight from the respective boards of directors, which set the broad policies of the Holding Company and perform certain functions required by the 1940 Act for the Operating Company. The board of directors of the Operating Company has delegated investment management of the Operating Company’s assets to our Advisor, subject to oversight by the board of directors. The managing member of the General Partner is our Advisor, which serves as the investment advisor of each of the Holding Company, the

Operating Company and TCPC Funding. All of the equity interests in the General Partner are owned directly by our Advisor. The Holding Company currently owns all of the common interests in the Operating Company and expects to have the ability to maintain that status. While the Operating Company is permitted to issue securities to persons other than the Holding Company, under the Operating Company’s limited partnership agreement (the “LPA”), board approval is required to issue equity interests of the Operating Company, and the Holding Company directors also serve as the directors of the Operating Company so as to be able to control any issuances by the Operating Company. TCPC Funding is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Company. TCPC SBIC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Company.

Operating and Regulatory Tax Structure

The Holding Company elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under the Code. As a RIC, the Holding Company generally does not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gain that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends if we meet certain source-of-income, distribution and asset diversification requirements. Neither the Operating Company nor TCPC Funding is a RIC, nor will either of them seek RIC status and instead each is intended to be treated as a partnership for tax purposes. The Holding Company and the Operating Company have elected to be treated as BDCs under the 1940 Act. As a BDC we are required to invest at least 70% of our total assets primarily in securities of private and certain U.S. public companies (other than investment companies and certain financial institutions), cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities, and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less and to comply with other regulatory requirements, including limitations on our use of debt. Because the Holding Company and the Operating Company are each BDCs, their assets, liabilities and results of operations will be consolidated for purposes of this 70% requirement.

Conflicts of Interests

Our Advisor and the General Partner currently do, and in the future may, manage funds and accounts other than the Company, which we refer to as the Other Advisor Accounts, with similar investment objectives as the Company. The investment policies, advisor compensation arrangements and other circumstances of the Company may vary from those of Other Advisor Accounts. Accordingly, conflicts may arise regarding the allocation of investments or opportunities among the Company and Other Advisor Accounts. Investments that are suitable for the Company may not be suitable for the Other Advisor Accounts and investments that are suitable for the Other Advisor Accounts may not be suitable for the Company. In certain cases, investment opportunities may be made other than on a pro rata basis. For example, we may desire to retain an asset at the same time that one or more Other Advisor Accounts desire to sell it or we may not have additional capital to invest at a time Other Advisor Accounts do. Our Advisor and its affiliates intend to allocate investment opportunities to us and Other Advisor Accounts in a manner that they believe in their judgment and based upon their fiduciary duties to be appropriate considering a variety of factors such as the investment objectives, size of transaction, investable assets, alternative investments potentially available, prior allocations, liquidity, maturity, expected holding period, diversification, lender covenants and other limitations of ours and the Other Advisor Accounts. To the extent that investment opportunities are suitable for the Company and one or more Other Advisor Accounts, our Advisor and the General Partner will allocate investment opportunities pro rata among the Company and Other Advisor Accounts based on the amount of funds each then has available for such investment taking into account these factors. Investment opportunities in certain privately placed securities will be subject to allocation pursuant to the terms of a co-investment exemptive order under the 1940 Act applicable to funds and accounts managed by our Advisor and its affiliates.

There may be situations in which one or more funds or accounts managed by our Advisor or its affiliates might invest in different securities issued by the same company. It is possible that if the company’s financial performance and condition deteriorates such that one or both investments are or could be impaired, our Advisor might face a conflict of interest given the difference in seniority of the respective investments. In such situations, our Advisor would review the conflict on a case-by-case basis and implement procedures consistent with its fiduciary duty to enable it to act fairly to each of its clients in the circumstances. Any steps by our Advisor will take into consideration the interests of each of the affected clients, the circumstances giving rise to the conflict, the procedural efficacy of various methods of addressing the conflict and applicable legal requirements.

Company Information

Our administrative and executive offices are located at 2951 28th Street, Suite 1000, Santa Monica, CA 90405, and our telephone number is (310) 566-1094. We maintain a website at http://www.tcpcapital.com. Information contained on this website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus.

Risks

Investing in the Company and the Securities offered by this prospectus involves a high degree of risk. These risks, among others, include:

See “Risks” beginning on page 19 of this prospectus for a more detailed discussion of these and other material risks you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our Securities.

Presentation of Historical Financial Information

Unless otherwise indicated, historical references contained in this prospectus in “— Selected Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Senior Securities” and “Portfolio Companies” relate to the Holding Company and the Operating Company on a consolidated basis.

THE OFFERING

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, together or separately, up to $424,751,980 million of our Securities, which we expect to use to repay amounts outstanding under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility, if any, (which will increase the funds under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility available to us to make additional investments in portfolio companies) and to use the remainder to make investments in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and for other general corporate purposes, including payment of operating expenses.

Our Securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering will disclose the terms of that offering, including the name or names of any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the sale of our Securities, the purchase price, and any fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents, underwriters or dealers, or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution.” We may not sell our Securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such Securities.

Set forth below is additional information regarding the offering of our Securities:

The investment management agreements also provide for performance based returns to our Advisor (referred to herein as “incentive compensation”). Under the investment management agreements and the LPA, pursuant to which incentive compensation was distributed to the General Partner prior to January 1, 2018, no incentive compensation was incurred until after January 1, 2013.

The incentive compensation is calculated as the sum of (1) 20% of all ordinary income since January 1, 2013 and (2) 20% of all net realized capital gains (net of any net unrealized capital depreciation) since January 1, 2013, with each component being subject to a total return limitation of 8% of contributed common equity. Through December 31, 2017, the incentive compensation initially was an equity allocation to

the General Partner under the LPA. Effective January 1, 2018, the LPA was amended to remove the incentive compensation distribution provisions therein, and the incentive compensation became payable as a fee to our Advisor pursuant to the investment management agreements. The amendment has no impact on the amount of the incentive compensation paid or services received by the Operating Company.

The incentive compensation has two components, ordinary income and capital gains. Each of the two components of incentive compensation is separately subject to a total return limitation. Thus, we are not obligated to pay or distribute any ordinary income incentive compensation or any capital gains incentive compensation if the cumulative total return does not exceed an 8% annual return on daily weighted average contributed common equity. If such cumulative total return does exceed 8%, we are not obligated to pay or distribute any ordinary income incentive compensation or any capital gains incentive compensation to the extent such amount would exceed 20% of the cumulative total return of the Company that exceeds a 10% annual return on daily weighted average contributed common equity, plus all of the cumulative total return that exceeds an 8% annual return on daily weighted average contributed common equity but is not more than a 10% annual return on daily weighted average contributed common equity, less cumulative incentive compensation previously paid or distributed (whether on ordinary income or capital gains).

Subject to the above limitation, the ordinary income component of incentive compensation is the amount, if positive, equal to 20% of the cumulative ordinary income before incentive compensation, less cumulative ordinary income incentive compensation previously paid or distributed.

Subject to the above limitation, the capital gains component of the incentive compensation is the amount, if positive, equal to 20% of the cumulative realized capital gains (computed net of cumulative realized losses and cumulative unrealized capital depreciation), less cumulative capital gains incentive compensation previously paid or distributed.

For purposes of the foregoing computations and the total return limitation, the relevant terms are defined in detail in the section entitled “Management of the Company — Investment Management Agreements.”

The base management fee and the incentive compensation, if any, are paid by the Operating Company to our Advisor. The Holding Company, therefore, indirectly bears these amounts, which are reflected in our consolidated financial statements. If the Operating Company is terminated or for any other reason incentive compensation is not paid by the Operating Company, such compensation would be paid to our Advisor directly by the Holding Company pursuant to its investment management agreement with our Advisor to ensure that the appropriate aggregate amount of incentive compensation is paid. On a consolidated basis, the aggregate compensation is limited to 1.5% of total assets and 20% of the relevant components of income and realized capital gains. See “Management of the Company — Investment Management Agreements” for a more detailed description of the investment management arrangements.

offering that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such offering, our stockholders approved our ability to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at any level of discount from net asset value per share for a twelve month period expiring on the anniversary of the date of stockholder approval. We are seeking stockholder approval at our 2018 annual meeting to continue for an additional year our ability to issue shares of common stock below net asset value, subject to the condition that the maximum number of shares salable below net asset value pursuant to this authority in any particular offering that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such offering. The possibility that our shares may trade at a discount to our net asset value is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. Our net asset value immediately following an offering will reflect reductions resulting from the sales load and the amount of such offering expenses paid by us. This risk may have a greater effect on investors expecting to sell their shares soon after completion of such offering, and our shares may be more appropriate for long-term investors than for investors with shorter investment horizons. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade above, at or below net asset value. See “Risks.”

We maintain a website at http://www.tcpcapital.com and we make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information, including the SAI, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, available, free of charge, on or through this website. You may also obtain such information by contacting us at 2951 28th Street, Suite 1000, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or by calling us collect at (310) 566-1094. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus.

FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in this offering will bear directly or indirectly. The following table and example should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than shown. The following table and example represent our best estimate of the fees and expenses that we expect to incur during the next twelve months. We currently do not intend to issue preferred stock in the next year. Further, the fees and expenses below are presented on a consolidated basis directly or indirectly to include expenses of the Company and the Operating Company that investors in this offering will bear.

Each of the two components of incentive compensation is separately subject to a total return limitation. Thus, notwithstanding the following provisions, we are not obligated to pay or distribute any ordinary income incentive compensation or any capital gains incentive compensation if our cumulative total return does not exceed an 8% annual return on daily weighted average contributed common equity. The incentive compensation we would pay is subject to a total return limitation. That is, no incentive compensation is paid if our cumulative annual total return is less than 8% of our average contributed common equity. If our cumulative annual total return is above 8%, the total cumulative incentive compensation we pay is not more than 20% of our cumulative total return, or, if lower, the amount of our cumulative total return that exceeds the 8% annual rate.

Subject to the above limitation, the ordinary income component is the amount, if positive, equal to 20% of the cumulative ordinary income before incentive compensation, less cumulative ordinary income incentive compensation previously paid or distributed.

Subject to the above limitation, the capital gains component is the amount, if positive, equal to 20% of the cumulative realized capital gains (computed net of cumulative realized losses and cumulative net unrealized capital depreciation), less cumulative capital gains incentive compensation previously paid or distributed. For assets held on January 1, 2013, capital gain, loss and depreciation are measured on an asset by asset basis against the value thereof as of December 31, 2012. The capital gains component is paid or distributed in full prior to payment or distribution of the ordinary income component.

December 31, 2017, which was 3.86%. “Interest Payments on Borrowed Funds” additionally represents interest and fees estimated to be accrued on our $108.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.25% convertible senior unsecured notes due 2019, which bear interest at an annual rate of 5.25%, payable semi-annually, and are convertible into shares of our common stock under certain circumstances, our $140.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 4.625% convertible senior unsecured notes due 2022, which bear interest at an annual rate of 4.625%, payable semi-annually, and are convertible into shares of our common stock under certain circumstances, our $175.0 million in aggregate principal amount of notes due 2022, which bear interest at an annual rate of 4.125%, payable semi-annually, and our $150.0 million of committed leverage from the SBA, which SBA debentures, once drawn, bear an interim interest rate of LIBOR plus 30 basis points, are non-recourse and may be prepaid at any time without penalty, and assumes that the committed leverage from the SBA is fully drawn. When we borrow money or issue preferred stock, all of our interest and preferred stock dividend payments are indirectly borne by our common stockholders.

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses (including stockholder transaction expenses and annual expenses) that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed that our annual operating expenses remain at the levels set forth in the table above.

While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. There is no incentive compensation either on income or on capital gains under our investment management agreements and the LPA, pursuant to which incentive compensation was distributed to the General Partner prior to January 1, 2018, assuming a 5% annual return and therefore it is not included in the example. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger an incentive compensation of a material amount, our distributions to our common stockholders and our expenses would likely be higher. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend or distribution payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you,” the “Company,” the “Holding Company,” the “Operating Company” or “us,” our common stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses, including through the Company’s investment in the Operating Company.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial and other data below reflects the consolidated historical operations of the Holding Company and the Operating Company. This consolidated financial and other data is the Holding Company’s historical financial and other data. The Operating Company will continue to be the Holding Company’s sole investment following the completion of this offering.

The selected consolidated financial data below for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 has been derived from our consolidated financial statements that were audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. The selected consolidated financial data below for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 has been derived from our consolidated financial statements that were audited by Ernst & Young LLP, our former independent registered public accounting firm. This selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes thereto, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Senior Securities” included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The historical and future financial information may not be representative of the Company’s financial information in future periods.

RISKS

Before you invest in our Securities, you should be aware of various risks, including those described below. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto, before you decide whether to make an investment in our Securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face, but they are the principal risks associated with an investment in the Company as well as generally associated with investment in a company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to the Company’s. Such risk factors also describe the special risks of investing in a business development company, including the risks associated with investing in a portfolio of small and developing or financially troubled businesses. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that are currently immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline, or the value of our preferred stock, debt securities and warrants, if any are outstanding, may decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Certain risks in the current environment

Capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. Such market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations.

From time to time, capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability, which may be evidenced by a lack of liquidity in debt capital markets, write-offs in the financial services sector, re-pricing of credit risk and failure of certain major financial institutions. An example of such disruption and instability occurred between 2008 and 2009. During that period, despite actions of the U.S. federal government and foreign governments, such disruption and instability contributed to worsening general economic conditions that materially and adversely impacted the broader financial and credit markets and reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial services firms in particular. While capital markets have improved in recent years, these conditions could deteriorate again and global financial markets could experience significant volatility. During such market disruptions, we may have difficulty raising debt or equity capital especially as a result of regulatory constraints. There can be no assurance that adverse market conditions will not repeat themselves or worsen in the future. Equity capital may be difficult to raise because, subject to some limited exceptions, as a BDC, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of common stock at a price less than net asset value without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our independent directors. At our annual meeting of stockholders held on May 25, 2017, subject to the condition that the maximum number of shares salable below net asset value pursuant to this authority in any particular offering that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such offering, our stockholders approved our ability to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below its then current net asset value per share for a twelve month period expiring on the anniversary of the date of stockholder approval. It should be noted that, theoretically, we may offer up to 25% of our then outstanding common stock each day. We are seeking stockholder approval at our 2018 annual meeting to continue for an additional year our ability to issue shares of common stock below net asset value, subject to the condition that the maximum number of shares salable below net asset value pursuant to this authority in any particular offering that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such offering. In addition, our ability to incur indebtedness (including by issuing preferred stock) is limited by applicable regulations such that our asset coverage, as calculated in accordance with the 1940 Act, must equal at least 200% (or 150% under certain circumstances) immediately after each time we incur indebtedness. The debt capital that will be available to us in the future, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than our current leverage. Any inability to raise capital could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Market conditions may in the future make it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. The re-appearance of market conditions similar to those experienced from 2008 through 2009 for any substantial length of time could make it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness or obtain new indebtedness with similar terms and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. The debt capital that

will be available to us in the future, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than what we currently experience. Further, if we are unable to raise or refinance debt, then our equity investors may not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity resulting from leverage and we may be limited in our ability to make new commitments or to fund existing commitments to our portfolio companies.

The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if required. As a result, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments. In addition, significant changes in the capital markets, including the disruption and volatility, have had, and may in the future have, a negative effect on the valuations of our investments and on the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. An inability to raise capital, and any required sale of our investments for liquidity purposes, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the fair value of our portfolio investments, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation.

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of our board of directors. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation, which reduces our net asset value. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer additional unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The downgrade of the U.S. credit rating, the economic crisis in Europe, turbulence in Chinese markets and global commodity markets or other macro-economic events could negatively impact our business, financial condition and earnings.

Although U.S. lawmakers passed legislation to raise the federal debt ceiling and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services affirmed its 'AA+' long term sovereign credit rating on the United States and revised the outlook on the long-term rating from negative to stable in June of 2013, U.S. debt ceiling and budget deficit concerns together with signs of deteriorating sovereign debt conditions in Europe continue to present the possibility of a credit-rating downgrade, economic slowdowns, or a recession for the United States. The impact of any further downgrades to the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating or downgraded sovereign credit ratings of European countries or the Russian Federation, or their perceived creditworthiness could adversely affect the U.S. and global financial markets and economic conditions. These developments, along with any further European sovereign debt issues, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. Continued adverse economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In 2010, a financial crisis emerged in Europe, triggered by high budget deficits and rising direct and contingent sovereign debt in Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain, which created concerns about the ability of these nations to continue to service their sovereign debt obligations. While the financial stability of many of such countries has improved significantly, risks resulting from any future debt crisis in Europe or any similar crisis could have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, sovereign and non-sovereign debt in these countries and the financial condition of European financial institutions. In July and August 2015, Greece reached agreements with its international creditors for bailouts that provide aid in exchange for austerity terms that had previously been rejected by Greek voters. Market and economic disruptions have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. We cannot assure you that market disruptions in Europe, including the increased cost of funding for certain governments and financial institutions, will not impact the global economy, and we cannot assure you that assistance packages will be available, or if available, be sufficient to stabilize countries and markets in Europe or elsewhere affected by a financial crisis. To the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe negatively impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.

In addition, stock prices in China experienced a significant decline in the second quarter of 2015, resulting primarily from continued sell-off of shares trading in Chinese markets. In August 2015, Chinese authorities

sharply devalued China's currency. Chinese market volatility has been followed by volatility in stock markets around the world, including in the United States, and increased volatility in commodity markets, such as reductions in prices of crude oil. Continued volatility in Chinese markets may have a contagion effect across the financial markets. These market and economic disruptions affected, and may in the future affect, the U.S. capital markets, which could adversely affect our business.

Additionally, Russian intervention in Ukraine beginning in 2014 significantly increased regional geopolitical tensions. The situation remains fluid with potential for further escalation of geopolitical tensions, increased severity of sanctions against Russian interests, and possible Russian countermeasures. Further economic sanctions could destabilize the economic environment and result in increased volatility. Should the economic recovery in the United States be adversely impacted by increased volatility in the global financial markets caused by developments as a result of the Russian sanctions, further turbulence in Chinese markets and global commodity markets or for any other reason, loan and asset growth and liquidity conditions at U.S. financial institutions, including us, may deteriorate.

In October 2014, the Federal Reserve announced that it was concluding its bond-buying program, or quantitative easing, which was designed to stimulate the economy and expand the Federal Reserve’s holdings of long-term securities, suggesting that key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate, had showed signs of improvement since the inception of the program. In December 2016, the Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate, which was only the second such interest rate hike in nearly a decade, and during 2017, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate three more times, and may continue to raise the Federal Funds Rate over time. To the extent the Federal Reserve continues to raise rates, and without quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve, there is a risk that the debt markets may experience increased volatility and that the liquidity of certain of our investments may be reduced. These developments, along with the United States government's credit and deficit concerns, the European sovereign debt crisis and the economic slowdown in China could cause interest rates to be volatile, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms.

As of December 31, 2017, the Trump administration has called for significant changes to U.S. trade, healthcare, immigration, foreign and government regulatory policy. In this regard, there is significant uncertainty with respect to legislation, regulation and government policy at the federal level, as well as the state and local levels. Recent events have created a climate of heightened uncertainty and introduced new and difficult-to-quantify macroeconomic and political risks with potentially far-reaching implications. There has been a corresponding meaningful increase in the uncertainty surrounding interest rates, inflation, foreign exchange rates, trade volumes and fiscal monetary policy. To the extent the U.S. Congress or Trump administration implements changes to U.S. policy, those changes may impact, among other things, the U.S. and global economy, international trade and relations, unemployment, immigration, corporate taxes, healthcare, the U.S. regulatory environment, inflation and other areas. Some particular areas identified as subject to potential change, amendment or repeal include the Dodd-Frank Wall street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), including the Volcker Rule and various swaps and derivatives regulations, credit risk retention requirements and the authorities of the Federal Reserve, the Financial Stability Oversight Council and the SEC. Although we cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes to our business, they could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Until we know what policy changes are made and how those changes impact our business and the business of our competitors over the long term, we will not know if, overall, we will benefit from them or be negatively affected by them.

On February 3, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13772 announcing the new Administration's policy to regulate the U.S. financial system in a manner consistent with certain “Core Principles,” including regulation that is efficient, effective and appropriately tailored. The Executive Order directed the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the head of the member agencies of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, to report to the President on the extent to which existing laws, regulations and other government policies promote the Core Principles and to identify government policies that inhibit financial regulation consistent with them. On June 12, 2017, the U.S. Department of the Treasury published the first of four reports in response to the Executive Order on the depository system covering banks and other savings institutions. Subsequent reports are expected to address: capital markets; the asset management and insurance industries, and retail and institutional investment products and vehicles; and non-bank financial institutions, financial technology and financial innovation. The report included recommendations to reduce fragmentation, overlap, and duplication in the U.S.

regulatory structure; to decrease the burden of statutory stress testing and ease liquidity and leverage standards for domestic banks; to restructure the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; to reduce compliance burdens under the Volcker Rule; to reconsider the implications of implementing the revised standards for credit risk under Basel III; and to require uniform, consistent rigorous methods to analyze costs and benefits, increase transparency and make available for public comment cost-benefit analyses for all “economically significant” proposed regulations.

On June 8, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Financial Choice Act, which includes legislation intended to repeal or replace substantial portions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Among other things, the proposed law would repeal the Volcker Rule limiting certain proprietary investment and trading activities by banks, eliminate the authority of regulators to designate asset managers and other large non-bank institutions as “systematically important financial institutions,” and repeal the Department of Labor (DOL) “fiduciary rule” governing standards for dealing with retirement plans until the SEC issues standards for similar dealings by broker-dealers and limiting the substance of any subsequent DOL rule to the SEC standards. The bill must be approved by the Senate, where we believe it is unlikely to pass in its current form. At this time it is unclear what impact the Administration's policies in response to the Executive Order, the Financial Choice Act or other pending legislation and developments will have on regulations that affect our and our competitors' and our portfolio companies' businesses.

Congress has recently enacted a tax reform bill that, among other things, significantly changes the taxation of business entities, the deductibility of certain items of loss and expense (including limits on the deductibility of interest expense), and the timing in which certain income items are recognized. We cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes to our business or the business of the portfolio companies in which we invest. Until we can evaluate how these changes impact our business and the business of our portfolio companies over the long term, we will not know if, overall, we will benefit from them or be negatively impacted by them.

Uncertainty regarding the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union could negatively impact our business, financial condition and earnings.

As a consequence of the United Kingdom's vote to withdraw from the European Union (the “EU”), the government of the United Kingdom gave notice of its withdrawal from the EU (“Brexit”). As a result of this decision, the financial markets experienced high levels of volatility and it is likely that, in the near term, Brexit will continue to bring about higher levels of uncertainty and volatility. During this period of uncertainty, the negative impact on not only the United Kingdom and European economies, but the broader global economy, could be significant, potentially resulting in increased market and currency volatility (including volatility of the value of the British pound sterling relative to the United States dollar and other currencies and volatility in global currency markets generally), and illiquidity and lower economic growth for companies that rely significantly on Europe for their business activities and revenues. It is possible that certain economic activity will be curtailed until some signs of clarity begin to emerge, including negotiations around the terms for the United Kingdom's exit out of the EU. Additional risks associated with the outcome of Brexit include macroeconomic risk to the United Kingdom and European economies, impetus for further disintegration of the EU and related political stresses (including those related to sentiment against cross border capital movements and activities of investors like us), prejudice to financial services businesses that are conducting business in the EU and which are based in the United Kingdom, legal uncertainty regarding achievement of compliance with applicable financial and commercial laws and regulations in view of the expected steps to be taken pursuant to or in contemplation of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union and negotiations undertaken under Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and the unavailability of timely information as to expected legal, tax and other regimes. Any further exits from the EU, or the possibility of such exits, would likely cause additional market disruption globally and introduce new legal and regulatory uncertainties.

Rising interest rates may adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our debt investments may be based on floating rates, such as London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”), EURIBOR, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could also have an adverse impact on our net interest income. An increase in interest rates may have a negative impact on the

ability of our portfolio companies to repay borrowings and could decrease the value of any investments we hold which earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock.

Because we have borrowed money, and may issue preferred stock to finance investments, our net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay distributions on preferred stock and the rate that our investments yield. As a result, we can offer no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase except to the extent we have issued fixed rate debt or preferred stock, which could reduce our net investment income.

You should also be aware that a change in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to a change in the interest rate we receive on many of our debt investments. Accordingly, a change in the interest rate could make it easier for us to meet or exceed the performance threshold and may result in a substantial increase in the amount of incentive compensation payable to our Advisor with respect to the portion of the incentive compensation based on income.

Changes relating to the LIBOR calculation process and the phase-out of LIBOR may adversely affect the value of the LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities in our portfolio.

In July 2017, the head of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority announced the desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. There is currently no definitive information regarding the future utilization of LIBOR or of any particular replacement rate. As such, the potential effect on any such event on our cost of capital and net investment income cannot yet be determined.

Actions by the British Bankers’ Association (“BBA”), regulators or law enforcement agencies as a result of these or future events, may result in changes to the manner in which LIBOR is determined. Potential changes, uncertainty related to such potential changes and the phase-out of LIBOR may adversely affect the market for LIBOR-based securities, including our portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities. In addition, any further changes or reforms to the determination or supervision of LIBOR may result in a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in reported LIBOR, which could have an adverse impact on the market for LIBOR-based securities or the value of our portfolio of LIBOR-indexed, floating-rate debt securities.

Risks related to our business

We may not replicate the Company’s historical performance or the historical performance of other entities managed or supported by our Advisor.

We may not be able to replicate the Company’s historical performance or the historical performance of our Advisor’s investments, and our investment returns may be substantially lower than the returns achieved by the Company in the past. We can offer no assurance that our Advisor will be able to continue to implement our investment objective with the same degree of success as it has had in the past.

Our business model depends upon the development and maintenance of strong referral relationships with other asset managers and investment banking firms.

We are substantially dependent on our informal relationships, which we use to help identify and gain access to investment opportunities. If we fail to maintain our relationships with key firms, or if we fail to establish strong referral relationships with other firms or other sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our portfolio of equity investments and achieve our investment objective. In addition, persons with whom we have informal relationships are not obligated to inform us of investment opportunities, and therefore such relationships may not lead to the origination of equity or other investments. Any loss or diminishment of such relationships could effectively reduce our ability to identify attractive portfolio companies that meet our investment criteria, either for direct equity investments or for investments through private secondary market transactions or other secondary transactions.

Our Advisor’s liability is limited under the investment management agreement, and we are required to indemnify our Advisor against certain liabilities, which may lead our Advisor to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

Our Advisor has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the investment management agreement, and it will not be responsible for any action of our board of directors in declining to follow our Advisor's advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the investment management agreement, our Advisor and its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons and members and any other person or entity affiliated with it will not be liable to us for their acts under the investment management agreement, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. We have agreed to indemnify, defend and protect our Advisor and its members and their respective officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons and members and any other person or entity affiliated with it with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses resulting from acts of our Advisor not arising out of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties under the investment and management agreement. These protections may lead our Advisor to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.

We may suffer credit losses.

Investment in middle-market companies is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk of credit loss, and therefore our securities may not be suitable for someone with a low tolerance for risk. These risks are likely to increase during an economic recession.

Our use of borrowed funds, including under the Leverage Program, to make investments exposes us to risks typically associated with leverage.

The Operating Company borrows money, both directly and indirectly through TCPC Funding and TCPC SBIC. As a result:

Any preferred stock we may issue have similar risks to our common stockholders as borrowings. Such preferred securities rank “senior” to common stock in our capital structure, resulting in such preferred securities having certain separate voting rights, dividend and liquidation rights, and possibly other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those granted to holders of our common stock. For example, payment of dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of such preferred securities would take preference over any dividends or other payments to our common stockholders, and preferred holders would not be subject to any of our expenses or losses. Furthermore, the issuance of any preferred securities could delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common stockholders or otherwise be in your best interest.

The use of leverage creates increased risk of loss and is considered a speculative investment technique. The use of leverage magnifies the potential gains and losses from an investment and increases the risk of loss of capital. To the extent that income derived by us from investments purchased with borrowed funds is greater than

the cost of borrowing or the issuances of preferred stock, our net income will be greater than if borrowing or issuing and servicing the preferred stock had not been used. Conversely, if the income from investments purchased from these sources is not sufficient to cover the cost of the leverage, our net investment income will be less than if leverage had not been used, and the amount available for ultimate distribution to the holders of common stock will be reduced. The extent to which the gains and losses associated with leveraged investing are increased will generally depend on the degree of leverage employed. We may, under some circumstances, be required to dispose of investments under unfavorable market conditions in order to maintain our leverage, thus causing us to recognize a loss that might not otherwise have occurred. In the event of a sale of investments upon default under our borrowing arrangements, secured creditors will be contractually entitled to direct such sales and may be expected to do so in their interest, rather than in the interests of the holders of common stock. Holders of common stock will incur losses if the proceeds from a sale in any of the foregoing circumstances are insufficient, after payment in full of amounts due and payable on leverage, including administrative expenses, to repay such holders investments in our common stock. As a result, you could experience a total loss of your investment. Any decrease in our revenue would cause our net income to decline more than it would have had we not borrowed funds and could negatively affect our ability to make distributions on our common stock. The ability to service any debt that we have or may have outstanding depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. There is no limitation on the percentage of portfolio investments that can be pledged to secure borrowings. The amount of leverage that we employ at any particular time will depend on our Advisor’s and our board of director’s assessments of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.

In addition to regulatory restrictions that restrict our ability to raise capital, the Leverage Program contains various covenants which, if not complied with, could accelerate repayment under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility, thereby materially and adversely affecting our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

Under the Leverage Program, we must comply with certain financial and operational covenants. These covenants include:

In addition, by limiting the circumstances in which borrowings may occur under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility, the credit agreements related to such facilities (the “Credit Agreements”) in effect provide for various asset coverage, credit quality and diversification limitations on our investments. Such limitations may cause us to be unable to make or retain certain potentially attractive investments or to be forced to sell investments at an inappropriate time and consequently impair our profitability or increase losses or result in adverse tax consequences. As of May 22, 2018, we were in compliance with these covenants. However our continued compliance with these covenants depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, there are no assurances that we will continue to comply with the covenants in the Credit Agreements. Failure to comply with these covenants would result in a default under the Credit Agreements which, if we were unable to obtain a waiver from the respective lenders thereunder, could result in an acceleration of repayments under the Credit Agreements.

The SVCP 2022 Facility also has certain “key man” provisions. For example, it is an event of default if any two of Howard M. Levkowitz, Michael Leitner, Philip Tseng or Rajneesh Vig cease to control our Advisor and are not replaced with individuals reasonably acceptable to the administrative agent and the required lenders within 60 days.

On March 23, 2018, the President signed into law the Small Business Credit Availability Act (the “SBCAA”), which included various changes to regulations under the federal securities laws that impact BDCs, including changes to the 1940 Act to allow BDCs to decrease their asset coverage requirement to 150% from

200% under certain circumstances. The Company currently has not determined whether to take advantage of the additional leverage. If the Company chooses to take advantage of such additional leverage, it will mean that for every $100 of net assets, we may raise $200 from senior securities, such as borrowings or issuing preferred stock. If this ratio declines below 150%, we may not be able to incur additional debt and may need to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so, and we may not be able to make distributions.

The SVCP 2022 Facility matures in February 2022 and the TCPC Funding Facility matures in April 2021, subject to extension by the lenders at our request. Any inability to renew, extend or replace the SVCP 2022 Facility and/or TCPC Funding Facility could adversely impact our liquidity and ability to find new investments or maintain distributions to our stockholders.

The SVCP 2022 Facility matures February 28, 2022, subject to extension by the lenders at our request. Advances under the SVCP 2022 Facility generally bear interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum, subject to certain limitations. The TCPC Funding Facility matures on April 26, 2021, subject to an extension by the lender at our request. Advances under the TCPC Funding Facility generally bear interest based on LIBOR plus either 2.25% or 2.50% per annum, subject to certain limitations. We do not currently know whether we will renew, extend or replace the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility upon their maturities or whether we will be able to do so on terms that are as favorable as the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility. In addition, we will be required to liquidate assets to repay amounts due under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility if we do not renew, extend or replace the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility prior to their respective maturities.

Upon the termination of the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility, there can be no assurance that we will be able to enter into a replacement facility on terms that are as favorable to us, if at all. Our ability to replace the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility may be constrained by then-current economic conditions affecting the credit markets. In the event that we are not able to replace the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility at the time of their maturity, this could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and ability to fund new investments, our ability to make distributions to our stockholders and our ability to qualify as a RIC.

The creditors under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility have a first claim on all of the Company’s assets included in the collateral for the respective facilities.

Lenders have fixed dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders. Substantially all of our current assets have been pledged as collateral under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility. If an event of default occurs under either of the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility, the respective lenders would be permitted to accelerate amounts due under the respective facilities and liquidate our assets to pay off amounts owed under the respective facilities and limitations would be imposed on us with respect to the purchase or sale of investments. Such limitations may cause us to be unable to make or retain certain potentially attractive investments or to be forced to sell investments at an inappropriate time and consequently impair our profitability or increase our losses or result in adverse tax consequences.

In the event of the dissolution of the Operating Company or otherwise, if the proceeds of the Operating Company’s assets (after payment in full of obligations to any such debtors) are insufficient to repay capital invested in us by the holders of the common stock, no other assets will be available for the payment of any deficiency. None of our board of directors, our Advisor, the General Partner or any of their respective affiliates, have any liability for the repayment of capital contributions made to the Company by the holders of common stock. Holders of common stock could experience a total loss of their investment in the Company.

Lenders under the SVCP 2022 Facility may have a veto power over the Company’s investment policies.

The lenders under the SVCP 2022 Facility may veto material changes in investment policies unless such changes are required by law or any governmental authority. The SVCP 2022 Facility also has certain limitations on unusual types of investments such as commodities, real estate and speculative derivatives, which are not part of the Company’s investment strategy or policies in any event.

TCPC SBIC may be unable to make distributions to us that will enable us to meet or maintain RIC status, which could result in the imposition of an entity-level tax.

In order for us to continue to qualify for RIC tax treatment and to minimize corporate-level taxes, we will be required to distribute substantially all of our net ordinary income and net capital gain income, including income from certain of our subsidiaries, which includes the income from TCPC SBIC. We will be partially dependent on TCPC SBIC for cash distributions to enable us to meet the RIC distribution requirements. TCPC SBIC may be limited by the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and SBA regulations governing SBICs, from making certain distributions to us that may be necessary to enable us to maintain our status as a RIC. We may have to request a waiver of the SBA's restrictions for TCPC SBIC to make certain distributions to maintain our eligibility for RIC status. We cannot assure you that the SBA will grant such a waiver and if TCPC SBIC is unable to obtain a waiver, compliance with the SBA regulations may result in loss of RIC tax treatment and a consequent imposition of an entity-level tax on us.

TCPC SBIC is subject to SBA regulations, and any failure to comply with SBA regulations could have an adverse effect on our operations.

On April 22, 2014, TCPC SBIC received an SBIC license from the SBA. The SBIC license allows TCPC SBIC to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to the issuance of a capital commitment by the SBA and other customary procedures. SBA-guaranteed debentures are non-recourse, interest only debentures with interest payable semi-annually and have a ten year maturity. The principal amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures is not required to be paid prior to maturity but may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The interest rate of SBA-guaranteed debentures is fixed on a semi-annual basis at a market-driven spread over U.S. Treasury Notes with 10-year maturities. The SBA, as a creditor, will have a superior claim to TCPC SBIC's assets over our stockholders in the event we liquidate TCPC SBIC or the SBA exercises its remedies under the SBA-guaranteed debentures issued by TCPC SBIC upon an event of default.

Under current SBA regulations, a licensed SBIC can provide capital to those entities that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $19.5 million and an average annual net income after Federal income taxes not exceeding $6.5 million for the two most recent fiscal years. In addition, a licensed SBIC must devote 25% of its investment activity to those entities that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $6.0 million and an average annual net income after Federal income taxes not exceeding $2.0 million for the two most recent fiscal years. The SBA regulations also provide alternative size standard criteria to determine eligibility, which depend on the industry in which the business is engaged and are based on factors such as the number of employees and gross sales. The SBA regulations permit licensed SBICs to make long term loans to small businesses, invest in the equity securities of such businesses and provide them with consulting and advisory services. The SBA also places certain limitations on the financing terms of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies and prohibits SBICs from providing funds for certain purposes or to businesses in a few prohibited industries. Compliance with SBA requirements may cause TCPC SBIC to forego attractive investment opportunities that are not permitted under SBA regulations.

Further, the SBA regulations require that a licensed SBIC be periodically examined and audited by the SBA to determine its compliance with the relevant SBA regulations. The SBA prohibits, without prior SBA approval, a “change of control” of an SBIC or any transfers of the capital stock of a licensed SBIC. If TCPC SBIC fails to comply with applicable SBA regulations, the SBA could, depending on the severity of the violation, limit or prohibit its use of debentures, declare outstanding debentures immediately due and payable, and/or limit it from making new investments. In addition, the SBA can revoke or suspend a license for willful or repeated violation of, or willful or repeated failure to observe, any provision of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder. Our Advisor, as TCPC SBIC's investment adviser, does not have any previous experience managing an SBIC. Its limited experience in complying with SBA regulations may hinder its ability to take advantage of TCPC SBIC's access to SBA-guaranteed debentures. Any failure to comply with SBA regulations could have an adverse effect on our operations.

SBA regulations limit the outstanding dollar amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures that may be issued by an SBIC or group of SBICs under common control.

The SBA regulations currently limit the dollar amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures that can be issued by any one SBIC to $150.0 million or to a group of SBICs under common control to $350.0 million.

An SBIC may not borrow an amount in excess of two times (and in certain cases, up to three times) its regulatory capital. As of December 31, 2017, TCPC SBIC had $83.0 million in SBA-guaranteed debentures outstanding. If we reach the maximum dollar amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures permitted, and if we require additional capital, our cost of capital may increase, and there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

Moreover, the current status of TCPC SBIC as an SBIC does not automatically assure that TCPC SBIC will continue to receive SBA-guaranteed debenture funding. Receipt of SBA leverage funding is dependent upon TCPC SBIC continuing to be in compliance with SBA regulations and policies and available SBA funding. The amount of SBA leverage funding available to SBICs is dependent upon annual Congressional authorizations and in the future may be subject to annual Congressional appropriations. There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient debenture funding available at the times desired by TCPC SBIC.

The debentures guaranteed by the SBA have a maturity of ten years and require semi-annual payments of interest. TCPC SBIC will need to generate sufficient cash flow to make required interest payments on the debentures. If TCPC SBIC is unable to meet their financial obligations under the debentures, the SBA, as a creditor, will have a superior claim to TCPC SBIC's assets over our stockholders in the event we liquidate TCPC SBIC or the SBA exercises its remedies under such debentures as the result of a default by us.

If we incur additional leverage, it will increase the risk of investing in shares of our common stock.

The Company has indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Program and expects, in the future, to borrow additional amounts under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility and may increase the size of the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility or enter into other borrowing arrangements.

Illustration. The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below. The calculation is based on our level of leverage at December 31, 2017, which represented borrowings equal to 45.0% of our total assets. On such date, we also had $1,629.4 million in total assets; $1,514.5 million in total investments; an average cost of funds of 4.13%; $733.8 million aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding; and $870.7 million of total net assets. In order to compute the “Corresponding Return to Common Stockholders,” the “Assumed Return on Portfolio (Net of Expenses Other than Interest)” is multiplied by the total value of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2017 to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, interest expense multiplied the combined rate of interest of 4.13% by the $733.8 million of debt is subtracted to determine the return available to stockholders. The return available to stockholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets at December 31, 2017 to determine the “Corresponding Return to Common Stockholders.” Actual interest payments may vary.

The assumed portfolio return in the table is based on SEC regulations and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, our projected or actual performance. The table also assumes that we will maintain a constant level of leverage. The amount of leverage that we use will vary from time to time.

The lack of liquidity in substantially all of our investments may adversely affect our business.

Our investments generally are made and will continue to be made in private companies. Substantially all of these securities will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will be otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded our investments. Further, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we or an affiliated manager has material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.

A substantial portion of our portfolio investments may be recorded at fair value as determined using a consistently applied valuation process in accordance with our documented valuation policy that has been reviewed and approved by our board of directors, who also approve in good faith the valuation of such securities and, as a result, there may be uncertainty regarding the value of our portfolio investments.

The debt and equity investments that we make for which market quotations are not readily available will be valued at fair value as determined using a consistently applied valuation process in accordance with our documented valuation policy that has been reviewed and approved by our board of directors, who also approve in good faith the valuation of such securities. 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 our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if determinations regarding the fair value of these investments were materially higher than the values ultimately realized upon the disposal of such investments.

We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could also have an adverse impact on our net investment income. An increase in interest rates may have a negative impact on the ability of our portfolio companies to repay borrowings and could decrease the value of any investments we hold that earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high-yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock.

Our Advisor may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and certain other entities that could adversely impact our investment returns.

Our Advisor and its affiliates, employees and associates currently do and in the future may manage other funds and accounts, including for other accounts in which certain holders of our common stock have investments, which we refer to as Other Advisor Accounts. Other Advisor Accounts invest in assets that are also eligible for purchase by us. Our investment policies, fee arrangements and other circumstances may vary from those of Other Advisor Accounts. Accordingly, conflicts may arise regarding the allocation of investments or opportunities among us and Other Advisor Accounts. In general, our Advisor and its affiliates will allocate investment opportunities pro rata among us and Other Advisor Accounts (assuming the investment satisfies the objectives of each) based on the amount of committed capital each then has available. The allocation of certain investment opportunities in private placements is subject to independent director approval pursuant to the terms of the co-investment exemptive order applicable to us and described below. In certain cases, investment opportunities may be made other than on a pro rata basis. For example, we may desire to retain an asset at the same time that one or more Other Advisor Accounts desire to sell it or we may not have additional capital to invest at a time Other Advisor Accounts do. When our investment allocations are made on a basis other than pro rata our investment performance may be less favorable when compared to the investment performance of Other Advisor Accounts with respect to those investments. Our Advisor and its affiliates intend to allocate investment opportunities to us and Other Advisor Accounts in a manner that they believe in their judgment and based upon their fiduciary duties to be appropriate given the investment objectives, size of transaction, investable assets, alternative investments potentially available, prior allocations, liquidity, maturity, expected holding period, diversification, lender covenants and other limitations of ours and the Other Advisor Accounts. See “— Risks related to our operations as a BDC — While our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted under the 1940 Act, we have received an exemptive order from the SEC permitting certain affiliated investments subject to certain conditions. As a result, our Advisor may face conflicts of interests and investments made pursuant to the exemptive order conditions could in certain circumstances adversely affect the price paid or received by us or the availability or size of the position purchased or sold by us.”

There may be situations in which Other Advisor Accounts and the Company might invest in different securities issued by the same portfolio company. It is possible that if the portfolio company’s financial performance and condition deteriorates such that one or both investments are or could be impaired, our Advisor

might face a conflict of interest given the difference in seniority of the respective investments. In such situations, our Advisor would review the conflict on a case-by-case basis and implement procedures consistent with its fiduciary duty to enable it to act fairly to the Other Advisor Accounts and the Company under the circumstances. Any steps by our Advisor will take into consideration the interests of each of the affected clients, the circumstances giving rise to the conflict, the procedural efficacy of various methods of addressing the conflict and applicable legal requirements.

Moreover, our Advisor’s investment professionals, its Investment Committee (as defined below), its senior management and employees serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business. Accordingly, these individuals may have obligations to investors in those entities or funds, the fulfillment of which might not be in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders. In addition, certain of the personnel employed by our Advisor or focused on our business may change in ways that are detrimental to our business.

We have limited operating history as a BDC and, if our Advisor is unable to manage our investments effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to manage our business, which will depend, in turn, on the ability of our Advisor to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result will largely be a function of our Advisor's investment process. Although our Advisor has managed closed-end funds with similar restrictions, the 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. Our Advisor's limited experience in operating under these constraints may hinder our Advisor's ability to help us take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objectives. For example, BDCs are prohibited from making any nonqualifying investment unless at least 70% of their total assets are primarily in qualifying investments, which are primarily securities of private or thinly-traded U.S. companies (excluding certain financial companies), cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Our Advisor has limited experience investing under these constraints. In addition, the General Partner has limited experience administering a BDC.

Our Advisor and its partners, officers, directors, members, managers, employees, affiliates and agents may be subject to certain potential or actual conflicts of interest in connection with the activities of, and investments by, us.

Our Advisor and its affiliates may spend substantial time on other business activities, including investment management and advisory activities for entities and accounts with the same or overlapping investment objectives, investing for their own account, financial advisory services (including services for entities in which we invest), and acting as directors, officers, creditor committee members or in similar capacities. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and other applicable laws, our Advisor and its affiliates and associates intend to engage in such activities and may receive compensation from third parties for their services. Subject to the same requirements, such compensation may be payable by entities in which we invest in connection with actual or contemplated investments, and our Advisor may receive fees and other compensation in connection with structuring investments which they will share.

Our Advisor’s management fee is based on a percentage of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents) and our Advisor may have conflicts of interest in connection with decisions that could affect our total assets, such as decisions as to whether to incur additional debt to increase management fees paid and to recoup our Advisor’s payment of half of the sales load in connection with our initial public offering in April 2012.

Our incentive compensation may induce our Advisor to make certain investments, including speculative investments.

The incentive compensation payable by us to our Advisor may create an incentive for our Advisor to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the incentive compensation is determined (calculated as a percentage of the return on invested capital) may encourage our Advisor to increase the use of leverage or take additional risk to increase the return on our investments. Increased use of leverage and increased risk of replacement of that leverage at maturity would increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor the

holders of our common stock, including investors in the offerings pursuant to this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement, or of securities convertible into our common stock or warrants representing rights to purchase our common stock or securities convertible into our common stock. A rise in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to certain of our debt investments and may accordingly result in a substantial increase in the amount of incentive compensation payable to our Advisor with respect to our cumulative investment income. Although the incentive compensation is subject to a total return limitation, our Advisor may have some ability to accelerate the realization of gains to obtain incentive compensation earlier than it otherwise would when it may be in our best interests to not yet realize gains. Our directors monitor our use of leverage and our Advisor’s management of our investment program in the best interests of our common stockholders.

We may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the securities and instruments of other investment companies, including private funds, and, to the extent we so invest, we will bear our ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including management and performance fees. We will also remain obligated to pay management and incentive compensation to our Advisor with respect to the assets invested in the securities and instruments of other investment companies. With respect to each of these investments, each of our common stockholders will bear his or her share of our management and incentive compensation as well as indirectly bear the management and performance fees and other expenses of any investment companies in which we invest.

We may be obligated to pay our Advisor incentive compensation payments in excess of the amounts we would have paid if such compensation was subject to clawback arrangements.

Our Advisor is entitled to incentive compensation for each fiscal quarter after January 1, 2013 in an amount equal to a percentage of our ordinary income (before deducting incentive compensation) since that date and, separately, a percentage of our realized capital gains (net of realized capital losses and unrealized depreciation) since that date, in each case subject to a cumulative total return requirement. If we pay incentive compensation and thereafter experience additional realized capital losses or unrealized capital depreciation such that we would no longer have been required to provide incentive compensation, we will not be able to recover any portion of the incentive compensation previously paid or distributed because our incentive compensation arrangements do not contain any clawback provisions. As a result, the incentive compensation could exceed 20% of our cumulative total return, depending on the timing of unrealized appreciation, net unrealized depreciation and net realized capital losses. For example, part of the incentive compensation payable or distributable by us that relates to our ordinary income is computed on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the incentive compensation will become uncollectible. Similarly, the income component is measured against a total return limitation that includes unrealized gains. Such gains may not be realized or may be realized at a lower amount. Consequently, we may have paid incentive compensation on income in circumstances where we otherwise would not have done so and with respect to which we do not have a clawback right against our Advisor.

The General Partner may have certain interests that conflict with the interests of the board of directors in the governance of the Operating Company.

The General Partner, an affiliate of our Advisor, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Operating Company subject to the general supervision of the board of directors including various significant matters such as the issuance of additional classes of securities of the Operating Company and the determination of the timing and amounts of distributions payable by the Operating Company. The decisions of the General Partner with respect to these and other matters may be subject to various conflicts of interest arising out of its relationship with us and its affiliates. The General Partner could be confronted with decisions where it will, directly or indirectly, have an economic incentive to place its interests or the interests of its affiliates above ours.

We are dependent upon senior management personnel of our Advisor for our future success, and if our Advisor is unable to retain qualified personnel or if our Advisor loses any member of its senior management team, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.

The success of the Company is highly dependent on the financial and managerial expertise of our Advisor. The loss of one or more of the voting members of the Investment Committee could have a material adverse effect on the performance of the Company. Although our Advisor and the voting members of the Investment

Committee devote a significant amount of their respective efforts to the Company, they actively manage investments for other clients and are not required to (and will not) devote all of their time to the Company’s affairs.

Our Advisor or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.

Our Advisor’s investment professionals, Investment Committee or their respective affiliates may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest. In the event that material non-public information is obtained with respect to such companies, or we became subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, we could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have an adverse effect on us and, consequently, your interests as a stockholder.

Our Advisor can resign on 60 days’ notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

Our Advisor has the right, under our investment management agreement, to resign at any time upon not more than 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our Advisor resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment advisor or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by our Advisor and its affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.

We may in the future determine to fund a portion of our investments by issuing preferred stock, which would magnify the potential gains or losses and the risks of investing in us in the same manner as our borrowings.

The issuance of shares of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences or other economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock could adversely affect the market price for our common stock by making an investment in the common stock less attractive. In addition, preferred stock, which is another form of leverage, has the same risks to our common stockholders as borrowings because the dividends on any preferred stock we issue must be cumulative. Payment of dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of preferred stock must take preference over any dividends or other payments to our common stockholders, and holders of preferred stock are not subject to any of our expenses or losses and are not entitled to participate in any income or appreciation in excess of their stated preference (other than convertible preferred stock that converts into common stock). Lastly, under the 1940 Act, preferred stock constitutes a “senior security” for purposes of the 200% asset coverage test.

We may experience fluctuations in our periodic operating results.

We could experience fluctuations in our periodic operating results due to a number of factors, including the interest rates payable on the debt securities we acquire, the default rate on such securities, the level of our expenses (including the interest rates payable on our borrowings), the dividend rates payable on preferred stock we issue, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

If we fail to maintain our status as a business development company, our business and operating flexibility could be significantly reduced.

We qualify as business development companies under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of business development companies. For example, BDCs are prohibited from making any nonqualifying investments unless at least 70% of their total assets are invested in qualifying

investments which are primarily securities of private or thinly-traded U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Failure to comply with the requirements imposed on business development companies by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us and/or expose us to claims of private litigants. In addition, any such failure could cause an event of default under the Leverage Program, which could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial conditions or results of operations. See “Regulation.” Such a failure could also have adverse tax consequences. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters — Failure to Qualify as a RIC.”

Because we intend to distribute substantially all of our income to our stockholders to maintain our status as a RIC, we will continue to need additional capital to finance growth. If additional funds are unavailable or not available on favorable terms, our ability to grow will be impaired.

In order for the Holding Company to qualify for the tax benefits available to RICs and to minimize payment of excise taxes, we intend to distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our annual taxable income, except that we may retain certain net capital gains for reinvestment in common interests of the Operating Company, and treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. If we elect to treat any amounts as deemed distributions, we must pay income taxes at the corporate rate on such deemed distributions on behalf of our stockholders and our stockholders will receive a tax credit for such amounts and an increase in basis. A stockholder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax or otherwise is not required to file a U.S. federal income tax return would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. As a result of these requirements, we will likely need to raise capital from other sources to grow our business. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. An inability to successfully access the capital markets could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our business strategy and could decrease our earnings, if any. As a BDC, we are not able to incur senior securities unless after giving effect thereto we meet a coverage ratio of total assets, less liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to total senior securities, which includes all of our borrowings, of at least 200% (or 150% under certain circumstances). This means that for every $100 of net assets, we may raise $100 from senior securities, such as borrowings or issuing preferred stock. These requirements limit the amount that we may borrow. On July 13, 2015, we obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to exclude the debt of TCPC SBIC LP guaranteed by the SBA from our 200% asset coverage test under the 1940 Act. The exemptive relief provides us with increased flexibility under the 200% asset coverage test by permitting TCPC SBIC to borrow up to $150.0 million more than it would otherwise be able to absent the receipt of this exemptive relief.

Because we will continue to need capital to grow our investment portfolio, these limitations may prevent us from incurring debt and require us to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. While we expect we will be able to borrow and to issue additional debt securities and expect that we will be able to issue additional equity securities, we cannot assure you that debt and equity financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. In addition, as a business development company, we generally will not be permitted to issue equity securities priced below net asset value without stockholder approval. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities and our net asset value or common stock price could decline.

The highly competitive market in which we operate may limit our investment opportunities.

A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we make. We compete with other BDCs, public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Additionally, because competition for investment opportunities generally has increased among alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, those entities now invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested, including making investments in middle-market private companies. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities intensified over the past several years and may intensify further in the future. Some of our existing and potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more

relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions and valuation requirements that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC and that the Code imposes on us as a RIC. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we face will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of this existing and potentially increasing competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we can offer no assurance that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

We do not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer, and we believe that some of our competitors make loans with interest rates that are comparable to or lower than the rates we offer.

We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss. As a result of operating in such a competitive environment, we may make investments that are on better terms to our portfolio companies than what we may have originally anticipated, which may impact our return on these investments.

Our board of directors may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.

Our board of directors has the authority to modify or waive our operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results or value of our stock. Nevertheless, the effects could adversely affect our business and impact our ability to make distributions and cause you to lose all or part of your investment.

Risks related to our investments

We have not yet identified the portfolio company investments we intend to acquire using the proceeds of the offerings.

We have not yet identified the potential investments for our portfolio that we will purchase following the future offerings pursuant to this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement. Our Advisor will select our investments subsequent to the closing of any such offering, and our stockholders will have no input with respect to such investment decisions. These factors increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in our Securities.

Our investments may be risky, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

We invest primarily in middle-market companies primarily through leveraged loans.

Risks Associated with middle-market companies.   Investing in private middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks, including:

Little public information exists about private middle-market companies, and we expect to rely on our Advisor’s investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. These companies and their financial information are not subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other rules that govern disclosures and financial controls of public companies. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investment.

Lower Credit Quality Obligations.   Most of our debt investments are likely to be in lower grade obligations. The lower grade investments in which we invest may be rated below investment grade by one or more nationally-recognized statistical rating agencies at the time of investment or may be unrated but determined by our Advisor to be of comparable quality. Debt securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” and are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The debt that we invest in typically is not rated prior to our investment by any rating agency, but we believe that if such investments were rated, they would be below investment grade (rated lower than “Baa3” by Moody’s Investors Service, lower than “BBB-” by Fitch Ratings or lower than “BBB-” by Standard & Poor’s). We may invest without limit in debt of any rating, as well as debt that has not been rated by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

Investment in lower grade investments involves a substantial risk of loss. Lower grade securities or comparable unrated securities are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and are susceptible to default or decline in market value due to adverse economic and business developments. The market values for lower grade debt tend to be very volatile and are less liquid than investment grade securities. For these reasons, your investment in our company is subject to the following specific risks:

Adverse changes in economic conditions are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of a lower grade issuer to make principal payments and interest payments than an investment grade issuer. The principal amount of lower grade securities outstanding has proliferated in the past decade as an increasing number of issuers have used lower grade securities for corporate financing. An economic downturn could severely affect the ability of highly leveraged issuers to service their debt obligations or to repay their obligations upon maturity. Similarly, downturns in profitability in specific industries could adversely affect the ability of lower grade issuers in that industry to meet their obligations. The market values of lower grade debt tend to reflect individual developments of the issuer to a greater extent than do higher quality investments, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Factors having an adverse impact on the market value of lower grade debt may have an adverse effect on our net asset value and the market value of our common stock. In addition, we may incur additional expenses to the extent we are required to seek recovery upon a default in payment of principal of or interest on our portfolio holdings. In certain circumstances, we may be required to foreclose on an issuer’s assets and take possession of its property or operations. In such circumstances, we would incur additional costs in disposing of such assets and potential liabilities from operating any business acquired.

The secondary market for lower grade debt is unlikely to be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated debt, a factor which may have an adverse effect on our ability to dispose of a particular instrument. There are fewer dealers in the market for lower grade securities than investment grade obligations. The prices quoted by different dealers may vary significantly and the spread between the bid and asked price is generally larger than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market

for lower grade debt could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these instruments may become highly illiquid. As a result, we could find it more difficult to sell these instruments or may be able to sell the securities only at prices lower than if such instruments were widely traded. Prices realized upon the sale of such lower rated or unrated securities, under these circumstances, may be less than the prices used in calculating our net asset value.

Since investors generally perceive that there are greater risks associated with lower grade debt of the type in which we may invest a portion of our assets, the yields and prices of such debt may tend to fluctuate more than those for higher rated instruments. In the lower quality segments of the fixed income markets, changes in perceptions of issuers’ creditworthiness tend to occur more frequently and in a more pronounced manner than do changes in higher quality segments of the income securities market, resulting in greater yield and price volatility.

Distressed Debt Securities Risk.   At times, distressed debt obligations may not produce income and may require us to bear certain extraordinary expenses (including legal, accounting, valuation and transaction expenses) in order to protect and recover our investment. Therefore, our ability to achieve current income for our stockholders may be diminished. We also will be subject to significant uncertainty as to when and in what manner and for what value the distressed debt we invest in will eventually be satisfied (e.g., through a liquidation of the obligor’s assets, an exchange offer or plan of reorganization involving the distressed debt securities or a payment of some amount in satisfaction of the obligation). In addition, even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to distressed debt we hold, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by us in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made. Moreover, any securities received by us upon completion of an exchange offer or plan of reorganization may be restricted as to resale. As a result of our participation in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of distressed debt, we may be restricted from disposing of such securities.

Payment-in-kind Interest Risk.   Our loans may contain a payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest provision. PIK investments carry additional risk as holders of these types of securities receive no cash until the cash payment date unless a portion of such securities is sold. If the issuer defaults the Company may obtain no return on its investment. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is added to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. To avoid the imposition of corporate-level tax on us, this non-cash source of income needs to be paid out to stockholders in cash distributions or, in the event that we determine to do so and in certain cases, in shares of our common stock, even though we have not yet collected and may never collect the cash relating to the PIK interest. As a result, we may have to distribute a taxable stock dividend to account for PIK interest even though we have not yet collected the cash.

Preferred Stock Risk.   To the extent we invest in preferred securities, there are special risks, including:

Deferral.   Preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If we own a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, we may be required to report income for tax purposes although we have not yet received such income.

Subordination.   Preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore will be subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt instruments.

Liquidity.   Preferred securities may be substantially less liquid than many other securities, such as common stocks or U.S. Government securities.

Limited Voting Rights.   Generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may elect a number of directors to the issuer’s board. Generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights.

Equity Security Risk.   We may have exposure to equity securities. Although equity securities have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed-income securities over the long term, equity securities also have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns. The equity securities that we acquire may fail to appreciate and may decline in value or become worthless.

Hedging Transactions.   We may employ hedging techniques to minimize currency exchange rate risks or interest rate risks, but we can offer no assurance that such strategies will be effective. If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to risks associated with such transactions. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. Additionally, engaging in certain hedging transactions could result in adverse tax consequences, e.g. giving rise to income that does not qualify for the 90% annual gross income requirement applicable to RICs.

Because our investments are generally not in publicly traded securities, there will be uncertainty regarding the value of our investments, which could adversely affect the determination of our net asset value.

Our portfolio investments will generally not be in publicly traded securities. As a result, although we expect that some of our equity investments may trade on private secondary marketplaces, the fair value of our direct investments in portfolio companies will often not be readily determinable. Under the 1940 Act, investments for which there are no readily available market quotations, including securities that while listed on a private securities exchange have not actively traded, will be valued at fair value as determined using a consistently applied valuation process in accordance with our documented valuation policy that has been reviewed and approved by our board of directors, who also approve in good faith the valuation of such securities. In connection with that approval, the board of directors utilizes the services of an independent valuation firm, which prepares valuation reports on a quarterly basis for most of our portfolio investments that are not publicly traded or for which we do not have readily available market quotations, including securities that while listed on a private securities exchange, have not actively traded. However, the board of directors retains ultimate authority as to the appropriate valuation of each such investment. The types of factors that the board of directors takes into account in approving fair value with respect to such non-traded investments includes, as relevant and, to the extent available, the portfolio company’s earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to valuations of publicly traded companies, comparisons to recent sales of comparable companies, the discounted value of the cash flows of the portfolio company and other relevant factors. This information may not be available because it is difficult to obtain financial and other information with respect to private companies, and even where we are able to obtain such information, there can be no assurance that it is complete or accurate. Because such valuations are inherently uncertain and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would be assessed if a readily available market for these securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, our fair value determinations with respect to any non-traded investments we hold may cause our net asset value on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize on one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing our securities based on an overstated net asset value may pay a higher price than the value of our investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling securities based on a net asset value that understates the value of our investments may receive a lower price for their securities than the value of our investments might warrant.

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease during these periods as we are required to record the values of our investments. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, even though we or one of our affiliates may have structured our

interest in such portfolio company as senior debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might re-characterize our debt holding as equity and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to claims of other creditors.

We may not be in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.

We do not generally intend to take controlling equity positions in our portfolio companies. To the extent that we do not hold a controlling equity interest in a portfolio company, we are subject to the risk that such portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the stockholders and management of such portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity for the debt and equity investments that we typically hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company, and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.

In addition, we may not be in a position to control any portfolio company by investing in its debt securities. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors.

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.

The portfolio companies we invest in usually have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.

Additionally, certain loans that we make to portfolio companies may be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of and be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the loans we make to our portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements, including agreements governing “first out” and “last out” structures, that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under such an intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be in good faith under the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens: the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; the approval of amendments to collateral documents; releases of liens

on the collateral; and waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.

When we are a debt or minority equity investor in a portfolio company, we are often not in a position to exert influence on the entity, and other equity holders and management of the company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.

When we make debt or minority equity investments, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree and the other equity holders and management of such company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our investment.

We may also make unsecured loans to portfolio companies, meaning that such loans will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on such portfolio companies’ collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured loan agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured loan obligations after payment in full of all secured loan obligations. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured loan obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claims against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.

There may be circumstances in which our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.

If one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, even though we may have structured our interest as senior debt, depending on the facts and circumstances, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt holding as an equity investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them where they become too involved in the borrower's business or exercise control over the borrower. For example, we could become subject to a lender's liability claim, if, among other things, we actually render significant managerial assistance.

Our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged.

Some of our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged, which may have adverse consequences to these companies and to us as an investor. These companies may be subject to restrictive financial and operating covenants and the leverage may impair these companies' ability to finance their future operations and capital needs. As a result, these companies' flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions and to take advantage of business opportunities may be limited. Further, a leveraged company's income and net assets will tend to increase or decrease at a greater rate than if borrowed money were not used.

Our portfolio companies may prepay loans, which prepayment may reduce stated yields in the future if capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.

Certain of the loans we make are prepayable at any time, some of them of them at no premium to par. We cannot predict when such loans may be prepaid. Whether a loan is prepaid will depend both on the continued positive performance of the portfolio company and the existence of favorable financing market conditions that permit such company to replace existing financing with less expensive capital. As market conditions change frequently, it is unknown when, and if, this may be possible for each portfolio company. In the case of some of these loans, having the loan prepaid early may reduce the achievable yield for the Company in the future below the current yield disclosed for our portfolio if the capital returned cannot be invested in transactions with equal or greater expected yields.

Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio.

Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments in order to: (1) increase or maintain in whole or in part our equity ownership percentage; (2) exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or (3) attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our initial investment.

We may elect not to make follow-on investments or otherwise lack sufficient funds to make those investments. Our failure to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make such follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our concentration of risk, because we prefer other opportunities, because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements or because we desire to maintain our tax status.

Our investments in foreign securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.

Our investment strategy contemplates that a portion of our investments may be in securities of foreign companies in order to provide diversification or to complement our U.S. investments, although we are required generally to invest at least 70% of our assets in companies organized and having their principal place of business within the U.S. and its possessions. Accordingly, we may invest on an opportunistic basis in certain non-U.S. companies, including those located in emerging markets, that otherwise meet our investment criteria. In regards to the regulatory requirements for business development companies, some of these investments may not qualify as investments in “eligible portfolio companies,” and thus may not be considered “qualifying assets.” “Eligible portfolio companies” generally include U.S. companies that are not investment companies and that do not have securities listed on a national exchange. If at any time less than 70% of our gross assets are comprised of qualifying assets, including as a result of an increase in the value of any non-qualifying assets or decrease in the value of any qualifying assets, we would generally not be permitted to acquire any additional non-qualifying assets until such time as 70% of our then current gross assets were comprised of qualifying assets. We would not be required, however, to dispose of any non-qualifying assets in such circumstances. In addition, investing in foreign companies, and particularly those in emerging markets, may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. These risks may be more pronounced for portfolio companies located or operating primarily in emerging markets, whose economies, markets and legal systems may be less developed. Further, we may have difficulty enforcing our rights as equity holders in foreign jurisdictions. In addition, to the extent we invest in non-U.S. companies, we may face greater exposure to foreign economic developments.

Although it is anticipated that most of our investments will be denominated in U.S. dollars, our investments that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency may change in relation to the U.S. dollar. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation and political developments. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we can offer no assurance that we will, in fact, hedge currency risk or, that if we do, such strategies will be effective. As a result, a change in currency exchange rates may adversely affect our profitability.

Our investments in the software sector are subject to various risks, including intellectual property infringement issues and rapid technological changes, which may adversely affect our performance. Software is our largest industry concentration. Each industry contains certain industry related credit risks.

General risks of companies in the software industry sector include intellectual property infringement liability issues, the inability to protect software and other proprietary technology, extensive competition and limited barriers to entry. Generally, the market for software products is characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, changes in customer requirements and frequent new product introduction and enhancements. If a portfolio company in the software sector cannot develop new products and enhance its current products in response to technological changes and competing products, its business and operating results will be negatively affected. In addition, there has been a substantial amount of litigation in the software industry relating to intellectual property rights. Regardless of whether claims that a company is infringing patents or other intellectual property have any merit, these claims are time-consuming and costly. Moreover, a software company

must monitor the unauthorized use of its intellectual property, which may be difficult and costly. A company's failure to protect its intellectual property could put it at a disadvantage to its competitors and harm its business, results of operations and financial condition. If a software company in which we invest is unable to navigate these risks, our performance may be adversely affected.

The effect of global climate change may impact the operations of our portfolio companies.

There may be evidence of global climate change. Climate change creates physical and financial risk and some of our portfolio companies may be adversely affected by climate change. For example, the needs of customers of energy companies vary with weather conditions, primarily temperature and humidity. To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, energy use could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of any changes. Increases in the cost of energy could adversely affect the cost of operations of our portfolio companies if the use of energy products or services is material to their business. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect some of our portfolio companies’ financial condition, through decreased revenues. Extreme weather conditions in general require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions.

Risks related to our operations as a BDC

While our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted under the 1940 Act, we have received an exemptive order from the SEC permitting certain affiliated investments subject to certain conditions. As a result, our Advisor may face conflicts of interests and investments made pursuant to the exemptive order conditions could in certain circumstances adversely affect the price paid or received by us or the availability or size of the position purchased or sold by us.

Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities or is managed by our Advisor will generally be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act and we are generally prohibited from participating in certain transactions such as co-investing with, or buying or selling any security from or to, such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. However, our Advisor and the funds managed by our Advisor have received an exemption from certain SEC regulations prohibiting transactions with affiliates. The exemptive order requires that certain procedures be followed prior to making an investment subject to the order and such procedures could in certain circumstances adversely affect the price paid or received by us or the availability or size of the position purchased or sold by us. Our Advisor may also face conflicts of interest in making investments pursuant to the exemptive order. See “Management of the Company — Exemptive Order” and “Risks related to our business — We have limited operating history as a BDC, and if our Advisor is unable to manage our investments effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective. In addition, our Advisor may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and certain other entities that could impact our investment returns.”

The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. We are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any person who owns more than 25% of our voting securities and from or to certain of that person's affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC (other than certain limited situations pursuant to current regulatory guidance). The analysis of whether a particular transaction constitutes a joint transaction requires a review of the relevant facts and circumstances relating to the particular transaction. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates.

Regulations governing our operation as a BDC may limit our ability to, and the way in which we raise additional capital, which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business may in the future require a substantial amount of capital in addition to the proceeds of these offerings. We may acquire additional capital from the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or from the additional issuance of senior securities (including debt and preferred stock). However, we may not be able to raise additional capital in the future on favorable terms or at all.

Our board of directors may decide to issue common stock to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. As a BDC, we are generally not able to issue our common stock at a price below net

asset value without first obtaining required approvals from our stockholders and our independent directors. If our common stock trades at a discount to net asset value, those restrictions could adversely affect our ability to raise equity capital. Except in connection with the exercise of warrants or the conversion of convertible securities, in any such case the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price, that in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities at the relevant time. We may also make rights offerings to our stockholders at prices per share less than the net asset value per share, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and such stockholders may experience dilution.

We may only issue senior securities up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act permits us to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such issuance or incurrence. On March 23, 2018, the President signed into law the SBCAA, which included various changes to regulations under the federal securities laws that impact BDCs, including changes to the 1940 Act to allow BDCs to decrease their asset coverage requirement to 150% from 200% under certain circumstances. The Company currently has not determined whether to take advantage of the additional leverage. If our assets decline in value and we fail to satisfy this test or any stricter test under the terms of our leverage instruments, we may be required to liquidate a portion of our investments and repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales or repayment may be disadvantageous, which could have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in the laws or regulations governing our business or the business of our portfolio companies, or changes in the interpretations thereof or newly enacted legislation and regulations, and any failure by us or our portfolio companies to comply with these laws or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies.

We are subject to changing rules and regulations of federal and state governments, as well as the stock exchange in which our common stock is listed. These entities, including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the SEC and The Nasdaq Global Select Market, have issued a significant number of new and increasingly complex requirements and regulations over the course of the last several years and continue to develop additional regulations.

Changes in the laws or regulations or the interpretations of the laws and regulations that govern BDCs, RICs or non-depository commercial lenders could significantly affect our operations and our cost of doing business. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations and are subject to judicial and administrative decisions that affect our operations, including our loan originations, maximum interest rates, fees and other charges, disclosures to portfolio companies, the terms of secured transactions, collection and foreclosure procedures and other trade practices. If these laws, regulations or decisions change, or if we expand our business into jurisdictions that have adopted more stringent requirements than those in which we currently conduct business, we may have to incur significant expenses in order to comply, or we might have to restrict our operations. In addition, if we do not comply with applicable laws, regulations and decisions, we may lose licenses needed for the conduct of our business and may be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties, any of which could have a material adverse effect upon our business, results of operations of financial condition.

If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could be precluded from investing in certain assets or could be required to dispose of certain assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

As a BDC, we are prohibited from acquiring any assets other than “qualifying assets” unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. As of December 31, 2017, approximately $183.8 million, or approximately 11.4%, of our adjusted total assets were not “qualifying assets.” If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we will be prohibited from investing in additional non-qualifying assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inopportune times in order to come into compliance with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of these investments quickly, it may be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. For example, we may have difficulty in finding a buyer and, even if a buyer is found, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss.

We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on all of our income if we are unable to qualify as a RIC under the Code, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial performance.

Although we are currently qualified as a RIC, no assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain RIC status. To maintain RIC status and be relieved of U.S. federal income taxes on income and gains distributed to its stockholders, we generally must meet the annual distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements described below. In addition, our Leverage Program prohibits us from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or the Leverage Program.

To qualify as a RIC under the Code, we generally must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. The annual distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if we distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, if any, to our stockholders. Since we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements and other financial covenants under the terms of the Leverage Program, and we are, in some circumstances, also subject to similar requirements under the 1940 Act. The requirements could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify as a RIC, we generally must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these tests may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because we anticipate that most of our investments will be in private companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses.

If we fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate-level income tax, the resulting corporate-level income taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. For additional discussion regarding the tax implications of a RIC, see “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters.”

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we may include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due in the future, often only at the end of the loan. Such original issue discount, which could be significant relative to our overall investment activities, or increases in loan balances as a result of PIK arrangements are generally included in our taxable income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we do not receive in cash. Similarly, newly enacted tax legislation contains rules that may in certain other circumstances require the recognition of non-cash taxable income or may limit the deductibility of certain of our cash expenses.

Since we may recognize taxable income before or without receiving cash representing such income or may be subject to limitations on the deductibility of our income, if we invest to a substantial extent in non-cash paying debt instruments we may have difficulty meeting the tax requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, if any, to maintain our status as a RIC. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements.

There is a risk that you may not receive distributions or that our distributions may not grow over time and a portion of our distributions may be a return of capital.

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this prospectus. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. Additionally, a portion of such distributions may include a return of stockholder capital. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits are considered nontaxable distributions and serve to reduce the basis of our shares in the hands of the common stockholders rather than

being currently taxable. As a result of the reduction of the basis of our shares, common stockholders may incur additional capital gains taxes or may have lower capital losses.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, stockholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our common stock.

Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm (when undertaken, as noted below), may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our consolidated financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors and lenders to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We may experience cyber-security incidents and are subject to cyber-security risks.

Our business operations rely upon secure information technology systems for data processing, storage and reporting. Despite careful security and controls design, implementation and updating, our information technology systems could become subject to cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking” or malicious software coding) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Network, system, application and data breaches could result in operational disruptions or information misappropriation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Cyber-security failures or breaches by our Advisor, any sub-adviser(s) and other service providers (including, but not limited to, accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators), and the issuers of securities in which we invest, have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with our ability to calculate our net asset value, impediments to trading, the inability of our stockholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While we have established a business continuity plan in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyberattacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, we cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by our service providers and issuers in which we invest. We and our stockholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

The failure in cyber-security systems, as well as the occurrence of events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems and management continuity planning could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.

The occurrence of a disaster such as a cyber-attack, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a terrorist attack or war, events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems, or a support failure from external providers, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems or destroy data. If a significant number of our managers were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct our business could be severely compromised.

We depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Despite our implementation of a variety of security measures, our computer systems could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, such as physical and electronic break-ins or unauthorized tampering. Like other companies, we may experience threats to our data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, unauthorized

access, system failures and disruptions. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in damage to our reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs, regulatory penalties and/or customer dissatisfaction or loss.

We are dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends.

Our business is dependent on our and third parties’ communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of those systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:

These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Risks relating to the offerings pursuant to this prospectus

We may use proceeds of future offerings in a way with which you may not agree.

We will have significant flexibility in applying the proceeds of the offerings and may use the net proceeds from the offerings in ways with which you may not agree, or for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of such offerings. We will also pay operating expenses, and may pay other expenses such as due diligence expenses of potential new investments, from the net proceeds of future offerings. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that net proceeds of such offerings, pending full investment, are used to pay expenses rather than to make investments.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully deploy the proceeds of offerings within the timeframe we have contemplated.

We currently anticipate that a portion of the net proceeds of future offerings will be invested in accordance with our investment objective within six to twelve months following completion of any such offering. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to locate a sufficient number of suitable investment opportunities to allow us to successfully deploy in that timeframe that portion of net proceeds of such future offerings. To the extent we are unable to invest within our contemplated timeframe after the completion of an offering, our investment income, and in turn our results of operations, will likely be adversely affected.

Our most recent NAV was calculated as of March 31, 2018 and our NAV when calculated as of any date thereafter may be higher or lower.

Our most recent NAV per share is $14.90 determined by us as of March 31, 2018. NAV per share as of June 30, 2018, may be higher or lower than $14.80 based on potential changes in valuations, issuances of securities and earnings for the quarter then ended. Our board of directors has not yet approved the fair value of portfolio investments as of any date subsequent to March 31, 2018. The fair value of our portfolio investments is determined using a consistently applied valuation process in accordance with our documented valuation policy that has been reviewed and approved by our board of directors, who also approve in good faith the valuation of such securities on a quarterly basis in connection with the preparation of quarterly financial statements and based on input from independent valuation firms, our Advisor, the Administrator and the audit committee of our board of directors.

Risks related to our common stock

Shares of our common stock may trade at a discount to our net asset value per share.

Common stock of BDCs, like that of closed-end investment companies, frequently trades at a discount to current net asset value, which could adversely affect the ability to raise capital. In the past, shares of our common stock have traded at a discount to our net asset value. The risk that shares of our common stock may trade at a discount to our net asset value is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline.

If we sell shares of our common stock at a discount to our net asset value per share, stockholders who do not participate in such sale will experience immediate dilution in an amount that may be material.

The issuance or sale by us of shares of our common stock at a discount to net asset value poses a risk of dilution to our stockholders. In particular, stockholders who do not purchase additional shares of common stock at or below the discounted price in proportion to their current ownership will experience an immediate decrease in net asset value per share (as well as in the aggregate net asset value of their shares of common stock if they do not participate at all). These stockholders will also experience a disproportionately greater decrease in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than the increase we experience in our assets, potential earning power and voting interests from such issuance or sale. In addition, such sales may adversely affect the price at which our common stock trades. For additional information and hypothetical examples of these risks, see “Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value” and the prospectus supplement pursuant to which such sale is made.

Your interest in us may be diluted if you do not fully acquire your proportionate share of any warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for, convert to, or purchase our common stock that we sell. In addition, in such circumstances, if the price at which we sell such warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for, convert to, or purchase our common stock, together with the exercise price, is less than our net asset value per share, then you will experience dilution of the net asset value of your shares.

We received authority from our stockholders at our 2013 annual meeting to issue warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for, convert to, or purchase shares of our common stock, which may include convertible preferred stock and convertible debentures. In the event we issue warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for, convert into, or purchase our common stock, stockholders who do not exercise such rights will own a smaller proportional interest in us than would otherwise be the case, thereby diluting the proportionate ownership interest and voting power of such stockholder. We cannot state precisely the amount of any such dilution in share ownership or voting power because we have no current intention of making any such offering and do not know at this time the terms or amount of such rights. The amount of dilution that a stockholder will experience could be substantial and the market price and net asset value per share of our common stock could be adversely affected. Our common stockholders will also indirectly bear the expenses associated with any rights offering we may conduct, regardless of whether they elect to exercise any rights.

In addition, if the price at which we sell such warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for, convert to, or purchase our common stock, together with the exercise price, is less than the net asset value per share of our common stock, then our stockholders who do not acquire their proportionate share of such rights will experience dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their shares as a result of the offering. The amount of any such decrease in net asset value is not predictable because it is not known at this time what the price of the warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for, convert into, or purchase our common stock and net asset value per share will be.

Our common stock price may be volatile and may fluctuate substantially.

As with any stock, the price of our common stock will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors. If you sell shares, the price received may be more or less than the original investment. Net asset value will be reduced immediately following our offering by the amount of the sales load and selling expenses paid by us. At our 2017 annual meeting of stockholders held on May 25, 2017, our stockholders approved our ability, subject to the condition that the maximum number of shares salable below net asset value pursuant to this authority in any particular offering that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such offering, to sell shares of our common stock at any level of discount from net

asset value per share during the 12 month period following the date of the meeting. It should be noted that, theoretically, we may offer up to 25% of our then outstanding common stock each day. We are seeking stockholder approval at our 2018 annual meeting to continue for an additional year our ability to issue shares of common stock below net asset value, subject to the condition that the maximum number of shares salable below net asset value pursuant to this authority in any particular offering that could result in such dilution is limited to 25% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such offering. Our common stock is intended for long-term investors and should not be treated as a trading vehicle. Shares of BDCs and closed-end management investment companies, which are structured similarly to us, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share of common stock may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below net asset value. This risk of loss associated with this characteristic of BDCs and closed-end management investment companies may be greater for investors who sell their shares in a relatively short period of time after completion of an offering.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

The market price and liquidity of the market for our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of an investment in our debt securities.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by third parties of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of our debt securities. Our credit ratings, however, may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to market conditions generally or other factors discussed above on the market value of or trading market for the publicly issued debt securities. Our debt securities may be rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

Senior securities, including debt, expose us to additional risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We currently use our SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility to leverage our portfolio and we expect in the future to borrow from and issue senior debt securities to banks and other lenders.

With certain limited exceptions, as a BDC, we are only allowed to borrow amounts or otherwise issue senior securities such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least 200% after such borrowing or other issuance. We may, if approved by our stockholders (effective the day after such approval) or if approved by a required majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of our Board of Directors (effective one year after such approval), decrease our asset coverage to 150%. We currently have not determined whether to take advantage of the additional leverage. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Advisor’s and our Board of Directors’ assessment of market conditions and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. There is no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful. Leverage involves risks and special considerations for stockholders, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, including the following:

For example, the amount we may borrow under our SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility is determined, in part, by the fair value of our investments. If the fair value of our investments declines, we may be forced to sell investments at a loss to maintain compliance with our borrowing limits. Other debt facilities we may enter into in the future may contain similar provisions. Any such forced sales would reduce our net asset value and also make it difficult for the net asset value to recover. Our Advisor and our Board of Directors in their best judgment nevertheless may determine to use leverage if they expect that the benefits to our stockholders of maintaining the leveraged position will outweigh the risks.

In addition, our ability to meet our payment and other obligations of the Leverage Program depends on our ability to generate significant cash flow in the future. This, to some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative and regulatory factors as well as other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our existing credit facilities or otherwise, in an amount sufficient to enable us to meet our payment obligations any debt we may issue and to fund other liquidity needs. If we are not able to generate sufficient cash flow to service our debt obligations, we may need to refinance or restructure our debt, including sell assets, reduce or delay capital investments, or seek to raise additional capital. If we are unable to implement one or more of these alternatives, we may not be able to meet our payment obligations under any debt we may issue.

We may in the future determine to fund a portion of our investments with preferred stock, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss and the risks of investing in us in the same way as our borrowings.

Preferred stock, which is another form of leverage, has the same risks to our common stockholders as borrowings because the dividends on any preferred stock we issue must be cumulative. Payment of such dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of such preferred stock must take preference over any dividends or other payments to our common stockholders, and preferred stockholders are not subject to any of our expenses or losses and are not entitled to participate in any income or appreciation in excess of their stated preference.

Holders of any preferred stock we might issue would have the right to elect members of the board of directors and class voting rights on certain matters.

Holders of any preferred stock we might issue, voting separately as a single class, would have the right to elect two members of the board of directors at all times and in the event dividends become two full years in arrears would have the right to elect a majority of the directors until such arrearage is completely eliminated. In addition, preferred stockholders would have class voting rights on certain matters, including changes in fundamental investment restrictions and conversion to open-end status, and accordingly could veto any such changes. Restrictions imposed on the declarations and payment of dividends or other distributions to the holders of our common stock and any preferred stock we might issue, both by the 1940 Act and by requirements imposed by rating agencies or the terms of our credit facilities, might impair our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. While we would intend to redeem any such preferred stock to the extent necessary to enable us to distribute our income as required to maintain our qualification as a RIC, there can be no assurance that such actions could be effected in time to meet the tax requirements.

The trading market or market value of any publicly issued debt securities that we may issue may fluctuate.

If we issued public debt securities, such debt securities may or may not have an established trading market. We cannot assure any future noteholders that a trading market for any publicly issued debt securities we may issue will ever develop or be maintained if developed. In addition to our creditworthiness, many factors may materially adversely affect the trading market for, and market value of, our publicly issued debt securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

Our potential noteholders should also be aware that there may be a limited number of buyers when they decide to sell their debt securities. This too may materially adversely affect the market value of the debt securities or the trading market for the debt securities.

Terms relating to redemption may materially adversely affect our noteholders return on any debt securities that we may issue.

If our noteholders’ debt securities are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem their debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on their debt securities. In addition, if our noteholders’ debt securities are subject to mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem their debt securities also at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on their debt securities. In this circumstance, our noteholders may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as their debt securities being redeemed.

There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time and investors in our debt securities may not receive all of the interest income to which they are entitled.

We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. If we declare a dividend and if more stockholders opt to receive cash distributions rather than participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, we may be forced to sell some of our investments in order to make cash dividend payments.

In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. Further, if we invest a greater amount of assets in equity securities that do not pay current dividends, it could reduce the amount available for distribution.

The above-referenced restrictions on distributions may also inhibit our ability to make required interest payments to holders of our debt, which may cause a default under the terms of our debt agreements. Such a default could materially increase our cost of raising capital, as well as cause us to incur penalties under the terms of our debt agreements.

Investing in our Securities may involve a high degree of risk and is highly speculative.

The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be speculative and aggressive, and therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for someone with low risk tolerance.

Common stockholders may experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.

Our dividends are generally declared in cash and stockholders must “opt in” to our dividend reinvestment plan if they want such shares to be automatically reinvested in shares of our common stock. As a result, our stockholders that do not opt in to our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution to their ownership percentage of our common stock over time.

Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and certain aspects of our structure could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.

The Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us. These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change in control in circumstances that could give the holders of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price of our common stock.

For example, to convert us to a closed-end or open-end investment company, to merge or consolidate us with any entity or sell all or substantially all of our assets to any entity in a transaction as a result of which the governing documents of the surviving entity do not contain substantially the same anti-takeover provisions as are provided in our certificate of incorporation or to liquidate and dissolve us other than in connection with a qualifying merger, consolidation or sale of assets or to amend certain of the provisions relating to these matters, our certificate of incorporation requires either (i) the favorable vote of a majority of our continuing directors followed by the favorable vote of the holders of a majority of our then outstanding shares of each affected class or series of our shares, voting separately as a class or series or (ii) the favorable vote of at least 80% of the then outstanding shares of our capital stock, voting together as a single class.

In addition, the board of directors of the Operating Company is appointed by different procedures than the board of the Holding Company, which could lead to the boards of directors of the Operating Company and the Holding Company having different compositions. Such a difference in composition may further hinder or delay an acquisition proposal.

Our stockholders may receive shares of our common stock as dividends, which could result in adverse tax consequences to stockholders.

To satisfy the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs, we have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our common stock instead of in cash. As long as 20% of such dividend is paid

in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder would be taxed on 100% of the dividend in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such common stock for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.

Future transactions and these offerings may limit our ability to use our capital loss carryforwards.

We have capital loss carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to certain limitations, capital loss carryforwards may be used to offset future recognized capital gains. Section 382 of the Code imposes an annual limitation on the ability of a corporation, including a RIC, that undergoes an “ownership change” to use its capital loss carryforwards. Generally, an ownership change occurs if certain five percent shareholders and public groups increase their ownership in us by 50 percent or more during a three-year period. We do not expect that the offerings will result in an ownership change for Section 382 purposes. However, the offerings will make it more likely that future transactions involving our common stock, including transfers by existing shareholders, could result in such an ownership change. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that an ownership change limiting our ability to use our capital loss carryforwards (and built-in, unrecognized losses, if any) will not occur in the future. Such a limitation would, for any given year, have the effect of potentially increasing the amount of our U.S. federal net capital gains for such year and, hence, the amount of capital gains dividends we would need to distribute to remain a RIC and to avoid U.S. income and excise tax liability.

Your interest in us may be diluted if you do not fully exercise your subscription rights in any rights offering we may conduct. In addition, if the subscription price is less than our net asset value per share, then you will experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of your shares.

In the event we issue subscription rights, stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights should expect that they will, at the completion of a rights offering pursuant to this prospectus, own a smaller proportional interest in us than would otherwise be the case if they fully exercised their rights. We cannot state precisely the amount of any such dilution in share ownership because we do not know at this time what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of such rights offering.

In addition, if the subscription price is less than the net asset value per share of our common stock, then our stockholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their shares as a result of the offering. The amount of any decrease in net asset value is not predictable because it is not known at this time what the subscription price and net asset value per share will be on the expiration date of a rights offering or what proportion of the shares will be purchased as a result of such rights offering. Such dilution could be substantial.

A trading market or market value of our debt securities may fluctuate.

In the event we issue debt securities, they may or may not have an established trading market. We cannot assure you that a trading market for debt securities will ever develop or be maintained if developed. In addition to our creditworthiness, many factors may materially adversely affect the trading market for, and market value of, debt securities we may issue. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

You should also be aware that there may be a limited number of buyers if and when you decide to sell your debt securities. This too may materially adversely affect the market value of the debt securities or the trading market for the debt securities.

Terms relating to redemption may materially adversely affect your return on any debt securities that we may issue.

If your debt securities are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem your debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In addition, if your debt securities are subject to mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem your debt securities also at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as your debt securities being redeemed.

Our credit ratings may not reflect all risks of an investment in our debt securities.

Our credit ratings are an assessment by third parties of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of our debt securities. Our credit ratings, however, may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to market conditions generally or other factors discussed above on the market value of or trading market for the publicly issued debt securities.

We may initially invest a portion of the net proceeds of offerings pursuant to this prospectus primarily in high-quality short-term investments, which will generate lower rates of return than those expected from the interest generated on first and second lien senior secured loans and mezzanine debt.

We may initially invest a portion of the net proceeds of offerings pursuant to this prospectus primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality short-term investments. These securities generally earn yields substantially lower than the income that we anticipate receiving once we are fully invested in accordance with our investment objective. As a result, we may not, for a time, be able to achieve our investment objective and/or we may need to, for a time, decrease the amount of any dividend that we may pay to our stockholders to a level that is substantially lower than the level that we expect to pay when the net proceeds of offerings are fully invested in accordance with our investment objective. If we do not realize yields in excess of our expenses, we may incur operating losses and the market price of our shares may decline.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

In addition to factors previously identified elsewhere in this prospectus, including the “Risks” section of this prospectus, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance:

This prospectus contains, and other statements that we may make may contain, forward-looking statements with respect to future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “potential,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we assume no duty to and do not undertake to update forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements do not meet the safe harbor for forward-looking statements pursuant to Section 27A of the Securities Act or Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from any offering to repay amounts outstanding under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility, if any, (which will increase the funds under the SVCP 2022 Facility and TCPC Funding Facility available to us to make additional investments in portfolio companies) and to make investments in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objective and for other general corporate purposes, including payment of operating expenses. We anticipate that substantially all of such remainder of the net proceeds of an offering will be invested in accordance with our investment objective within six to twelve months following completion of such offering, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions. We cannot assure you that we will achieve our targeted investment pace.

As of May 21, 2018, we had $72.0 million outstanding under the SVCP 2022 Facility, with advances generally bearing interest at LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum, subject to certain limitations. The SVCP 2022 Facility matures February 28, 2022, subject to extension by the lenders at our request.

As of May 21, 2018, we had $185.0 million outstanding under the TCPC Funding Facility, with advances generally bearing interest at LIBOR plus either 2.25% or 2.50% per annum, subject to certain limitations. The TCPC Funding Facility matures on April 26, 2021, subject to extension by the lender at our request.

Pending investments in portfolio companies by the Company, the Company will invest the remaining net proceeds of an offering primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. These securities may have lower yields than our other investments and accordingly may result in lower distributions, if any, during such period. See “Regulation — Temporary Investments” and “Management of the Company — Investment Management Agreements.”

SENIOR SECURITIES

Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of the end of each fiscal year ended since the Company commenced operations. The senior securities table below has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and by Ernst & Young LLP, our former independent registered public accounting firm, for each prior fiscal year.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Our common stock began trading on April 5, 2012 and is currently traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “TCPC.” The following table lists the high and low closing sale price for our common stock, the closing sale price as a premium (discount) to net asset value, or NAV, and quarterly distributions per share for the last two completed fiscal years and each quarter since the beginning of the current fiscal year.

On May 21, 2018, the closing price of our common stock was $14.65 per share. As of May 21, 2018, we had 28 stockholders of record.

The table below sets forth each class of our outstanding securities as of May 21, 2018.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the ratios of earnings to fixed charges of the Company, computed as set forth below, were as follows:

For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings represent net increase in net assets resulting from operations plus (or minus) income tax expense including excise tax expense plus fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest and SVCP Facility and TCPC Funding Facility fees expense and amortization of debt issuance costs.

THE COMPANY

The Company

We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. See “Prospectus Summary — Company History and BDC Conversion” above. Our investment objective is to achieve high total returns through current income and capital appreciation, with an emphasis on principal protection. We seek to achieve our investment objective primarily through investments in debt securities of middle-market companies, which we typically define as those with enterprise values between $100 million and $1.5 billion. While we primarily focus on privately negotiated investments in debt of middle-market companies, we make investments of all kinds and at all levels of the capital structure, including in equity interests such as preferred or common stock and warrants or options received in connection with our debt investments. Our investment activities will benefit from what we believe are the competitive advantages of our Advisor, including its diverse in-house skills, proprietary deal flow, and consistent and rigorous investment process focused on established, middle-market companies. We expect to generate returns through a combination of the receipt of contractual interest payments on debt investments and origination and similar fees, and, to a lesser extent, equity appreciation through options, warrants, conversion rights or direct equity investments. There are no material operating differences between us and our predecessor, however, as a BDC we are deemphasizing distressed debt investments, which may adversely affect our investment returns.

We have no employees of our own and currently our only business and sole asset is the ownership of all of the common limited partner interests of the Operating Company. Our investment activities are externally managed by our Advisor, a leading investment manager with approximately $9 billion in committed capital under management, approximately 23% of which consists of the Company’s committed capital under management as of December 31, 2017, and a primary focus on providing financing to middle-market companies as well as small businesses. Additionally, the Holding Company expects that it will continue to seek to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

On April 22, 2014, TCPC SBIC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Operating Company, received an SBIC license from the SBA. Pursuant to an exemptive order under the 1940 Act, we have been granted exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to exclude the debt of TCPC SBIC guaranteed by the SBA from our 200% asset coverage test under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the 200% asset coverage ratio limitation, we are permitted to borrow one dollar for every dollar we have in assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by debt securities issued by us or loans obtained by us. For example, as of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $1,595.9 million in assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by debt securities issued by us or loans obtained by us. Assuming none of the assets were financed using leverage, we would be permitted to borrow up to approximately $1,595.9 million, notwithstanding other limitations on our borrowings pursuant to our Leverage Program.

The exemptive relief provides us with increased flexibility under the 200% asset coverage test by permitting us to borrow up to $150 million more than we would otherwise be able to absent the receipt of this exemptive relief. As a result, we, in effect, will be permitted to have a lower asset coverage ratio than the 200% asset coverage ratio limitation under the 1940 Act and, therefore, we can have more debt outstanding than assets to cover such debt. For example, we will be able to borrow up to $150 million more than the approximately $1,595.9 million permitted under the 200% asset coverage ratio limit as of December 31, 2017. For additional information on SBA regulations that affect our access to SBA-guaranteed debentures, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — TCPC SBIC is subject to SBA regulations, and any failure to comply with SBA regulations could have an adverse effect on our operations.”

The SBIC license allows TCPC SBIC to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to the issuance of a capital commitment by the SBA and other customary procedures. SBA-guaranteed debentures are non-recourse, interest only debentures with interest payable semi-annually and have a ten year maturity. The principal amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures is not required to be paid prior to maturity but may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The interest rate of SBA-guaranteed debentures is fixed on a semi-annual basis at a market-driven spread over U.S. Treasury Notes with 10-year maturities. The SBA, as a creditor, will have a superior claim to TCPC SBIC’s assets over our stockholders in the event we liquidate TCPC SBIC or the SBA exercises its remedies under the SBA-guaranteed debentures issued by TCPC SBIC upon an event of default.

Investment Portfolio

At December 31, 2017, our investment portfolio of $1,514.5 million (at fair value) consisted of 96 portfolio companies and was invested 95.5% in debt investments, primarily in senior secured debt. Of our debt investments, 89.2% have floating interest rates and 10.8% have fixed interest rates. In aggregate, our investment portfolio was invested 86.3% in senior secured loans, 6.5% in senior secured notes, 2.7% in junior notes and 4.5% in equity investments. Our average portfolio company investment at fair value was approximately $15.8 million. Our largest portfolio company investment by value was approximately 2.9% of our portfolio and our five largest portfolio company investments by value comprised approximately 13.3% of our portfolio at December 31, 2017.

The following charts summarize our portfolio mix by industry and type based on the fair value of our investments as of December 31, 2017.

Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC

Our investment activities are managed by our Advisor. Our Advisor is a leading investment manager (including specialty lending to middle-market companies). Our Advisor is a Delaware limited liability company and is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. As of December 31, 2017, our Advisor had approximately $9 billion in committed capital under management, approximately 23% of which consists of the Company’s committed capital, and a team of approximately 80 people including investment professionals and other personnel that focus on operations, finance, legal, and compliance, accounting and reporting, investor relations, information technology, and administration. Our Advisor was founded in 1999 by Michael E. Tennenbaum, Mark K. Holdsworth and Howard M. Levkowitz, and its predecessor entity, formed by the same individuals, commenced operations in 1996. Mark K. Holdsworth and Howard M. Levkowitz along with Michael E. Leitner, Philip M. Tseng, Rajneesh Vig, and Lee Landrum constitute our Advisor’s active partners (the “Advisor Partners”). The Advisor Partners have significant industry experience, including experience investing in middle-market companies. Together, the Advisor Partners have invested approximately $21.9 billion in 567 companies since our Advisor’s inception, through multiple business and credit cycles, across all segments of the capital structure and through a broad set of credit-oriented strategies including leveraged loan origination, secondary investments of discounted debt securities, and distressed and control opportunities. We believe the Advisor Partners’ investment perspectives, complementary skills, and collective investment experience provide our Advisor with a strategic and competitive advantage in middle-market investing.

As our investment advisor, our Advisor is responsible for sourcing potential investments, conducting research, analyzing investment opportunities and structuring our investments and monitoring our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. We believe that our Advisor has a proven long-term track record of positive performance, notwithstanding some periods during which losses were incurred, of sourcing deals, originating loans and successfully investing in middle-market companies, and that the relationships of its investment professionals are integral to our Advisor’s success. Our Advisor’s investment professionals have long-term working relationships with key sources of investment opportunities and industry expertise, including investment

bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, private equity sponsors, other senior lenders, high-yield bond specialists, research analysts, accountants, and senior management teams. Additionally, our Advisor’s structure includes both a board of advisors and a group of senior executive advisors, a team comprised of approximately 20 current and former executives from a variety of industries, which extends the reach of our Advisor’s relationships through a group of seasoned industry leaders and that can enhance our deal sourcing and due diligence activities.

We also benefit from the existing infrastructure and administrative capabilities of an established investment manager. The General Partner, an affiliate of our Advisor, serves as our Administrator and provides us with office space, equipment and office services. The tasks of our Administrator include overseeing our financial records, preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC and generally monitoring the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others.

Since the beginning of 2011, our Advisor has executed over $8.8 billion in direct origination leveraged loans primarily to middle-market companies, of which over $3.1 billion was for our account. There can be no assurance that similar deal flow or terms will be available in the future for loans in which we may invest.

Investment Strategy

To achieve our investment objectives, we intend to focus on a subset of the broader investment strategies historically pursued by our Advisor. Our primary investment focus is the ongoing origination of and investments in leveraged loans of performing middle-market companies, building on our Advisor’s established track record of origination and participation in the original syndication of approximately $13.0 billion of leveraged loans to 351 companies since 1999, of which we invested over $3.7 billion in 208 companies. For the purposes of this prospectus, the term “leveraged loans” refers to senior debt investments that rank ahead of subordinated debt and that generally have the benefit of security interests in the assets of the borrower. Such security interests may provide either a priority claim to the specific collateral securing the investment or a junior claim to such collateral after the holders of the senior claim have been repaid but prior to any payments to holders of unsecured debt.

We anticipate our investments will generally range from $10 million to $50 million per company, the size of which may grow over time in proportion with our capital base. We expect to generate current returns through a combination of the receipt of contractual interest payments on debt investments and origination and similar fees, and, to a lesser extent, equity appreciation through options, warrants, conversion rights or direct equity investments. We often receive equity interests such as preferred or common stock and warrants or options in connection with our debt investments. From time to time we may also use other investment strategies, which are not our primary focus, to attempt to enhance the overall return of our portfolio. These investment strategies may include, but are not limited to, the purchase of discounted debt, opportunistic investments, and financial instruments to hedge currency or interest rate risk associated with our portfolio.

Our typical investments are in performing middle-market companies. We believe that middle-market companies are generally less able to secure financing than larger companies and thus offer better return opportunities for those able to conduct the necessary diligence to appropriately evaluate these companies. We focus primarily on U.S. companies where we believe our Advisor’s perspective, complementary skills and investment experience provides us with a competitive advantage and in industries where our Advisor sees an attractive risk reward profile due to macroeconomic trends and our Advisor’s existing industry expertise.

Our Competitive Advantages

We believe that we possess the following competitive advantages over other capital providers to middle-market companies:

Focus on minimizing the risk of loss and achieving attractive risk-adjusted returns. We primarily structure investments to attempt to achieve high cash yields, cash origination fees, conservative leverage, and strong contractual protections that reduce the risk of principal loss. Contractual protections may include default premiums, information rights, board governance rights, and affirmative, negative and financial covenants, such as lien protection and prohibitions against change of control. While we do not expect to undertake a material focus on distressed investments, we believe that our Advisor’s experience in distressed investing from managing other funds helps us negotiate more favorable terms and provides greater opportunity to achieve principal protection. See “— Investment Strategy.”

Diverse in-house skills and experience of our Advisor. Our Advisor’s principals and professionals have diverse and complementary backgrounds, including prior experience at private investment funds, investment banks, other financial services firms, and managing companies. We believe that the diverse professional experience of our Advisor’s principals and professionals gives us an advantage in sourcing, evaluating, structuring, negotiating, closing, and profitably exiting investments. Our Advisor’s advantages include:

Consistent, proactive and rigorous investment and monitoring processes. We believe that our Advisor employs a proven investment process that integrates intensive “bottom-up” company-level research and analysis with a proactive “top-down” view of macroeconomic and industry risks and opportunities. The heart of the process is a thorough analysis of the underlying issuer’s business, end markets, competitors, suppliers, revenues, costs, financial statements, and the terms of the issuer’s existing obligations, including contingent liabilities (if any). Our Advisor’s professionals supplement in-house expertise with industry experts, including our Advisor’s Board of Advisors and Senior Executive Advisors, as well as other CEO/CFO-level executives, with direct management experience in the industries under consideration. These company level analyses are undertaken in the context of and supplemented by our Advisor’s views on and understanding of industry trends and broader economic conditions. These views are formulated and refined through our Advisor’s systematic quarterly macroeconomic reviews and quarterly industry reviews, where long-term and immediate macroeconomic trends and their impact on industry risk/reward characteristics are determined. These views flow through to our Advisor’s proactive deployment of research and capital resources in the investment process. Quarterly portfolio reviews also help to inform our Advisor’s macroeconomic and industry views as well as to inform reporting of deal teams’ frequent monitoring of portfolio company progress, risk assessment, and refinement of exit plans.

Focus on established middle-market companies. We generally invest in companies with established market positions, seasoned management teams, proven and differentiated products and services and strong regional or national operations. We believe that these companies possess better risk-adjusted return profiles than newer companies that are building management or in early stages of building a revenue base. As a specialty middle-market lender, through our Advisor we have proven experience structuring financing for middle-market companies and meeting their specialized needs. We believe that there are fewer experienced finance companies focused on transactions involving small and middle-market companies than larger companies, allowing us to negotiate favorable investment terms, including higher yields, more significant covenant protection, and greater equity grants than typical of transactions involving larger companies. Additionally, we believe that middle-market companies offer significant risk-adjusted return advantages over larger companies as they are generally less able to secure financing compared to larger companies and, we believe, are more likely as borrowers to be subject to upfront fees, prepayment premiums and higher interest rates.

Debt platform with multiple deal sourcing channels. The employees of our Advisor have developed extensive networks among investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, private equity sponsors, other senior lenders, high-yield bond specialists, research analysts, accountants, and senior management teams. These networks are a valuable source of directly originated deals and are further supplemented by the networks and experiences of our Advisor’s Board of Advisors and Senior Executive Advisors. Additionally, our Advisor’s track record as a provider of middle-market financing means that it is often the first or an early call on new deal opportunities. Since inception, our Advisor has originated or participated in the original syndication of approximately $13.0 billion of newly issued loans to 351 companies since 1999, of which we invested over

$3.7 billion in 208 companies. Our Advisor is well known as a lender to middle-market companies in a variety of contexts including stressed, distressed, and complex and special situations. Our Advisor’s in-depth industry knowledge and ability to diligence complex situations thoroughly and in a timely fashion helps to attract deal opportunities from multiple channels.

Attractively priced leverage program. We believe that the Leverage Program, combined with capital from recent monetizations, provides us with a substantial amount of capital for deployment into new investment opportunities on relatively favorable terms.

Our leverage program is comprised of:

Prior to such facility being replaced by the SVCP 2022 Facility on February 26, 2018, the Leverage Program included $116.0 million in available debt under the SVCP Revolver and, prior to its full repayment on August 9, 2017, the Leverage Program included $100.5 million in debt available under the Term Loan. Additionally, prior to the repurchase and retirement of the Preferred Interests on September 3, 2015, the Leverage Program also included amounts outstanding under a preferred equity facility issued by the Operating Company.

The SVCP 2022 Facility matures on February 28, 2022, subject to extension by the lenders at the request of the Operating Company, and contains an accordion feature pursuant to which the credit line may increase up to an aggregate of $300.0 million, subject to consent from the applicable lenders and other customary conditions. Borrowings under the SVCP 2022 Facility generally bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.25%.

The TCPC Funding Facility matures on April 26, 2021, subject to extension by the lender at the request of TCPC Funding, and contains an accordion feature which allows for expansion of the facility up to $400.0 million subject to consent from the lender and other customary conditions. Borrowings under the TCPC Funding Facility bear interest at a rate of LIBOR plus either 2.25% or 2.50% per annum subject to certain funding requirements, plus an administrative fee of 0.25% per annum. In addition to amounts due on outstanding debt, the facility accrues commitment fees of 0.50% per annum on the unused portion of the facility, or 0.75% per annum when the unused portion is greater than 33.0% of the total facility, plus an administrative fee of 0.25% per annum. On June 11, 2014, the Company issued $108.0 million of convertible senior unsecured notes that mature on December 15, 2019, unless previously converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms.

The 2019 Convertible Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, and rank structurally junior to the SVCP 2022 Facility, TCPC Funding Facility and the SBA Program. The Company does not have the right to redeem the 2019 Convertible Notes prior to maturity. The 2019 Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 5.25%, payable semi-annually. On August 30, 2016 the Company issued $140.0 million of convertible senior unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2022, unless previously converted or repurchased in accordance with their terms.

The 2022 Convertible Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, and rank structurally junior to the SVCP 2022 Facility, TCPC Funding Facility and the SBA Program. The Company does not have the right to redeem the 2022 Convertible Notes prior to maturity. The 2022 Convertible Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.625%, payable semi-annually. On August 4, 2017, the Company issued $125.0 million of unsecured notes that mature on August 11, 2022, unless previously repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms. On November 3, 2017, the Company issued an additional $50.0 million of unsecured notes as a follow-on issuance of the 2022 Notes.

The 2022 Notes are general unsecured obligations of the Company, and rank structurally junior to the SVCP 2022 Facility, the TCPC Funding Facility and the SBA Program, and rank pari passu with the 2019 Convertible Notes and 2022 Convertible Notes. The 2022 Notes may be redeemed in whole or part at the Company's option

at a redemption price equal to par plus a “make whole” premium, as determined pursuant to the indenture governing the 2022 Notes, and any accrued and unpaid interest. The 2022 Notes bear interest at an annual rate of 4.125%, payable semi-annually.

The weighted-average financing rate on the Leverage Program at December 31, 2017 was 4.13%.

Market opportunity

We believe that our Advisor has a consistent, non-cyclical track record of finding profitable opportunities to lend its managed assets to middle-market companies under most market conditions. However, we believe that the current environment for direct lending to middle-market companies is especially attractive for several reasons that include:

Reduced lending to middle-market companies by commercial banks. Recent regulatory changes, including the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the introduction of new international capital and liquidity requirements under the Basel III Accords, or Basel III, in addition to the continued ownership of legacy non-performing assets have significantly curtailed banks’ lending capacity. In response, we believe that many commercial lenders have de-emphasized their service and product offerings to middle-market companies in favor of lending, managing capital markets transactions and providing other non-credit services to their larger customers. We expect bank lending to middle-market companies to continue to be constrained for several years as Basel III rules phase in and rules and regulations are promulgated and interpreted under the Dodd-Frank Act.

Limited availability of capital for middle-market companies. We believe that certain structural changes in the market have reduced the amount of capital available to middle-market companies. In particular, we believe there are currently fewer traditional providers of capital to middle-market companies. Traditional middle-market lenders, such as commercial and regional banks and commercial finance companies, have contracted their origination activities and are focusing on more liquid asset classes. At the same time, many institutional investors seek to invest in larger, more liquid offerings, limiting the ability of many middle-market companies to raise debt capital through public capital markets. We believe the Basel III Accord and regulations imposed by the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, significantly increase capital and liquidity requirements for banks, decreasing their capacity to hold non-investment grade leveraged loans on their balance sheets. We believe these factors reduce the capacity of traditional lenders to serve this market.

Middle-market companies are increasingly seeking lenders with access to permanent capital for debt and equity capital. We believe that many middle-market companies prefer to borrow from capital providers like us, rather than execute high-yield bond or equity transactions in the public markets that may necessitate increased financial and regulatory compliance and reporting obligations. Further, we believe many middle-market companies are inclined to seek capital from a small number of providers with access to permanent capital that can satisfy their specific needs and can serve as value-added, long-term financial partners with an understanding of the companies’ growth needs.

Conservative capital structures. We believe the middle-market represents a significant portion of the overall economy, and the demand for capital by middle-market companies reflects generally stronger growth trends and financial performance. In addition, due to the fragmented nature of the middle-market and the lack of publicly available information, we believe lenders have an opportunity to originate and underwrite investments with more favorable terms, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, as well as better call protection and change of control provisions as compared to the large, broadly syndicated loan market.

Investment Process

Our Advisor’s investment process is designed to maximize its strategic advantages: a strong brand name as a specialty lender to the middle-market, and diverse in-house expertise and skills. Our Advisor seeks out opportunities by conducting a rigorous and disciplined investment process that combines the following characteristics:

Deal Sourcing

As a leading middle-market corporate debt investment manager with approximately $9 billion in capital commitments as of December 31, 2017 (approximately 23% of which consists of the Company’s committed capital) and which has invested on behalf of institutions since 1999, the Advisor is active in new deal financing

opportunities in the middle-market segment. However, we believe that the Advisor’s real deal flow advantage comes from the proprietary network of established relationships of its investment professionals and synergies among its professionals and portfolio companies. Members of the Advisor’s Investment Committee for the Company, or the Investment Committee, have long-term relationships with deal sources including investment bankers, restructuring professionals, bankruptcy attorneys, senior lenders, high yield bond specialists, research analysts, accountants, fund management teams, the Advisor’s advisory board, senior executive advisors, board members of former clients, former colleagues and other operating professionals to facilitate deal flow. The Investment Committee is currently comprised of five voting members (Mark K. Holdsworth, Michael Leitner, Howard M. Levkowitz, Philip M. Tseng and Rajneesh Vig). In total, the Investment Committee consists of approximately 30 members from our Advisor. The number of voting and non-voting members of the Investment Committee is subject to increase or decrease in the sole discretion of the Advisor. All members of the Investment Committee attend investment meetings and are encouraged to participate in discussions. In addition, members of the Investment Committee have relationships with other investors, including insurance companies, bond funds, mezzanine funds, private equity funds, hedge funds and other funds which invest in similar assets. Further, the Advisor regularly calls on both active and recently retired senior executives from the relevant industries to assist with the due diligence of potential investments. Historically, these relationships with retired senior executives have also been a valuable source of transactions and information. The Advisor anticipates that they will continue to provide future opportunities. We believe the Advisor’s strong relationships with its portfolio companies facilitate positive word-of-mouth recommendations to other companies seeking the Advisor’s expertise. The Advisor’s relationships often result in the ability to access investment opportunities earlier than many of its competitors and in some cases an exclusive basis.

Due Diligence Process

The foundation of the Advisor’s investment process is intensive investment research and analysis by its experienced staff of investment professionals. The Advisor’s senior professionals have worked together for numerous years and we believe that they have a superior level of credit investing knowledge relative to other credit investors. The Advisor supplements its in-house knowledge with industry experts, including CEO/CFO-level executives, with direct management experience in the industries under consideration. The Advisor prefers these industry experts to consultants because of the practical business advice that comes from having managed businesses. The Advisor rigorously and comprehensively analyzes issuers of securities of interest. The process includes a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the issuer’s business, an evaluation of its management, an analysis of the business strategy and industry trends, and an in-depth examination of the company’s capital structure, financial results and projections. The Advisor’s due diligence process includes:

Structuring Originations

As an early non-bank participant in the leveraged loan market, we believe that loan origination is a core competency of the Advisor. Supplementing industry deal teams’ experience and competency, the Advisor has a number of professionals with legal experience, including significant experience in bankruptcy and secured credit. Deal teams work with the Advisor’s in-house legal specialists and outside counsel to structure over-collateralized loans with what we believe to be strong creditor protections and contractual controls over borrower operations. In many cases, the Advisor works to obtain contractual governance rights and board observer seats to protect principal and maximize post-investment returns. Deals usually include original issue discount upfront fees, exit fees and/or equity participations through warrants or direct equity stakes.

Trading and Secondary Market Purchases

A key element in maximizing investment returns in secondary purchases is buying and selling investments at the best available prices. The Advisor has a dedicated trading staff for both the highly specialized traded loan market and for high-yield bonds. Through its trading operations, the Advisor maintains its established relationships with a network of broker-dealers in the debt securities markets. These relationships provide the Advisor with access to the trading dynamics of existing or potential investments and assist it in effectively executing transactions. These relationships may also lead to the early identification of potential investment opportunities for the Company.

Portfolio Management & Monitoring

Our Advisor actively monitors the financial performance of its portfolio companies and market developments. This constant monitoring permits our Advisor to update position risk assessments, seek to address potential problems early, refine exit plans, and make follow-on investment decisions quickly. We view active portfolio monitoring as a vital part of our investment process.

We consider board observation and information rights, regular dialogue with company management and sponsors, and detailed internally generated monitoring reports to be critical to our performance. We have developed a monitoring template that seeks to ensure compliance with these standards and that is used as a tool by the Investment Committee to assess investment performance relative to plan.

Investment Committee and Decision Process

Our Advisor’s investment process is organized around the Investment Committee that provides for a centralized, repeatable decision process. The Investment Committee meets weekly and, with respect to each fund advised by our Advisor, certain members of the Investment Committee are voting members. The voting members of the Investment Committee for the Company are currently Mark K. Holdsworth, Michael E. Leitner, Howard M. Levkowitz, Philip M. Tseng and Rajneesh Vig. Approval by a simple majority vote of the voting members of the Investment Committee for each respective fund is required for the purchase or sale of any investment, with certain de-minimis exceptions. No voting member has veto power. The Advisor’s investment process is designed to maximize risk-adjusted returns and preserve downside protection.

Investment Structure

Once we determine that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for a direct investment, we work with the management of that company and its other capital providers, including senior and junior lenders, and equity holders, to structure an investment. We negotiate among these parties to agree on how our investment is expected to be structured relative to the other capital in the portfolio company’s capital structure.

Leveraged Loans

We structure our investments primarily as secured leveraged loans. Leveraged loans are generally senior debt instruments that rank ahead of subordinated debt of the portfolio company. Leveraged loans generally have the benefit of security interests on the assets of the portfolio company, which may rank ahead of, or be junior to, other security interests.

High-Yield Securities

The Company’s portfolio currently includes high-yield securities and the Company may invest in high-yield securities in the future. High-yield securities have historically experienced greater default rates than has been the case for investment grade securities and are generally rated below investment grade by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations or will be unrated but of comparable credit quality to obligations rated below investment grade, and have greater credit and liquidity risk than more highly rated obligations. High-yield securities are generally unsecured and may be subordinate to other obligations of the obligor and are often issued in connection with leveraged acquisitions or recapitalizations in which the issuers incur a substantially higher amount of indebtedness than the level at which they had previously operated. The Company’s portfolio may also include mezzanine investments which are generally unsecured and rated below investment grade. Mezzanine investments of the type in which the Company invests in are primarily privately negotiated subordinated debt securities often issued in connection with leveraged transactions, such as management buyouts, acquisitions, re-financings, recapitalizations and later stage growth capital financings, and are generally accompanied by related equity participation features such as options, warrants, preferred and common stock. In some cases, our debt investments may provide for a portion of the interest payable to be paid-in-kind interest. To the extent interest is paid-in-kind, it will be payable through the increase of the principal amount of the obligation by the amount of interest due on the then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of such obligation.

Warrants, Options and Minority Equity

In some cases, we will also receive nominally priced warrants or options to buy a minority equity interest in the portfolio company in connection with a loan. As a result, if a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. We may structure such warrants to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as a “put,” or right to sell such securities back to the issuer, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we may also seek to obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and “piggyback” registration rights.

Distressed Debt

The Company’s portfolio currently includes distressed debt investments and the Company is authorized to continue to invest in the securities and other obligations of distressed and bankrupt issuers, including debt obligations that are in covenant or payment default. As of December 31, 2017, one of the Company’s debt investments was on non-accrual status, representing 0.0% of the Company’s total assets. Such debt investments were largely acquired through secondary market purchases and often led to the receipt of additional equity positions as part of in- or out-of-court debt-for-equity exchanges. The Company does not anticipate distressed debt to be a significant part of its ongoing investment strategy. Such investments generally trade significantly below par and are considered speculative. The repayment of defaulted obligations is subject to significant uncertainties. Defaulted obligations might be repaid only after lengthy workout or bankruptcy proceedings, during which the issuer might not make any interest or other payments. Typically such workout or bankruptcy proceedings result in only partial recovery of cash payments or an exchange of the defaulted obligation for other debt or equity securities of the issuer or its affiliates, which may in turn be illiquid or speculative.

Opportunistic Investments

Opportunistic investments may include, but are not limited to, investments in debt securities of all kinds and at all levels of the capital structure and may include equity securities of public companies that are not thinly traded, emerging market debt, structured finance vehicles such as CLO funds and debt of middle-market companies located outside the United States. We do not intend such investments to be our primary focus.

We tailor the terms of each investment to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that protects our rights and manages our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan and improve its operating results. We seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by:

We expect to hold most of our investments to maturity or repayment, but we may sell some of our investments earlier if a liquidity event occurs, such as a sale, recapitalization or worsening of the credit quality of the portfolio company.

Managerial assistance

As a BDC, we offer, and must provide upon request, managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. We may receive fees for these services and will reimburse the General Partner as our Administrator for its allocated costs in providing such assistance subject to review and approval by our board of directors. The Advisor will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies that request this assistance.

Competition

Our primary competitors to provide financing to middle-market companies include public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial finance companies and private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or to the distribution and other requirements we must satisfy to maintain our favorable RIC tax status.

Properties

We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation. Our headquarters are currently located at 2951 28th Street, Suite 1000, Santa Monica, CA 90405. The Advisor furnishes us office space and we reimburse it for such costs on an allocated basis.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, in the normal course of business, we, the Operating Company, the General Partner and the Advisor are party to certain lawsuits. Furthermore, third parties may try to seek to impose liability on us in connection with the activities of our portfolio companies. While the outcome of any such open legal proceedings cannot at this time be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters will have a material adverse impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Holding Company, the Operating Company, the General Partner or our Advisor.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with the selected financial data appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.

Overview

The Holding Company is a Delaware corporation formed on April 2, 2012 and is an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company. The Holding Company was formed through the conversion of a pre-existing closed-end investment company. The Holding Company elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Our investment objective is to seek to achieve high total returns through current income and capital appreciation, with an emphasis on principal protection. We invest primarily in the debt of middle-market companies as well as small businesses, including senior secured loans, junior loans, mezzanine debt and bonds. Such investments may include an equity component, and, to a lesser extent, we may make equity investments directly. Investment operations are conducted either in Special Value Continuation Partners, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership (the “Operating Company”), of which the Holding Company owns 100% of the common limited partner interests, or in one of the Operating Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, TCPC Funding I, LLC (“TCPC Funding”) and TCPC SBIC, LP (the “SBIC”). The Operating Company has also elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The General Partner of the Operating Company is Series H of SVOF/MM, LLC (“SVOF/MM”), which also serves as the administrator (the “Administrator”) of the Holding Company and the Operating Company. The managing member of SVOF/MM is Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC (the “Advisor”), which serves as the investment manager to the Holding Company, the Operating Company, TCPC Funding, and the SBIC. The equity interests in the General Partner are owned directly by our Advisor. The SBIC was organized as a Delaware limited partnership in June 2013. On April 22, 2014, the SBIC received a license from the United States Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) to operate as a small business investment company under the provisions of Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

The Holding Company has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a RIC, the Holding Company will not be taxed on its income to the extent that it distributes such income each year and satisfies other applicable income tax requirements. The Operating Company, TCPC Funding, and the SBIC have elected to be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Our leverage program is comprised of $100.0 million in available debt under a revolving, multi-currency credit facility issued by the Operating Company (the “SVCP 2022 Facility”), $350.0 million in available debt under a senior secured revolving credit facility issued by TCPC Funding (the “TCPC Funding Facility”), $108.0 million in convertible senior unsecured notes issued by the Holding Company maturing in 2019 (the “2019 Convertible Notes”), $140.0 million in convertible senior unsecured notes issued by the Holding Company maturing in 2022 (the “2022 Convertible Notes”), $175.0 million in senior unsecured notes issued by the Holding Company maturing in 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) and $150.0 million in committed leverage from the SBA (the “SBA Program” and, together with the SVCP 2022 Facility, the TCPC Funding Facility, the 2019 Convertible Notes, the 2022 Convertible Notes and the 2022 Notes, the “Leverage Program”). Prior to such facility being replaced by the SVCP 2022 Facility on February 26, 2018, the Leverage Program included $116.0 million in available debt under a senior secured revolving credit facility issued by the Operating Company (the “SVCP Revolver”) in place of the amounts available under the SVCP 2022 Facility.

To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to our stockholders generally at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for each year. Pursuant to this election, we generally will not have to pay corporate level taxes on any income that we distribute to our stockholders provided that we satisfy those requirements.

Investments

Our level of investment activity can and does vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital available to middle-market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity, the general economic environment and the competitive environment for the types of investments we make.

As a BDC, 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,” including securities and indebtedness of private U.S. companies, public U.S. operating companies whose securities are not listed on a national securities exchange or registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, public domestic operating companies having a market capitalization of less than $250.0 million, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. We are also permitted to make certain follow-on investments in companies that were eligible portfolio companies at the time of initial investment but that no longer meet the definition. As of December 31, 2017, 88.6% of our total assets were invested in qualifying assets.

Revenues

We generate revenues primarily in the form of interest on the debt we hold. We also generate revenue from dividends on our equity interests, capital gains on the disposition of investments, and certain lease, fee, and other income. Our investments in fixed income instruments generally have an expected maturity of three to five years, although we have no lower or upper constraint on maturity. Interest on our debt investments is generally payable quarterly or semi-annually. Payments of principal of our debt investments may be amortized over the stated term of the investment, deferred for several years or due entirely at maturity. In some cases, our debt investments and preferred stock investments may defer payments of cash interest or dividends or PIK. Any outstanding principal amount of our debt investments and any accrued but unpaid interest will generally become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of prepayment fees, commitment, origination, structuring or due diligence fees, end-of-term or exit fees, fees for providing significant managerial assistance, consulting fees and other investment related income.

Expenses

Our primary operating expenses include the payment of a base management fee and, depending on our operating results, incentive compensation, expenses reimbursable under the management agreement, administration fees and the allocable portion of overhead under the administration agreement. The base management fee and incentive compensation remunerates our Advisor for work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing and monitoring our investments. Our administration agreement with Series H of SVOF/MM, LLC (the “Administrator”) provides that the Administrator may be reimbursed for costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator for office space rental, office equipment and utilities allocable to us under the administration agreement, as well as any costs and expenses incurred by the Administrator or its affiliates relating to any non-investment advisory, administrative or operating services provided by the Administrator or its affiliates to us. We also bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions (and the Holding Company’s common stockholders indirectly bear all of the costs and expenses of the Holding Company, the Operating Company, TCPC Funding and the SBIC), which may include those relating to:

The investment management agreement provides that the base management fee be calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% of our total assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) payable quarterly in arrears. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, “total assets” is determined without deduction for any borrowings or other liabilities. The base management fee is calculated based on the value of our total assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter.

Additionally, the investment management agreements provide that our Advisor or its affiliates may be entitled to incentive compensation under certain circumstances. According to the terms of such agreements, no incentive compensation was incurred prior to January 1, 2013. Beginning January 1, 2013, the incentive compensation equals the sum of (1) 20% of all of the ordinary income of TCPC since January 1, 2013 and (2) 20% of all net realized capital gains (net of any net unrealized capital depreciation) since January 1, 2013, with each component being subject to a total return requirement of 8% of contributed common equity of TCPC annually. Through December 31, 2017, the incentive compensation was payable to the General Partner by the Operating Company pursuant to the LPA. Effective January 1, 2018, the LPA was amended to remove the incentive compensation distribution provisions therein, and the incentive compensation became payable as a fee under the investment management agreements. The amendment has no impact on the amount of the incentive compensation paid or services received by the Operating Company. The determination of incentive compensation is subject to limitations under the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act.

Critical accounting policies

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires 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. Management considers the following critical accounting policies important to understanding the financial statements. In addition to the discussion below, our critical accounting policies are further described in the notes to our financial statements.

Valuation of portfolio investments

We value our portfolio investments at fair value based upon the principles and methods of valuation set forth in policies adopted by our board of directors. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Market participants are buyers and sellers in the principal (or most advantageous) market for the asset that (i) are independent of us, (ii) are knowledgeable, having a reasonable understanding about the asset based on all available information (including information that might be obtained through due diligence efforts that are usual and customary), (iii) are able to transact for the asset, and (iv) are willing to transact for the asset or liability (that is, they are motivated but not forced or otherwise compelled to do so).

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations unless the quotations are deemed not to represent fair value. We generally obtain market quotations from recognized exchanges, market quotation systems, independent pricing services or one or more broker-dealers or market makers. However, short term debt investments with remaining maturities within 90 days are generally valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Debt and equity securities for which market quotations are not readily available, which is the case for many of our investments, or for which market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value, are valued at fair value using a consistently applied valuation process in accordance with our documented valuation policy that has been reviewed and approved by our board of directors, who also approve in good faith the valuation of such securities as of the end of each quarter. Due to the inherent uncertainty and subjectivity of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events may have differing impacts on the market quotations used to value some of our investments than on the fair values of our investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Market quotations may be deemed not to represent fair value in certain circumstances where we believe that facts and circumstances applicable to an issuer, a seller or purchaser, or the market for a particular security cause current market quotations to not reflect the fair value of the security. Examples of these events could include cases where a security trades infrequently causing a quoted purchase or sale price to become stale, where there is a “forced” sale by a distressed seller, where market quotations vary substantially among market makers, or where there is a wide bid-ask spread or significant increase in the bid-ask spread.

The valuation process approved by our board of directors with respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value is as follows:

Those investments for which market quotations are not readily available or for which market quotations are deemed not to represent fair value are valued utilizing a market approach, an income approach, or both approaches, as appropriate. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities (including a business). The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts (for example, cash flows or earnings) to a single present amount (discounted). The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts. In following these approaches, the types of factors that we may take into account in determining the fair value of our investments include, as relevant and among other factors: available current market data, including relevant and applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and multiples, security covenants, call protection provisions, information rights, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments, its earnings and discounted cash flows, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public, merger and acquisition comparables, our principal market (as the reporting entity) and enterprise values.

When valuing all of our investments, we strive to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset, including assumptions about risk. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

Our investments may be categorized based on the types of inputs used in their valuation. The level in the GAAP valuation hierarchy in which an investment falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation of the investment in its entirety. Investments are classified by GAAP into the three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 — Investments valued using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

Level 2 — Investments valued using other unadjusted observable market inputs, e.g. quoted prices in markets that are not active or quotes for comparable instruments.

Level 3 — Investments that are valued using quotes and other observable market data to the extent available, but which also take into consideration one or more unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation taken as a whole.

As of December 31, 2017, less than 0.1% of our investments were categorized as Level 1, 8.4% were categorized as Level 2, 91.4% were Level 3 investments valued based on valuations by independent third party sources, and 0.1% were Level 3 investments valued based on valuations by our Advisor.

As of December 31, 2016, none of our investments were categorized as Level 1, 8.4% were categorized as Level 2, 91.5% were Level 3 investments valued based on valuations by independent third party sources, and 0.1% were Level 3 investments valued based on valuations by our Advisor.

Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our consolidated financial statements express the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on the financial statements.

Revenue recognition

Interest and dividend income, including income paid in kind, is recorded on an accrual basis. Origination, structuring, closing, commitment and other upfront fees, including original issue discounts, earned with respect to capital commitments are generally amortized or accreted into interest income over the life of the respective debt investment, as are end-of-term or exit fees receivable upon repayment of a debt investment. Other fees, including certain amendment fees, prepayment fees and commitment fees on broken deals, are recognized as earned. Prepayment fees and similar income due upon the early repayment of a loan or debt security are recognized when earned and are included in interest income.

Certain of our debt investments are purchased at a discount to par as a result of the underlying credit risks and financial results of the issuer, as well as general market factors that influence the financial markets as a whole. Discounts on the acquisition of corporate bonds are generally amortized using the effective-interest or constant-yield method assuming there are no questions as to collectability. When principal payments on a loan are received in an amount in excess of the loan’s amortized cost, the excess principal payments are recorded as interest income.

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 amortized cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Realized gains and losses are computed using the specific identification method. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the change in portfolio investment values during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation when gains or losses are realized.

Portfolio and investment activity

During the year ended December 31, 2017, we invested approximately $865.4 million, comprised of new investments in 32 new and 20 existing portfolio companies, as well as draws made on existing commitments and PIK received on prior investments. Of these investments, 97.5% were in senior secured debt comprised of senior secured loans ($784.9 million, or 90.7% of total acquisitions) and senior secured notes ($58.7 million, or 6.8% of total acquisitions). The remaining $21.8 million (2.5% of total acquisitions) were comprised of equity investments including $17.4 million in equity interests in two portfolios of debt and lease assets, and warrants received in connection with six debt investments. Additionally, we received approximately $655.7 million in proceeds from sales or repayments of investments during the year ended December 31, 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we invested approximately $587.2 million, comprised of new investments in 28 new and 19 existing portfolio companies, as well as draws made on existing commitments and PIK received on prior investments. Of these investments, 95.6% were in senior secured debt comprised of senior loans ($506.1 million, or 86.2% of total acquisitions) and senior secured notes ($55.0 million, or 9.4% of total acquisitions). The remaining $26.1 million (4.4% of total acquisitions) were comprised of $23.5 million in equity interests in two portfolios of debt and lease assets, as well as $2.6 million in two warrant positions and two preferred stock positions received in connection with debt investments. Additionally, we received approximately $473.5 million in proceeds from sales or repayments of investments during the year ended December 31, 2016.

At December 31, 2017, our investment portfolio of $1,514.5 million (at fair value) consisted of 96 portfolio companies and was invested 95.5% in debt investments, primarily in senior secured debt. Of our debt investments, 89.2% have floating interest rates and 10.8% have fixed interest rates. In aggregate, our investment portfolio was invested 86.3% in senior secured loans, 6.5% in senior secured notes, 2.7% in junior notes and 4.5% in equity investments. Our average portfolio company investment at fair value was approximately $15.8 million. Our largest portfolio company investment by value was approximately 2.9% of our portfolio and our five largest portfolio company investments by value comprised approximately 13.3% of our portfolio at December 31, 2017.

At December 31, 2016, our investment portfolio of $1,315.0 million (at fair value) consisted of 90 portfolio companies and was invested 95.0% in debt investments, substantially all of which was in senior secured debt. In aggregate, our investment portfolio was invested 83.7% in senior secured loans, 11.3% in senior secured notes and 5.0% in equity investments. Our average portfolio company investment at fair value was approximately $14.6 million. Our largest portfolio company investment by value was approximately 3.5% of our portfolio and our five largest portfolio company investments by value comprised approximately 14.1% of our portfolio at December 31, 2016.

The industry composition of our portfolio at fair value at December 31, 2017 was as follows:

The weighted average effective yield of the debt securities in our portfolio was 10.97% at December 31, 2017 and 10.92% at December 31, 2016. At December 31, 2017, 89.2% of debt investments in our portfolio bore interest based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, EURIBOR, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate, and 10.8% bore interest at fixed rates. The percentage of floating rate debt investments in our portfolio that bore interest based on an interest rate floor was 82.7% at December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2016, 80.5% of debt investments in our portfolio bore interest based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, EURIBOR, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate, and 19.5% bore interest at fixed rates. The percentage of floating rate debt investments in our portfolio that bore interest based on an interest rate floor was 77.0% at December 31, 2016.

Results of operations

Investment income

Investment income totaled $176.0 million, $148.2 million and $146.9 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, of which $173.5 million, $145.0 million and $142.0 million were attributable to interest and fees on our debt investments, $0.3 million, $1.6 million and $1.4 million to lease income, $0.3 million, $0.0 million and $0.0 million to dividends from equity securities, and $1.9 million, $1.6 million and $3.5 million to other income, respectively. Included in interest and fees on our debt investments were $18.6 million, $10.6 million and $12.5 million of non-recurring income related to prepayments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase in investment income in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 reflects an increase in interest income due

to the increase in prepayment income and the larger portfolio size during the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, partially offset by a decrease in lease income. The increase in investment income in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 reflects an increase in interest income due to the larger portfolio size and an increase in lease income in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, partially offset by a decrease in other income.

Expenses

Total operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $62.5 million, $52.3 million and $45.5 million, respectively, comprised of $33.1 million, $25.2 million and $18.9 million in interest expense and related fees, $21.6 million, $18.9 million and $18.6 million in base management and advisory fees, $2.3 million, $1.7 million and $1.6 million in administrative expenses, $1.5 million, $2.3 million and $2.8 million in legal and professional fees, and $4.0 million, $4.2 million and $3.6 million in other expenses, respectively. The increase in expenses in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily reflects the increase in interest expense and other costs related to the increase in outstanding debt, as well as the higher average interest rate following the issuance of the 2022 Convertible Notes and 2022 Notes and the increase in LIBOR rates during the period as well as the increase in management fees due to the increase in assets in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase in expenses in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily reflects the increase in interest expense and other costs related to the increase in available and outstanding debt, including the conversion of the Preferred Interests to term debt, as well as the higher average interest rate following the issuance of the 2022 Convertible Notes and the increase in LIBOR rates, as well as $1.3 million in non-recurring legal costs incurred in 2016.

Net investment income

Net investment income was $113.4 million, $95.3 million and $100.5 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The increase in net investment income in the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily reflects the increase in investment income, partially offset by the increase in expenses in the year ended December 31, 2017. The decrease in net investment income in the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily reflects the increase in expenses, partially offset by the increase in investment income in the year ended December 31, 2016.

Net realized and unrealized gain or loss

Net realized losses for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $20.7 million, $15.0 million and $17.7 million, respectively. Net realized losses during the year ended December 31, 2017 were comprised primarily of a $10.1 million loss realization on the restructuring of our loan to Iracore, a $7.1 million loss realization on the restructuring of our loan to Globecomm, and a $3.5 million loss realization on the restructuring of our loan to Avanti Communications Group. The realized losses for all of these investments were triggered in connection with recapitalizations and all of these investments are still held by us. These realized losses were partially offset by a $7.0 million gain on the sale of our equity in Blackline.

Net realized losses during the year ended December 31, 2016 were comprised primarily of a $12.6 million realization on the restructuring of our loan to CORE Entertainment, Inc. and a $3.0 million loss due to the taxable reorganization of our investment in Boomerang Tube, LLC. Substantially all of the loss on CORE Entertainment, Inc. had been recognized on an unrealized basis in prior years.

Net realized losses during the year ended December 31, 2015 were comprised primarily of $10.6 million in losses due the restructure of our loan to Edmentum, in which we received debt and equity in a de-levered company, and a $12.4 million loss on our loan to Marsico Capital Management which was part of our pre-IPO legacy distressed debt strategy and generated substantial cash interest income. These losses were partially offset by a $5.9 million gain on the partial disposition of our investment in NEXTracker.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation was $(2.1) million, $15.1 million and $(4.7) million, respectively. The change in net

unrealized appreciation/depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2017 was comprised primarily of a $9.0 million markdown of Kawa as well as a $7.1 million markdown of Real Mex in line with industry comparables, partially offset by a $6.4 million markup on AGY and the reversal of previously recognized unrealized gains and losses.

The change in net unrealized appreciation for the year ended December 31, 2016 was comprised primarily of realization of the previously recognized unrealized losses on CORE Entertainment, Inc., plus a $5.9 million gain on Securus Technologies, Inc. and a $4.7 million gain on Soasta, Inc. These gains were partially offset by a $(5.1) million unrealized loss on Iracore.

The change in net unrealized depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2015 was comprised primarily of $(9.7) million in CORE Entertainment, Inc., $(5.9) million in Securus Technologies, Inc. and $(2.7) million in RM OpCo, LLC as well as other mark to market adjustments resulting from market yield spreads during the period. These losses were partially offset by a $6.2 million gain from AGY Holding Corp. and a $2.3 million gain from NEXTracker and reversals of prior period net unrealized depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Income tax expense, including excise tax

The Holding Company has elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code”) and operates in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, the Holding Company must, among other things, timely distribute to its stockholders generally at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, for each year. The Company has made and intends to continue to make the requisite distributions to its stockholders which will generally relieve the Company from U.S. federal income taxes.

Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year dividend distributions from such current year taxable income into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income. Any excise tax expense is recorded at year end as such amounts are known. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, excise tax expenses of $0.1 million, $0.6 million and $0.9 million were recorded, respectively, based on the amount of tax-basis ordinary income carried forward at the respective year-end.

Gain on repurchase of Series A preferred interests

The gain on repurchase of Series A preferred interests of $1.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 was due to the repurchase of 1,675 Preferred Interests on June 30, 2015 at a price of $31.8 million.

Dividends to preferred equity holders

Dividends on the Preferred Interests for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $0.0 million, $0.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The decrease in dividends on Preferred Interests compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was due to the repurchase and retirement of all remaining Preferred Interests during 2015.

Incentive compensation

Incentive compensation for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $22.7 million, $19.1 and $19.9 million, respectively. Incentive compensation for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was paid due to our performance exceeding the total return threshold.

Net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations

The net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations was $67.9 million, $76.3 million and $59.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The lower net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations during the year ended December 31, 2017 is primarily due to the larger net realized and unrealized loss during the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, partially offset by the higher net investment income during the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31,

2016. The higher net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations during the year ended December 31, 2016 is primarily due to the net realized and unrealized gains during the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the net realized and unrealized losses during the year ended December 31, 2015.

Liquidity and capital resources

Since our inception, our liquidity and capital resources have been generated primarily through the initial private placement of common shares of SVCF (the predecessor entity) which were subsequently converted to common stock of the Holding Company, the net proceeds from the initial and secondary public offerings of our common stock, amounts outstanding under our Leverage Program, and cash flows from operations, including investments sales and repayments and income earned from investments and cash equivalents. The primary uses of cash have been investments in portfolio companies, cash distributions to our equity holders, payments to service our Leverage Program and other general corporate purposes.

The following table summarizes the total shares issued and proceeds received in offerings of the Company’s common stock net of underwriting discounts and offering costs as well as shares issued in connection with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The following table summarizes the total shares issued and proceeds received in offerings of the Company’s common stock net of underwriting discounts and offering costs as well as shares issued in connection with the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan for the year ended December 31, 2016.