Prospectus Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) (424b2)

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration Statement No. 333-259302

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated October 15, 2021)

LOGO

Up to $50,000,000

Common Stock

We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). For federal income tax purposes, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Generally, our investment objectives are to: (i) achieve and grow current income by investing in debt securities of established businesses that we believe will provide stable earnings and cash flow to pay expenses, make principal and interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness and make distributions to stockholders that grow over time; and (ii) provide our stockholders with long-term capital appreciation in the value of our assets by investing in equity securities, generally in combination with the aforementioned debt securities, of established businesses that we believe can grow over time to permit us to sell our equity investments for capital gains.

We entered into separate sales agreements, each dated August 15, 2022 (each a “Sales Agreement” and collectively the “Sales Agreements”) with Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. and Virtu Americas LLC (each a “Sales Agent” and collectively the “Sales Agents”), relating to the shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The Sales Agreements provide that we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000 from time to time through the Sales Agents. Subject to the terms of the Sales Agreements, the Sales Agents are not required to sell any specific number or dollar amounts of securities but will act as our sales agents using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with their normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between the Sales Agents and us.

The Sales Agents will be entitled to compensation under the terms of the Sales Agreements at a commission of up to 2.0% of the gross sales price per share of common stock sold pursuant to the Sales Agreements. In connection with the sale of our common stock on our behalf, the Sales Agents will be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the compensation of the Sales Agents will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the Sales Agents against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made by transactions that are deemed to be part of an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act, by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions that qualify for delivery of a prospectus to the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”), in accordance with Rule 153 under the Securities Act, or such other sales as may be agreed by us and the Sales Agents, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The offering of shares of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreements will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of $50,000,000 and (2) the termination of the Sales Agreements by us or the Sales Agents. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-14 of this prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol “GAIN.” On August 12, 2022 the last reported sale price of our common stock on Nasdaq was $15.75 per share. The net asset value (“NAV”) per share of our common stock on June 30, 2022 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement as of which we determined NAV) was $13.44. You are urged to obtain current market quotations of our common stock.

The securities in which we invest generally would be rated below investment grade if they were rated by rating agencies. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. They may also be difficult to value and are illiquid.

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. If our shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering. Investing in shares of our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before investing, you should read the material risks described in the “Risk Factors” section on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement and on page 7 of the accompanying prospectus and under similar headings in the other documents that we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in our common stock, including information about risks. Please read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, before you invest and retain it for future reference. Additional information about us, including our annual, quarterly and current reports, has been filed with the SEC and can be accessed at its website at www.sec.gov. This information is also available free of charge by calling us collect at (703) 287-5893 or on the Investors section of our corporate website located at www.gladstoneinvestment.com. You may also call us collect at this number to request other information or to make a shareholder inquiry. See “Where You Can Find More Information” on page S-15 of this prospectus supplement.

The SEC has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


Oppenheimer & Co.

The date of this prospectus supplement is August 15, 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS


	Page
Prospectus Supplement
About this Prospectus Supplement		S-i
Prospectus Supplement Summary		S-2
The Offering		S-5
Fees and Expenses		S-7
Risk Factors		S-11
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		S-12
Use of Proceeds		S-13
Plan of Distribution		S-14
Custodian, Transfer Agent, Dividend Disbursing Agent and Paying Agent		S-15
Legal Matters		S-15
Experts		S-15
Where You Can Find More Information		S-15
Incorporation by Reference		S-15

Prospectus
Prospectus Summary		1
Fees and Expenses		4
Financial Highlights		4
Risk Factors		7
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		8
Use of Proceeds		9
Price Range of Common Stock		9
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		9
Senior Securities		9
Business		9
Portfolio Companies		10
Management		17
Portfolio Management		17
Control Persons and Principal Stockholders		19
Dividend Reinvestment Plan		20
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations		21
Description of Our Securities		29
Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws		36
Share Repurchases		39
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures		40
Plan of Distribution		41
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices		42
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar		43
Legal Matters		43
Experts		43
Available Information		43
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference		44

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is presented in two parts. The first part is comprised of this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this common stock at-the-market offering and certain other matters relating to us. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, contains a description of our common stock and provides more general information, some of which does not apply to this offering, regarding securities that we may offer from time to time. To the extent that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement differs or varies from the information contained or incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement will supersede such information.

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement on Form N-2 (Registration No. 333-259302) that we have filed with the SEC relating to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information that we have included or incorporated by reference in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules thereto in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, and we refer you to such omitted information. It is important for you to read and consider all of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before making your investment decision. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement.

The distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and this offering of the securities may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of our common stock in any jurisdiction where such offer or any sale would be unlawful. Persons who come into possession of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus should inform themselves of and observe any such restrictions.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in making an investment decision. We have not, and the Sales Agents have not, authorized any other person to provide you with information that is different or additional. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. We do not, and the Sales Agents and their affiliates do not, take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to, the reliability of any information that others may provide to you. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates, or that any information incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any sales of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, funds from operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. To the extent required by law, we will amend or supplement the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

S-i

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

The following summary highlights some of the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that you may want to consider. You should review the more detailed information contained or incorporated by reference elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus prior to making an investment in our common stock, and especially the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any document incorporated by reference herein or therein.

In this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, except where the context suggests otherwise, the “Company,” “Gladstone Investment,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Gladstone Investment Corporation; “Adviser” refers to Gladstone Management Corporation and “Administrator” refers to Gladstone Administration, LLC.

Gladstone Investment Corporation

We were incorporated under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware on February 18, 2005. We operate as an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company and have elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. To continue to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes and obtain favorable RIC tax treatment, we must meet certain requirements, including certain minimum distribution requirements.

Shares of our common stock, our 5.00% Notes due 2026 (“2026 Notes”) and our 4.875% Notes due 2028 (“2028 Notes”) are traded on Nasdaq under the trading symbols “GAIN,” “GAINN,” and “GAINZ,” respectively.

Investment Adviser and Administrator

We are externally managed by the Adviser, an affiliate of ours, under an investment advisory and management agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) and another of our affiliates, the Administrator, provides administrative services to us pursuant to a contractual agreement (the “Administration Agreement”). Each of the Adviser and the Administrator are privately-held companies that are indirectly owned and controlled by David Gladstone, our chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Gladstone and Terry Lee Brubaker, our vice chairman and chief operating officer, also serve on the board of directors of the Adviser, the board of managers of the Administrator, and as executive officers of the Adviser and the Administrator. The Administrator employs, among others, our chief financial officer and treasurer, chief valuation officer, chief compliance officer, general counsel and secretary (who also serves as the president, general counsel and secretary of the Administrator) and their respective staffs. The Adviser and Administrator have extensive experience in our lines of business and also provide investment advisory and administrative services, respectively, to our affiliates, including: Gladstone Commercial Corporation, a publicly-traded real estate investment trust; Gladstone Capital Corporation (“Gladstone Capital”), a publicly-traded BDC and RIC; and Gladstone Land Corporation, a publicly-traded real estate investment trust. In the future, the Adviser and Administrator may provide investment advisory and administrative services, respectively, to other funds and companies, both public and private.

The Adviser was organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware on July 2, 2002 and is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Administrator was organized as a limited liability company under the laws of the State of Delaware on March 18, 2005. The Adviser and Administrator are headquartered in McLean, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. The Adviser also has offices in several other states.

Investment Objectives and Strategy

We were established for the purpose of investing in debt and equity securities of established private businesses operating in the United States (“U.S.”). Our investment objectives are to: (i) achieve and grow current income by investing in debt securities of established businesses that we believe will provide stable earnings and cash flow to pay expenses, make principal and interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness and make distributions to our stockholders that grow over time; and (ii) provide our stockholders with long-term capital appreciation in the value of our assets by investing in equity securities, generally in combination with the aforementioned debt securities, of established businesses that we believe can grow over time to permit us to sell our equity investments for capital gains. To achieve our objectives, our investment strategy is to invest in several categories of debt and equity securities, with individual investments generally totaling up to $70 million, although investment size may vary depending upon our total assets or available capital at the time of investment. We expect that our investment portfolio over time will consist of approximately 75.0% in debt securities and 25.0% in equity securities, at cost. As of June 30, 2022, our investment portfolio was comprised of 72.9% in debt securities and 27.1% in equity securities, at cost.

S-2

We focus on investing in lower middle market private businesses (which we generally define as companies with annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $3 million to $20 million) in the U.S. that meet certain criteria, including: the sustainability of the business’ free cash flow and its ability to grow it over time, adequate assets for loan collateral, experienced management teams with a significant ownership interest in the portfolio company, reasonable capitalization of the portfolio company, including an ample equity contribution or cushion based on prevailing enterprise valuation multiples, and the potential to realize appreciation and gain liquidity in our equity position, if any. We anticipate that liquidity in our equity position will be achieved through a merger or acquisition of the portfolio company, a public offering of the portfolio company’s stock or, to a lesser extent, by exercising our right to require the portfolio company to repurchase our warrants, though there can be no assurance that we will always have these rights. We invest in portfolio companies that seek funds for management buyouts and/or growth capital to finance acquisitions, recapitalize or, to a lesser extent, refinance their existing debt facilities. We seek to avoid investing in high-risk, early-stage enterprises.

We invest by ourselves or jointly with other funds and/or management of the portfolio company, depending on the opportunity. In July 2012, the SEC granted us an exemptive order (the “Co-Investment Order”) that expanded our ability to co-invest, under certain circumstances, with certain of our affiliates, including Gladstone Capital and any future BDC or closed-end management investment company that is advised (or sub-advised if it controls the fund) by the Adviser, or any combination of the foregoing, subject to the conditions in the Co-Investment Order. We believe the Co-Investment Order has enhanced and will continue to enhance our ability to further our investment objectives and strategies. If we are participating in an investment with one or more co-investors, whether or not an affiliate of ours, our investment is likely to be smaller than if we were investing alone.

We seek debt instruments that pay interest monthly or, at a minimum, quarterly, and which may include a yield enhancement such as a success fee or, to a lesser extent, deferred interest provision and are primarily interest only, with all principal and any accrued but unpaid interest due at maturity. Generally, success fees accrue at a set rate and are contractually due upon a change of control of the portfolio company. Some debt securities may have deferred interest whereby some portion of the interest payment is added to the principal balance so that the interest is paid, together with the principal, at maturity. This form of deferred interest is often called “paid-in-kind” (“PIK”) interest. As of June 30, 2022, we did not have any securities with a PIK feature.

Typically, our investments in equity securities take the form of common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests, or warrants or options to purchase any of the foregoing. Often, these equity investments occur in connection with our original investment, buyouts and recapitalizations of a business, or refinancing existing debt. From our initial public offering in 2005 through June 30, 2022, we invested in 56 companies, excluding investments in syndicated loans.

We expect that our investment portfolio will continue to primarily include the following three categories of investments in private companies in the U.S.:

•

First Lien Secured Debt Securities: We seek to invest a portion of our assets in first lien secured debt securities also known as senior loans, senior term loans, lines of credit and senior notes. Using its assets as collateral, the borrower typically uses first lien secured debt to cover a substantial portion of the funding needs of the business. These debt securities usually take the form of first priority liens on all, or substantially all, of the assets of the business.

•

Second Lien Secured Debt Securities: We seek to invest a portion of our assets in second lien secured debt securities, which may also be referred to as subordinated loans, subordinated notes and mezzanine loans. These second lien secured debt securities rank junior to the borrower’s first lien secured debt securities and may be secured by second priority liens on all or a portion of the assets of the business. Additionally, we may receive other yield enhancements in addition to or in lieu of success fees, such as warrants to buy common and preferred stock or limited liability interests, in connection with these second lien secured debt securities.

•

Preferred and Common Equity/Equivalents: We seek to invest a portion of our assets in equity securities, which consist of preferred and common equity, limited liability company interests, warrants or options to acquire such securities, and are generally in combination with our debt investment in a business. Additionally, we may receive equity investments derived from restructurings on some of our existing debt investments. In many cases, we will own a significant portion of the equity of the businesses in which we invest.

S-3

Under the 1940 Act, we may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as “qualifying assets” and generally include each of the investment types listed above, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets (other than certain assets related to our operations) represent at least 70.0% of our total assets. See “— Regulation as a BDC — Qualifying Assets” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the types of qualifying assets in which we are permitted to invest pursuant to Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act.

Because the majority of the loans in our portfolio consist of term debt in private companies that typically cannot or will not expend the resources to have their debt securities rated by a credit rating agency, we expect that most, if not all, of the debt securities we acquire will be unrated. Investors should assume that these loans would be rated below what is considered “investment grade” quality. Investments rated below investment grade are often referred to as high yield securities or junk bonds and may be considered higher risk as compared to investment grade debt instruments.

S-4

THE OFFERING

Common stock offered

Shares with a maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000.

Common stock outstanding prior to this offering

33,205,023 shares.

Plan of Distribution

“At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through the Sales Agents. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-14 of this prospectus supplement.

On August 15, 2022, we established the at-the-market program to which this prospectus supplement relates and entered into the Sales Agreements with the Sales Agents.

Use of Proceeds

If we sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of $50.0 million, we anticipate that our net proceeds, after deducting the Sales Agents’ maximum commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, will be approximately $48.8 million. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering first to repay outstanding indebtedness (which may include borrowings, if any, under our credit facility, with KeyBank, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender (the “Credit Facility”)), then to fund new investment opportunities in accordance with our investment objectives, with any remaining proceeds to be used for other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-13 of this prospectus supplement.

Nasdaq symbol

“GAIN”

Distributions on common stock

From our initial public offering in June 2005 through June 30, 2022, we have made 204 consecutive monthly distributions to common stockholders and generally intend to continue to do so. The amount of monthly distributions on our common stock is generally determined by our Board of Directors on a quarterly basis and is based on management’s estimate of our annual taxable ordinary income plus the excess of our net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses (“Investment Company Taxable Income”) and net long-term capital gains, if any. Because our distributions to common stockholders are based on estimates of Investment Company Taxable Income and net long-term capital gains that may differ from actual results, future distributions payable to our common stockholders may also include a return of capital. Such return of capital distributions may increase an investor’s tax liability for capital gains upon the sale of our shares by reducing the investor’s tax basis for such shares. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to an Investment in Our Securities—Distributions to our common stockholders have included and may in the future include a return of capital” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain additional amounts may be deemed as distributed to stockholders for income tax purposes or may be paid as supplemental distributions, as applicable. We expect other types of securities to pay distributions in accordance with their terms.

Tax matters

See “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” beginning on page 21 of the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in shares of our common stock.

S-5

Risk Factors

Investing in shares of our common stock involves substantial risks. Please carefully read and consider the information described under “Risk Factors” on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement and on page 7 of the accompanying prospectus and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein before making an investment decision.

S-6

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 percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus supplement contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses. Except as noted below, the following annualized percentages were calculated based on actual expenses incurred in the quarter ended June 30, 2022 and average net assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, and do not include events occurring subsequent thereto. The table and examples below include all fees and expenses of our consolidated subsidiaries.


Stockholder Transaction Expenses:
Sales load or other commission (as a percentage of offering price)⁽¹⁾	2.00	%
Offering expenses (as a percentage of offering price)⁽²⁾	0.39	%
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses (per sales transaction fee)⁽³⁾	Up to $25 Transaction fee

Total stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)	2.39	%
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock)^(4):
Base management fee⁽⁵⁾	3.20	%
Loan servicing fee⁽⁶⁾	1.58	%
Incentive fees (20% of realized capital gains and 20% of pre-incentive fee net investment income)⁽⁷⁾	2.70	%
Interest payments on borrowed funds⁽⁸⁾	3.52	%
Other expenses⁽⁹⁾	1.96	%

Total annual expenses⁽¹⁰⁾	12.96	%

⁽¹⁾

Represents the maximum commission with respect to the shares of common stock being sold in this offering. The Sales Agents will be entitled to compensation of up to 2.0% of the gross proceeds of the sale of any shares of our common stock under the Sales Agreements, with the exact amount of such compensation to be mutually agreed upon by us and the Sales Agents from time to time. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

⁽²⁾	The percentage reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $0.2 million and assumes we sell all $50.0 million of common stock available under the Sales Agreements pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

⁽³⁾

The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan, if any, are included in stock record expenses, a component of “Other expenses.” If a participant elects by written notice to the plan agent prior to termination of his or her account to have the plan agent sell part or all of the shares held by the plan agent in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan agent is authorized to deduct a transaction fee, plus per share brokerage commissions, from the proceeds. The participants in the dividend reinvestment plan will also bear a transaction fee, plus per share brokerage commissions incurred with respect to open market purchases, if any. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Distributions and Dividends to Stockholders—Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for information on the dividend reinvestment plan.

⁽⁴⁾	The percentages presented in this table are gross of credits to any fees.

⁽⁵⁾

The base management fee is payable quarterly to the Adviser pursuant to our Advisory Agreement and is assessed at an annual rate of 2.0%, computed on the basis of the value of our average gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed quarters (inclusive of the current quarter), which are total assets, including investments made with proceeds of borrowings, less any uninvested cash or cash equivalents resulting from borrowings, valued at the end of the applicable quarters within the respective period and adjusted appropriately for any share issuances or repurchases during the period. In accordance with the requirements of the SEC, the table above shows our base management fee as a percentage of average net assets attributable to common stockholders. For purposes of the table, the annualized base management fee has been converted to 3.20% of the average net assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, by dividing the total annualized amount of the base management fee by our average net assets for the quarter ended June 30, 2022. The base management fee for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, before application of any credits was $3.6 million.

S-7

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Adviser makes available significant managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. The Adviser may also provide other services to our portfolio companies under certain agreements and may receive fees for services other than managerial assistance. Such services may include: (i) assistance obtaining, sourcing or structuring credit facilities, long term loans or additional equity from unaffiliated third parties; (ii) negotiating important contractual financial relationships; (iii) consulting services regarding restructuring of the portfolio company and financial modeling as it relates to raising additional debt and equity capital from unaffiliated third parties; and (iv) primary role in interviewing, vetting and negotiating employment contracts with candidates in connection with adding and retaining key portfolio company management team members. The Adviser non-contractually, unconditionally, and irrevocably credits 100% of any fees received for such services against the base management fee that we would otherwise be required to pay to the Adviser; however, pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement, a small percentage of certain of such fees, is retained by the Adviser in the form of reimbursement, at cost, for tasks completed by personnel of the Adviser and primarily for the valuation of portfolio companies. For the quarter ended June 30, 2022, $0.8 million of these fees were non-contractually, unconditionally and irrevocably credited against the base management fee. See “Item 1. Business —Transactions with Related Parties—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

⁽⁶⁾

The Adviser services the loans held by Gladstone Business Investment, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary (“Business Investment”), in return for which the Adviser receives a 2.0% annual loan servicing fee based on the monthly aggregate balance of loans pledged under the Credit Facility. Since Business Investment is a consolidated subsidiary of ours, coupled with the fact that the total base management fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement cannot exceed 2.0% of total assets (less any uninvested cash and cash equivalents resulting from borrowings) during any given calendar year, we treat payment of the loan servicing fee pursuant to our Credit Facility as a pre-payment of the base management fee under the Advisory Agreement. Accordingly, these loan servicing fees are 100% non-contractually, unconditionally and irrevocably credited back to us by the Adviser. The loan servicing fee for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $1.8 million. See “Item 1. Business—Transactions with Related Parties—Loan Servicing Fee Pursuant to Credit Facility” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and footnote 5 above.

⁽⁷⁾

The incentive fee payable to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement consists of two parts: an income-based fee and a capital gains-based fee. The income-based incentive fee is payable quarterly in arrears, and equals 20% of the excess, if any, of our pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds a 1.75% quarterly hurdle rate of our net assets, which we define as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable or contractually due but not payable during the period, at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, adjusted appropriately for any share issuances or repurchases during the period, subject to a “catch-up” provision measured as of the end of each calendar quarter. The “catch-up” provision requires us to pay 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 125% of the quarterly hurdle rate (or 2.1875%) in any calendar quarter. The catch-up provision is meant to provide our Adviser with 20% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when our pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 125% of the quarterly hurdle rate in any calendar quarter. For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the income-based incentive fee was $2.1 million.

The capital gains-based incentive fee equals 20% of our net realized capital gains in excess of unrealized depreciation since our inception, if any, computed as all realized capital gains net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation since our inception, less any prior payments, measured at the end of each calendar year and payable at the end of each fiscal year. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded capital gains-based incentive fees of $0.9 million in accordance with the provisions of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which were not contractually due under the terms of the Advisory Agreement.

No credits were applied to the incentive fee for the three months ended June 30, 2022; however, the Adviser may credit such fee in the future.

Examples of how the incentive fee would be calculated are as follows:

•

Assuming pre-incentive fee net investment income of 0.55%, there would be no income-based incentive fee because such income would not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75%.

•

Assuming pre-incentive fee net investment income of 2.00%, the income-based incentive fee would be as follows:

= 100.0% × (2.00% - 1.75%)

= 0.25%

S-8

•

Assuming pre-incentive fee net investment income of 2.30%, the income-based incentive fee would be as follows:

= (100.0% × (“catch-up”: 2.1875% - 1.75%)) + (20.0% × (2.30% - 2.1875%))

= (100.0% × 0.4375%) + (20.0% × 0.1125%)

= 0.4375% + 0.0225%

= 0.46%

•

Assuming net realized capital gains of 6% and realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation of 1%, the capital gains-based incentive fee would be as follows:

= 20.0% × (6.0% - 1.0%)

= 20.0% × 5.0%

= 1.0%

For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of the two-part incentive fee, including the capital gains-based incentive fee calculation under GAAP, see “Item 1. Business—Transactions with Related Parties—Investment Advisory and Management Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

⁽⁸⁾

Includes amortization of deferred financing costs. As of June 30, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under our Credit Facility, $127.9 million of 2026 Notes, $134.6 million of 2028 Notes and $5.1 million of secured borrowings. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Revolving Line of Credit” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Notes Payable” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the Credit Facility and our notes payable.

⁽⁹⁾

Includes our overhead expenses, including payments under the Administration Agreement based on our projected allocable portion of overhead and other expenses estimated to be incurred by our Administrator for the current fiscal year in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement. See “Item 1. Business—Transactions with Related Parties—Administration Agreement” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

⁽¹⁰⁾

Total annualized gross expenses, based on actual amounts incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2022 (except as set forth in footnote 9), would be $57.7 million. After all non-contractual, unconditional, and irrevocable credits described in footnotes 5, 6, and 7 above are applied to the base management fee and the loan servicing fee, total annualized expenses after fee credits, based on actual amounts incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2022 (except as set forth in footnote 9), would be $47.7 million or 10.7% as a percentage of net assets.

Example

The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative 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 would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. The example below and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5.0% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%.


	1 Year		3 Years		5 Years		10 Years
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment:
assuming a 5% annual return consisting entirely of ordinary income⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	108	$	305	$	480	$	836
assuming a 5% annual return consisting entirely of capital gains⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	117	$	327	$	511	$	872

⁽¹⁾

For purposes of this example, we have assumed that the entire amount of the assumed 5.0% annual return would constitute ordinary income. While we recorded capital gains-based incentive fees of $0.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2022 in accordance with GAAP, these fees were not contractually due under the terms of the Advisory Agreement. Because the assumed 5.0% annual return is significantly below the hurdle rate of 7.00% (annualized) that we must achieve under the Advisory Agreement to trigger the payment of an income-based incentive fee, we have assumed, for purposes of this example, that no income-based incentive fee would be payable if we realized a 5.0% annual return.

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⁽²⁾

While the example assumes reinvestment of all distributions at NAV per share, participants in the dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the 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 distribution, and this price per share may differ from NAV per share. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Distributions and Dividends to Stockholders—Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

⁽³⁾	For purposes of this example, we have assumed that the entire amount of the assumed 5.0% annual return would constitute capital gains and that no accumulated capital losses or unrealized depreciation would have to be overcome first before a capital gains-based incentive fee is payable.

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RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below and in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus, in addition to the risk factors included in any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making a decision to purchase shares of our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or not presently deemed material by us, may also impair our operations and performance.

If any of the risks described below or in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. If that happens, the trading price of our securities and NAV of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. We believe the risk factors described below and in these other documents are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in our common stock as well as those factors generally associated with an investment company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours.

Our management will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may allocate the net proceeds from this offering in ways that you and other stockholders may not approve of.

Our management will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used in ways with which you may not agree or may not otherwise be considered appropriate. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. The failure of our management to use these funds effectively could harm our business. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders.

We may be unable to invest a significant portion of the net proceeds of this offering on acceptable terms.

Delays in investing the net proceeds raised in an offering or from exiting an investment, prepayment of an investment or other capital source may cause our performance to be worse than that of other fully invested BDCs or other lenders or investors pursuing comparable investment strategies. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify any investments that meet our investment objective or that any investment that we make will produce a positive return. We may be unable to invest the net proceeds from any offering, from exiting an investment, prepayment of an investment or other capital source on acceptable terms within the time period that we anticipate or at all, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, other than historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These statements may relate to, among other things, future events or our future operating results, our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies, actual and potential conflicts of interest with the Adviser and its affiliates, the use of borrowed money to finance our investments, the adequacy of our financing sources and working capital, and our ability to co-invest, among other factors. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “believe,” “will,” “provided,” “anticipate,” “future,” “could,” “growth,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “if,” “seek,” “possible,” “potential,” “likely” or the negative or other variations of such terms or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to:

•

changes in the economy and the capital markets;

•

risks associated with negotiation and consummation of pending and future transactions;

•

the loss of one or more of our executive officers, in particular David Gladstone, David Dullum or Terry Lee Brubaker;

•

changes in our investment objectives and strategy;

•

availability, terms (including the possibility of interest rate volatility) and deployment of capital;

•

changes in our industry, interest rates, exchange rates, regulation or the general economy;

•

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

•

the degree and nature of our competition;

•

changes in governmental regulations, tax rates and similar matters;

•

our ability to exit investments in a timely manner;

•

our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC and as a BDC; and

•

those factors described or incorporated by reference in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus supplement and under the heading “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus..

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this prospectus supplement. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports or other documents we have filed, or in the future may file, with the SEC, including subsequent annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be by transactions that are deemed to be part of an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions that qualify for delivery of a prospectus to Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 153 under the Securities Act or such other sales as may be agreed by us and the Sales Agents, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at other negotiated prices. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Actual sales, if any, of our common stock under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be less than as set forth in this paragraph depending on, among other things, the market price of our common stock at the time of any such sale. As a result, the actual net proceeds we receive may be more or less than the amount of net proceeds estimated in this prospectus supplement. However, assuming the sale of all of the $50.0 million of common stock offered under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we anticipate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $48.8 million, after deducting the maximum estimated sales commission payable to the Sales Agents and our estimated offering expenses of $0.2 million.

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to pay down outstanding debt (which may include borrowings under the Credit Facility), if any, then to make investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategy, with any remaining proceeds to be used for other general corporate purposes. We intend to re-borrow under our Credit Facility to make investments in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objectives depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objectives and market conditions. As of June 30, 2022, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility, which has a maturity date of February 28, 2026. Advances under the Credit Facility generally bear interest at 30-day LIBOR, subject to a floor of 0.5%, plus 2.85% per annum until February 29, 2024, with the margin then increasing to 3.10% for the period from February 29, 2024 to February 28, 2025, and increasing further to 3.35% thereafter. The Credit Facility has an unused commitment fee on the daily unused commitment amount of between 0.50% and 1.00% per annum based on the average unused commitment amount for the period..

Pending such utilization, we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment, consistent with the requirements for continued qualification as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. These temporary investments may have lower yields than our other investments and, accordingly, may result in lower distributions, if any, during such period. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds from an offering, pending full investment, are held in lower yielding interest-bearing deposits or other short-term instruments.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We entered into the Sales Agreements with the Sales Agents on August 15, 2022, pursuant to which we may issue and sell shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, from time to time through the Sales Agents that have an aggregate offering price of up to $50.0 million.

Upon delivery of a placement notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreements, the Sales Agents will use their commercially reasonable efforts consistent with their respective sales and trading practices to sell by any method permitted by law deemed to be part of an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act, by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions that qualify for delivery of a prospectus to Nasdaq in accordance with Rule 153 under the Securities Act or such other sales as may be agreed by us and the Sales Agents, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We will instruct the Sales Agents as to the amount of common stock to be sold; provided, however, that, subject to the terms of the Sales Agreements, any sales of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreements will only be effected by or through only one Sales Agent on any single given day, but in no event by more than one Sales Agent. We may instruct the Sales Agents not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any instruction. We or the Sales Agents may suspend the offering of shares of common stock upon proper notice and subject to other conditions.

The Sales Agents will provide written confirmation of a sale to us no later than the opening of the trading day on Nasdaq following each trading day in which shares of our common stock are sold under the Sales Agreements. Each confirmation will include the number of shares of common stock sold on the preceding day, the net proceeds to us and the compensation payable by us to the Sales Agents in connection with the sales.

The Sales Agents will receive from us a commission to be negotiated from time to time but in no event in excess of 2.0% of the gross sales price of all shares of common stock sold through it as sales agent under the Sales Agreements. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable to the Sales Agents under the terms of the Sales Agreements, will be approximately $0.2 million, which includes our legal, accounting and printing costs and various other fees associated with the offering, assuming all $50.0 million shares of common stock are sold pursuant to this prospectus supplement.

Settlement for sales of shares of common stock will occur on the second trading day following the date on which such sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by the Company and the Sales Agents in connection with a particular transaction, in each case in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, in return for payment of the net proceeds to the Company. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, the Sales Agents will be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the Sales Agents will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the Sales Agents against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and the 1940 Act.

The offering of our shares of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreements will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all common stock subject to the Sales Agreements and (ii) the termination of the Sales Agreements by us or the Sales Agents in accordance with their terms. The Sales Agreements may be terminated by us in our sole discretion under the circumstances specified in the Sales Agreements by giving five days’ notice to the Sales Agents. In addition, each Sales Agent may terminate its Sales Agreement under the circumstances specified in such Sales Agreement by giving five days’ notice to us.

The Sales Agents and their affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the Sales Agents and its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers.

The principal business address of each of our Sales Agents are as follows: Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., 85 Broad Street, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10004; and Virtu Americas LLC, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.

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CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AGENT, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND PAYING AGENT

The custodian of our assets is The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. The custodian’s address is: 500 Ross Street, Suite 935, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15262. Our assets are held under bank custodianship in compliance with the 1940 Act. Securities held through Gladstone Business Investment, LLC, our wholly owned subsidiary, are held under a custodian agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon Corp., which acts as collateral custodian pursuant to the Credit Facility with KeyBank and certain other parties. The address of the collateral custodian is 2322 French Settlement Road, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75212. Computershare acts as our transfer and dividend paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of Computershare is 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, telephone number (781) 575-2000. Computershare also maintains an internet website at www.computershare.com.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters, including the validity of the common stock to be issued in connection with this offering, will be passed upon for us by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Washington, D.C. Kirkland & Ellis LLP also represents the Adviser. The Sales Agents are being represented in connection with this offering by Dechert LLP, Washington, D.C.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and the senior securities table incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute part of a registration statement on Form N-2 that we have filed with the SEC, together with any and all amendments and related exhibits under the Securities Act. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, some of which is contained in exhibits to the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the offering under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits filed as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement. Statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete. If a contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise incorporated by reference as an exhibit thereto, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed or incorporated by reference. Each statement in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to a contract or document filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by such exhibit.

We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. This information is available free of charge in the investor relations section of our website at www.Gladstoneinvestment.com. Except for the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, information contained on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and you should not consider such information to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC, which are available on the SEC’s website free of charge at www.sec.gov. You can request a copy of any of our SEC filings, including those incorporated by reference herein or in the accompanying prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the address or telephone number above.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. We are allowed to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this prospectus supplement, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede this information. We incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement the documents listed below:

S-15

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2022;

•

our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, filed with the SEC on August 3, 2022;

•

our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed with the SEC on June 17, 2022; and

•

the description of our common stock contained in our Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 814-00704), filed on June 21, 2005, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, from the date of this prospectus supplement until all of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement have been sold or the offering of these securities is otherwise terminated, provided, however, that information “furnished” under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC which is not deemed filed is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus.

You may obtain copies of any of these filings from us as described below, through the SEC or through the SEC’s website as described below. Documents incorporated by reference are available without charge, excluding all exhibits unless an exhibit has been specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, by writing or calling our Investor Relations Department at the following address and telephone number:

Investor Relations

Gladstone Investment Corporation

1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100

McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 287-5893

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PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

LOGO

$300,000,000

COMMON STOCK

PREFERRED STOCK

DEBT SECURITIES

SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

WARRANTS

We may offer, from time to time, up to $300,000,000 aggregate primary offering price of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share, preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, debt securities, subscription rights, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, or concurrent, separate offerings of these securities (collectively, “Securities”), in one or more offerings. The Securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be disclosed in one or more supplements to this prospectus. In the case of our common stock and warrants or rights to acquire such common stock hereunder, the offering price per share of our common stock by us, less any underwriting commissions or discounts, will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time of the offering except (i) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (ii) with the consent of the holders of the majority of our outstanding voting securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)), or (iii) under such other circumstances as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) may permit. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our Securities.

We operate as an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company and have elected to be treated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the 1940 Act. For federal income tax purposes, we have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Our investment objectives are to: (i) achieve and grow current income by investing in debt securities of established businesses that we believe will provide stable earnings and cash flow to pay expenses, make principal and interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness and make distributions to stockholders that grow over time; and (ii) provide our stockholders with long-term capital appreciation in the value of our assets by investing in equity securities, generally in combination with the aforementioned debt securities, of established businesses that we believe can grow over time to permit us to sell our equity investments for capital gains.

Our Securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders in a rights offering, 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 or underwriters involved in the sale of our Securities, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters 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 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 “GAIN.” As of September 2, 2021, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $14.93 and the net asset value per share of our common stock on June 30, 2021 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus as of which we determined our net asset value per share) was $12.66. Our 5.00% Notes due 2026 and our 4.875% Notes due 2028 trade on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbols “GAINN” and “GAINZ,” respectively. As of September 2, 2021, the last reported sales price of our 5.00% Notes due 2026 and our 4.875% Notes due 2028 was $26.13 and $25.36, respectively.

An investment in our Securities involves certain risks, including, among other things, the risk of leverage and risks relating to investments in securities of small, private and developing businesses. Common shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value per share. If our shares trade at a discount to their net asset value, this will likely increase the risk of loss to purchasers of our Securities. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties, including the risk of leverage and dilution, described in, or incorporated by reference into, the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus or included in, or incorporated by reference into, the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus before investing in our securities.

This prospectus contains information you should know before investing in our Securities, including information about risks. Please read it before you invest and keep it for future reference. Additional information about us, including material incorporated by reference in this prospectus, has been filed with the SEC and can be accessed at its website at www.sec.gov. This information is also available free of charge or you may make stockholder inquiries by writing to us at Investor Relations, Gladstone Investment Corporation, 1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100, McLean, VA 22102, by calling our toll-free investor relations line at 1-866-214-7543 or on our website at http://www.gladstoneinvestment.com. See “Additional Information.” Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The SEC has not approved or disapproved these Securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

October 15, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS


	Page
Prospectus Summary		1
Fees and Expenses		4
Financial Highlights		4
Risk Factors		7
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements		8
Use of Proceeds		9
Price Range of Common Stock		9
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		9
Senior Securities		9
Business		9
Portfolio Companies		10
Management		17
Portfolio Management		17
Control Persons and Principal Stockholders		19
Dividend Reinvestment Plan		20
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations		21
Description of Our Securities		29
Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws		36
Share Repurchases		39
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures		40
Plan of Distribution		41
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices		42
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar		43
Legal Matters		43
Experts		43
Available Information		43
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference		44

We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying supplement to this prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement as if we had authorized it. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any security other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do they constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement is accurate as of the dates on their respective covers only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates. We will update these documents to reflect material changes only as required by law.

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, up to $300,000,000 of our Securities on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. 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 a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. To the extent required by law, we will amend or supplement the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement to reflect any material changes to such information subsequent to the date of the prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and prior to the completion of any offering pursuant to the prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Please carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under “Additional Information,” “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Risk Factors” before you make an investment decision.

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that you may want to consider. You should read the entire prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors.” Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” and “Gladstone Investment” refer to Gladstone Investment Corporation; “Adviser” refers to Gladstone Management Corporation; “Administrator” refers to Gladstone Administration, LLC; “Gladstone Commercial” refers to Gladstone Commercial Corporation; “Gladstone Capital” refers to Gladstone Capital Corporation; “Gladstone Land” refers to Gladstone Land Corporation; and “Gladstone Securities” refers to Gladstone Securities, LLC.

General

Investment Adviser and Administrator

We are externally managed by the Adviser, an affiliate of ours, under an investment advisory and management agreement and another of our affiliates, the Administrator, provides administrative services to us pursuant to a contractual agreement. Each of the Adviser and the Administrator are privately-held companies that are indirectly owned and controlled by David Gladstone, our chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Gladstone and Terry Lee Brubaker, our vice chairman and chief operating officer, also serve on the board of directors of the Adviser, the board of managers of the Administrator, and as executive officers of the Adviser and the Administrator. The Administrator employs, among others, our chief financial officer and treasurer, chief valuation officer, chief compliance officer, general counsel and secretary (who also serves as the president, general counsel and secretary of the Administrator) and their respective staffs. The Adviser and Administrator have extensive experience in our lines of business and also provide investment advisory and administrative services, respectively, to our affiliates, including: Gladstone Commercial, a publicly-traded real estate investment trust; Gladstone Capital, a publicly-traded BDC and RIC; and Gladstone Land, a publicly-traded real estate investment trust. In the future, the Adviser and Administrator may provide investment advisory and administrative services, respectively, to other funds and companies, both public and private.

Investment Objectives and Strategy

securities, with individual investments generally totaling up to $40 million, although investment size may vary depending upon our total assets or available capital at the time of investment. We expect that our investment portfolio over time will consist of approximately 75.0% in debt securities and 25.0% in equity securities, at cost. As of June 30, 2021, our investment portfolio was comprised of 74.2% in debt securities and 25.8% in equity securities, at cost.

We focus on investing in lower middle market private businesses (which we generally define as companies with annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $3 million to $20 million) in the U.S. that meet certain criteria, including: the sustainability of the business’ free cash flow and its ability to grow it over time, adequate assets for loan collateral, experienced management teams with a significant ownership interest in the portfolio company, reasonable capitalization of the portfolio company, including an ample equity contribution or cushion based on prevailing enterprise valuation multiples, and the potential to realize appreciation and gain liquidity in our equity position, if any. We anticipate that liquidity in our equity position will be achieved through a merger or acquisition of the portfolio company, a public offering of the portfolio company’s stock or, to a lesser extent, by exercising our right to require the portfolio company to repurchase our warrants, though there can be no assurance that we will always have these rights. We invest in portfolio companies that need funds for growth capital, to finance acquisitions, including management buyouts, recapitalize or, to a lesser extent, refinance their existing debt facilities. We seek to avoid investing in high-risk, early-stage enterprises.

We invest by ourselves or jointly with other funds and/or management of the portfolio company, depending on the opportunity. In July 2012, the SEC granted us an exemptive order (the “Co-Investment Order”) that expanded our ability to co-invest, under certain circumstances, with certain of our affiliates, including Gladstone Capital and any future BDC or closed-end management investment company that is advised (or sub-advised if it controls the fund) by the Adviser, or any combination of the foregoing, subject to the conditions in the Co-Investment Order. Since 2012, we have opportunistically made several co-investments with Gladstone Capital pursuant to the Co-Investment Order. We believe the Co-Investment Order has enhanced and will continue to enhance our ability to further our investment objectives and strategies. If we are participating in an investment with one or more co-investors, whether or not an affiliate of ours, our investment is likely to be smaller than if we were investing alone.

In general, our investments in debt securities have a term of five years, accrue interest at variable rates (based on the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”)) and, to a lesser extent, at fixed rates. As of June 30, 2021, our loan portfolio consisted of 97.7% variable rate loans with floors and 2.3% fixed rate loans, based on the total principal balance of all outstanding debt investments. We seek debt instruments that pay interest monthly or, at a minimum, quarterly, and which may include a yield enhancement such as a success fee or, to a lesser extent, deferred interest provision and are primarily interest only, with all principal and any accrued but unpaid interest due at maturity. Generally, success fees accrue at a set rate and are contractually due upon a change of control of the portfolio company. Some debt securities may have deferred interest whereby some portion of the interest payment is added to the principal balance so that the interest is paid, together with the principal, at maturity. This form of deferred interest is often called “paid-in-kind” (“PIK”) interest. As of June 30, 2021, we did not have any securities with a PIK feature. Typically, our investments in equity securities take the form of common stock, preferred stock, limited liability company interests, or warrants or options to purchase any of the foregoing. Often, these equity investments occur in connection with our original investment, buyouts and recapitalizations of a business, or refinancing existing debt.

From our initial public offering in June 2005 through June 30, 2021, we invested in 54 companies, excluding investments in syndicated loans, for a total of approximately $1.4 billion, before giving effect to principal repayments and divestitures.

We expect that our investment portfolio will continue to primarily include the following three categories of investments in private companies in the U.S.:

•

FEES AND EXPENSES

The information contained under the caption “Fees and Expenses” in Part II. Item 5 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference herein.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial data set forth in the following table as of and for the years ended March 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report thereon is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The financial data set forth in the following table as of and for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are derived from our consolidated financial statements which are not incorporated by reference herein. The financial data set forth in the following table as of and for the three months ended June 30, 2021 is derived from our unaudited financial statements, but in the opinion of management, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are necessary to present fairly the results of such interim period. Interim results as of and for the three months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 2022. You should read these financial highlights in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” incorporated by reference into this prospectus.


	As of and for the Three Months Ended June 30,			As of and for the Year Ended March 31,
	2021			2021			2020			2019			2018			2017			2016			2015			2014			2013			2012
Per Common Share Data:
Net asset value at beginning of period / year^(A)	$	11.52		$	11.17		$	12.40		$	10.85		$	9.95		$	9.22		$	9.18		$	8.34		$	9.10		$	9.38		$	9.00
Income from investment operations^(B)
Net investment (loss) income		(0.07	)		0.54			1.11			0.23			0.68			0.74			0.68			0.75			0.73			0.68			0.62
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and other		0.06			0.32			1.36			2.04			0.04			0.51			(0.15	)		—			0.31			0.03			0.23
Taxes on deemed distributions of long-term capital gains		—			—			(0.31	)		(0.41	)		—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and other		1.43			0.42			(2.38	)		0.63			1.16			0.23			0.29			1.13			(1.09	)		—			0.14

Total from investment operations		1.42			1.28			(0.22	)		2.49			1.88			1.48			0.82			1.88			(0.05	)		0.71			0.99


Effect of equity capital activity^(B)
Cash distributions to common stockholders from net investment income^(C)		(0.20	)		(0.83	)		(0.75	)		(0.69	)		(0.84	)		(0.75	)		(0.64	)		(0.77	)		(0.71	)		(0.60	)		(0.61	)
Cash distributions to common stockholders from realized gains^(C)		(0.07	)		(0.10	)		(0.28	)		(0.24	)		(0.05	)		—			(0.11	)		—			—			—			—
Discounts, commissions, and offering costs		—			—			—			—			(0.03	)		—			(0.01	)		(0.03	)		—			(0.08	)		—
Net accretive (dilutive) effect of equity offering^(D)		—			—			0.01			—			(0.04	)		—			(0.03	)		(0.22	)		—			(0.31	)		—

Total from equity capital activity		(0.27	)		(0.93	)		(1.02	)		(0.93	)		(0.96	)		(0.75	)		(0.79	)		(1.02	)		(0.71	)		(0.99	)		(0.61	)

Other, net^(B)(E)		(0.01	)		—			0.01			(0.01	)		(0.02	)		—			0.01			(0.02	)		—			—			—

Net asset value at end of period / year^(A)	$	12.66		$	11.52		$	11.17		$	12.40		$	10.85		$	9.95		$	9.22		$	9.18		$	8.34		$	9.10		$	9.38


Per common share market value at beginning of period / year	$	12.23		$	7.85		$	11.6		$	10.10		$	9.07		$	7.02		$	7.4		$	8.27		$	7.31		$	7.57		$	7.79


Per common share market value at end of period / year		14.41			12.23			7.85			11.6			10.1			9.07			7.02			7.4			8.27			7.31			7.57
Total investment return^(F)		20.08	%		70.65	%		(26.23	)%		24.95	%		21.82	%		41.58	%		4.82	%		11.96	%		24.26	%		4.73	%		5.58	%
Common stock outstanding at end of period / year^(A)		33,205,023			33,205,023			33,049,463			32,822,459			32,653,635			30,270,958			30,270,958			29,775,958			26,475,958			26,475,958			22,080,133

Statement of Assets and Liabilities Data:
Net assets at end of period / year	$	420,538		$	382,364		$	369,031		$	407,110		$	354,200		$	301,082		$	279,022		$	273,429		$	220,837		$	240,963		$	207,216
Average net assets^(G)		394,470			365,568			404,336			391,786			328,533			294,030			276,293			229,350			231,356			216,751			204,595

Senior Securities Data:
Total borrowings, at cost	$	174,934		$	155,434		$	54,296		$	58,096		$	112,096		$	74,796		$	100,096		$	123,896		$	66,250		$	94,016		$	76,005
Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock^(H)		94,371			94,371			132,250			132,250			139,150			139,150			121,650			81,400			40,000			40,000			40,000

Ratios/Supplemental Data:^(K)
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets^(I)		20.62	%		10.58	%		6.32	%		13.3	%		11.08	%		10.02	%		10.94	%		9.48	%		7.33	%		6.48	%		3.67	%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets^(J)		(2.34	)		4.91			8.99			1.92			6.68			7.63			7.5			8.68			8.35			7.61			6.72

^(A)	Based on actual shares of common stock outstanding at the beginning or end of the corresponding period / year, as appropriate.

^(B)	Based on weighted-average basic common share data for the corresponding period / year.

^(C)

The tax character of distributions is determined based on taxable income calculated in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from amounts determined under GAAP. For further information on the estimated character of our distributions to common stockholders, including changes in estimates, as applicable, refer to Note 9 — Distributions to Common Stockholders in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

^(D)

During the year ended March 31, 2020, the accretive effect is the result of issuing common shares at a price above the then current NAV per share. During the years ended March 31, 2018, 2016, 2015, and 2013, the net dilutive effect is the result of issuing common shares at a price below the then current NAV per share.

^(E)	Represents the impact of the different share amounts (weighted-average basic common shares outstanding for the corresponding period / year and actual common shares outstanding at the end of the period / year) in the Per Common Share Data calculations and rounding impacts.

^(F)

Total return equals the change in the market value of our common stock from the beginning of the period / year, taking into account dividends reinvested in accordance with the terms of our dividend reinvestment plan. Total return does not take into account distributions that may be characterized as a return of capital. For further information on the estimated character of our distributions to common stockholders, including changes in estimates, as applicable, refer to Note 9 — Distributions to Common Stockholders in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

^(G)	Calculated using the average balance of net assets at the end of each month of the reporting period / year.

^(H)	Represents the aggregate liquidation preference of our mandatorily redeemable preferred stock.

^(I)

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets is computed using total expenses, net of any non-contractual, unconditional, and irrevocable credits of fees from the Adviser. Had we not received any non-contractual, unconditional, and irrevocable credits of fees from the Adviser, the ratio of expenses to average net assets - annualized would have been 23.78% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Had we not received any non-contractual, unconditional, and irrevocable credits of fees from the Adviser, the ratio of expenses to average net assets would have been 13.33%, 9.12%, 16.45%, 14.11%, 13.46%, 14.50%, 12.90%, 10.20%, 8.81%, and 5.71% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Had we included Virginia state taxes incurred on the deemed distributions of retained capital gains for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the ratio of net expenses to average net assets would have been 6.89% and 14.07%, respectively.

^(J)

Had we not received any non-contractual, unconditional, and irrevocable credits of fees from the Adviser, the ratio of net investment (loss) income to average net assets—annualized would have been (5.50)% for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Had we not received any non-contractual, unconditional, and irrevocable credits of fees from the Adviser, the ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets would have been 2.16%,6.20%, (1.22)%, 3.66%, 4.19%, 3.94%, 5.26%, 5.48%, 5.28%, and 4.25% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, respectively.

^(K)	Annualized for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in any Securities offered pursuant to this prospectus involves substantial risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference herein from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the other information contained in this prospectus, as updated, amended or superseded by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the risk factors and other information contained in any accompanying prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such Securities. The occurrence of any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow and might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered Securities. Much of the business information, as well as the financial and operational data contained in our risk factors, is updated in our periodic reports filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, which are also incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Although we believe the risk factors described in such documents are the principal risk factors associated with an investment in our Securities as well as those factors generally associated with an investment company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours, please be aware that these are not the only risks we face and there may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently consider not likely to have a significant impact. New risks may emerge at any time and we cannot predict such risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect our business or our financial performance. Please also refer to “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements”.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, other than historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These statements may relate to, among other things, future events or our future operating results, our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies, actual and potential conflicts of interest with the Adviser and its affiliates, the use of borrowed money to finance our investments, the adequacy of our financing sources and working capital, and our ability to co-invest, among other factors. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “believe,” “will,” “provided,” “anticipate,” “future,” “could,” “growth,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “if,” “seek,” “possible,” “potential,” “likely” or the negative or other variations of such terms or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to:

•

changes in the economy and the capital markets;

•

risks associated with negotiation and consummation of pending and future transactions;

•

the loss of one or more of our executive officers, in particular David Gladstone, David Dullum or Terry Lee Brubaker;

•

changes in our investment objectives and strategy;

•

availability, terms (including the possibility of interest rate volatility) and deployment of capital;

•

changes in our industry, interest rates, exchange rates, regulation or the general economy;

•

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

•

the degree and nature of our competition;

•

changes in governmental regulations, tax rates and similar matters;

•

our ability to exit investments in a timely manner;

•

our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC and as a BDC;

•

the impact of COVID-19 generally and on the economy, the capital markets and our portfolio companies, including the measures taken by governmental authorities to address it; and

•

those factors described or incorporated by reference in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from our historical performance. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this prospectus. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports we have filed, or in the future may file, with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in any prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities first to pay down outstanding debt (which may include borrowings under our revolving credit facility with KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent (as amended, the “Credit Facility”)), if any, then to make investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategy, with any remaining proceeds to be used for other general corporate purposes. The Credit Facility matures on February 28, 2026 and advances under the Credit Facility generally bear interest at 30-day LIBOR, subject to a floor of 0.5%, plus 2.85% per annum until February 29, 2024, with the margin then increasing to 3.10% for the period from February 29, 2024 to February 28, 2025, and increasing further to 3.35% thereafter. We intend to re-borrow under our Credit Facility to make investments in portfolio companies in accordance with our investment objectives and strategy depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities and market conditions. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds of any offering of Securities will be utilized in the manner described above within three months of the completion of such offering. Pending such utilization, we intend to invest the net proceeds of any offering of Securities primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment, consistent with the requirements for continued qualification as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. These temporary investments may have lower yields than our other investments and, accordingly, may result in lower distributions, if any, during such period. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds from an offering, pending full investment, are held in lower yielding interest-bearing deposits or other short-term instruments.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

The information contained under the caption “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” in Part II. Item 5 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference herein.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information contained under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II. Item 7 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part I. Item 2 of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are incorporated by reference herein.

SENIOR SECURITIES

The information contained under the caption “Senior Securities” in Part II. Item 5 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference herein.

BUSINESS

The information contained under the caption “Business” in Part I. Item 1 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference herein.

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

The following table sets forth certain information as of June 30, 2021, regarding each portfolio company in which we had a debt or equity security as of such date. All such investments have been made in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies and our investment policies and procedures described in this prospectus. Under the 1940 Act, we may not acquire any non-qualifying assets unless, at the time such acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of our total assets. As of June 30, 2021, our investment in Funko Acquisition Holdings, LLC was considered a non-qualifying asset under Section 55 of the 1940 Act and represented less than 0.1% of total investments, at fair value.


Company	Industry	Investment	Percentage of Class Held on a Fully Diluted Basis			Cost		Fair Value
						(Dollar amounts in thousands) (unaudited)
NON-CONTROL/NON-AFFILIATE INVESTMENTS:
Bassett Creek Restoration, Inc. 8056 186^th St Tinley Park, IL 60487	Diversified/Conglomerate Services	Secured First Lien Term Debt					37,500		37,500
		Preferred Stock		98.0	%		4,900		2,169

							42,400		39,669
Brunswick Bowling Products, Inc. 525 West Laketon Ave. Muskegon, MI 49441	Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products	Secured First Lien Term Debt					17,700		17,700
		Secured First Lien Term Debt					6,850		6,850
		Preferred Stock		85.5	%		6,653		2,186

							31,203		26,736
Counsel Press, Inc. 10 East 40^th St, 5^th Floor New York, NY 10016	Diversified/Conglomerate Services	Secured First Lien Term Debt					21,100		21,100
		Secured First Lien Term Debt					6,400		6,400
		Preferred Stock		87.8	%		6,995		23,489

							34,495		50,989
Country Club Enterprises, LLC 2D Express Drive W. Wareham, MA 02571	Automobile	Secured Second Lien Term Debt					4,000		3,950
		Guaranty					—		—

							4,000		3,950
Diligent Delivery Systems 333 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Suite 100 Houston, TX 77060	Cargo Transport	Secured Second Lien Term Debt					12,974		12,967
		Common Stock Warrants		8.0	%		500		1,579

							13,474		14,546
Educators Resource, Inc. 2575 Schillinger Road North Semmes, AL 36575	Healthcare, Education, and Childcare	Secured First Lien Term Debt					20,000		20,000
		Preferred Stock		61.2	%		8,560		16,398

							28,560		36,398


Funko Acquisition Holdings, LLC 1202 Shuksan Way Everett, WA 98203	Personal and Non-Durable Consumer Products (Manufacturing Only)	Common Stock	0.001	%	31	91

					31	91
Ginsey Home Solutions, Inc. 2078 Center Square Rd Swedesboro, NJ 08085	Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products	Secured Second Lien Term Debt			13,300	13,300
		Preferred Stock	94.9	%	9,583	8,148
		Common Stock	78.5	%	8	—

					22,891	21,448
Horizon Facilities Services, LLC 5235 Oakview Dr. Allentown, PA 18104	Diversified/Conglomerate Service	Secured First Lien Term Debt			27,700	27,700
		Preferred Stock	63.8	%	10,080	7,097

					37,780	34,797
Mason West, LLC 1601 E. Miraloma Ave Placentia, CA 92870	Diversified/Conglomerate Service	Secured First Lien Term Debt			25,250	25,250
		Preferred Stock	48.4	%	11,206	8,883

					36,456	34,133
Nocturne Villa Rentals, Inc. 209 E. Colorado Ave. Suite A Telluride, CO 81435	Hotels, Motels, Inns and Gaming	Secured First Lien Line of Credit			800	800
		Secured First Lien Term Debt			2,850	2,850
		Preferred Stock	87.4	%	6,600	6,600

					10,250	10,250
Phoenix Door Systems, Inc. 6350 Castle Dr. Mason, OH 45040	Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing	Secured First Lien Line of Credit			1,150	1,136
		Secured First Lien Term Debt			3,200	3,160
		Common Stock	25.2	%	1,452	—

					5,802	4,296
SBS Industries Holdings, Inc. 4433 South Dr. Houston, TX 77053	Machinery (Non-agriculture, Non-construction, Nonelectronic)	Secured Second Lien Term Debt			11,736	11,736
		Preferred Stock	94.9	%	2,771	2,574
		Common Stock	70.5	%	222	—

					14,729	14,310


Schylling, Inc. 21 High Street, Suite 400 North Andover, MA 01845	Leisure, Amusement, Motion Pictures, and Entertainment	Secured First Lien Term Debt				13,081		13,081
		Secured First Lien Term Debt				8,500		8,500
		Preferred Stock	72.7	%		4,000		12,181

						25,581		33,762
Total Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments (represents 47.9% of total investments at fair value)					$	307,652	$	325,375

AFFILIATE INVESTMENTS:
B+T Group Acquisition, Inc. 1717 Boulder Ave #300 Tulsa, OK 74119	Telecommunications	Secured First Lien Line of Credit				2,800		2,800
		Secured First Lien Term Debt				14,000		14,000
		Preferred Stock	69.9	%		4,722		9,637
		Common Stock Warrants	3.5	%		—		442

						21,522		26,879
D.P.M.S., Inc. 950 George St. Santa Clara, CA 95054	Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing	Secured First Lien Line of Credit				1,500		1,500
		Secured First Lien Term Debt				10,796		5,841
		Common Stock	40.2	%		1		—

						12,297		7,341
Edge Adhesives Holdings, Inc. 5117 Northeast Pkwy Fort Worth, TX 76106	Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing	Secured First Lien Term Debt				8,310		8,290
		Preferred Stock	47.2	%		8,199		—

						16,509		8,290
ImageWorks Display and Marketing Group, Inc. 415 Wachovia Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101	Diversified/Conglomerate Services	Secured First Lien Term Debt				22,000		22,000
		Preferred Stock	99.9	%		6,749		12,183

						28,749		34,183
J.R. Hobbs Co.—Atlanta, LLC 2021 Cedars Rd., Suite 100 Lawrenceville, GA 30043	Diversified/Conglomerate Services	Secured First Lien Term Debt				36,000		36,000
		Secured First Lien Term Debt				16,500		16,500
		Preferred Stock	96.2	%		10,920		—

						63,420		52,500
The Maids International, LLC. 9394 West Dodge Rd, Suite 140 Omaha, NE 68114	Diversified/Conglomerate Services	Secured First Lien Term Debt				28,560		28,560
		Preferred Stock	78.7	%		6,640		2,741

						35,200		31,301


The Mountain Corporation 59 Optical Ave. Keene, NH 03431	Personal and Non-Durable Consumer Products (Manufacturing Only)	Secured First Lien Line of Credit				3,400		3,400
		Secured First Lien Line of Credit				400		400
		Secured Second Lien Term Debt				11,700		1,853
		Secured Second Lien Delayed Draw Term Debt				1,500		238
		Preferred Stock	67.2	%		6,899		—
		Common Stock	77.2	%		1		—

						23,900		5,891
Nth Degree Investment Group, LLC 3237 Satellite Blvd, Building 300, Suite 600 Duluth, GA 30096	Diversified/Conglomerate Service	Common Stock	11.9	%		1,219		—

						1,219		—
Old World Christmas, Inc. PO Box 8000 Spokane, WA 99203	Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products	Secured First Lien Term Debt				27,000		27,000
		Preferred Stock	85.3	%		—		28,898

						27,000		55,898
Pioneer Square Brands, Inc. 321 3rd Ave, Suite 40 Seattle, WA 98104	Personal and Non-Durable Consumer Products (Manufacturing Only)	Secured First Lien Term Debt				23,100		23,100
		Preferred Stock	60.0	%		5,500		30,708

						28,600		53,808
PSI Molded Plastic, Inc. 5 Wickers Drive Wolfeboro, NH 03894	Chemicals, Plastics, and Rubber	Secured First Lien Term Debt				26,618		26,618
		Preferred Stock	99.8	%		19,730		—

						46,348		26,618
SOG Specialty Knives & Tools, LLC 6521 212th St. SW Lynnwood, WA 98036	Leisure, Amusement, Motion Pictures, and Entertainment	Secured First Lien Term Debt				538		538
		Secured First Lien Term Debt				8,399		8,399
		Preferred Stock	78.9	%		14,949		12,539

						23,886		21,476
Total Affiliate Investments (represents 47.8% of total investments at fair value)					$	328,650	$	324,185


CONTROL INVESTMENTS:
Galaxy Tool Holding Corporation 1111 Industrial Rd. Winfield, KS 67156	Aerospace and Defense	Secured Second Lien Line of Credit			$	5,000	$	5,000
		Secured Second Lien Term Debt				8,000		8,000
		Preferred Stock	86.1	%		11,464		16,034
		Common Stock	56.9	%		48		—

						24,512		29,034

Total Control Investments (represents 4.3% of total investments at fair value)					$	24,512	$	29,034

TOTAL INVESTMENTS					$	660,814	$	678,594

Certain Portfolio Companies

Set forth below is a brief description of each portfolio company in which we have made an investment whose fair value represented greater than 5% of our total assets as of June 30, 2021. Because of the relative size of our investments in these companies, we are exposed to a greater degree to the risks associated with these companies.

Bassett Creek Services, Inc. (“Bassett Creek”)

Our investments in Bassett Creek had an aggregate fair value of $39.7 million as of June 30, 2021 and included $4.9 million of preferred stock, at cost, and a secured first lien term loan with a principal amount outstanding of $37.5 million, which matures on April 4, 2023.

Bassett Creek is a platform for acquiring and integrating restoration and renovation services companies across the United States. To date, Bassett Creek has acquired four companies in the industry and built a corporate office to integrate and grow these businesses. Bassett Creek services residential and commercial properties on behalf of property owners, property managers, and insurance companies.

Our Adviser has entered into a services agreement with Bassett Creek, pursuant to which our Adviser has agreed to advise and provide certain management and consulting services as mutually agreed upon by Bassett Creek and our Adviser.

Because of the relative size of this investment, we are exposed to the risks associated with Bassett Creek’s business. Bassett Creek’s business is dependent on both everyday and catastrophic weather conditions than lead to demand for Bassett Creek’s services, and periods of mild weather can cause a decline in restoration spending which would have a negative impact on Bassett Creek’s ability to win new business. Additionally, the death, disability or departure by one or more of Bassett Creek’s senior managers could have a negative impact on its business and operations.

One of our Adviser’s managing directors, Peter Roushdy, serves as a director of Bassett Creek’s board. Bassett Creek’s principal executive office is located at 2654 Corporate Boulevard, Algonquin, Illinois 60102.

Counsel Press Inc. (“Counsel Press”)

Our investments in Counsel Press had an aggregate fair value of $51.0 million as of June 30, 2021 and included $7.0 million of preferred stock, at cost, and two secured first lien term loans with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of $27.5 million, which mature on March 31, 2023.

Counsel Press, headquartered in New York, New York, supports appellate attorneys and their clients pursuing appeals in courts across the U.S. The company provides document preparation, procedural and technical advice, and a full range of traditional printing and electronic filing services. Once engaged by a customer, Counsel Press organizes, prepares, and files appellate briefs, records and appendices.

Our Adviser has entered into a services agreement with Counsel Press, pursuant to which our Adviser has agreed to advise and provide certain management and consulting services as mutually agreed upon by Counsel Press and our Adviser.

Because of the relative size of this investment, we are exposed to the risks associated with Counsel Press’ business. Counsel Press’ business is dependent on the continued volume of appeals filed in the U.S. and the complexity of the rules for making such filings. Additionally, the death, disability or departure by one or more of Counsel Press’ senior managers could have a negative impact on its business and operations.

One of our Adviser’s managing directors, Erika Highland, serves as a director of Counsel Press’ board. Counsel Press’ principal executive office is located at 10 East 40^th St., 5^th Floor, New York, New York 10016.

Educators Resource, Inc. (“Educators Resource”)

Our investments in Educators Resource had an aggregate fair value of $36.4 million as of June 30, 2021 and included $8.6 million of preferred stock, at cost, and a secured first lien term loan with a principal amount outstanding of $20.0 million, which matures on November 30, 2023.

Educators Resource is a leading wholesale distributor of school supplies and K-12 supplemental teaching materials to market leading e-retailers and brick-and-mortar stores nationwide. By supplying more than 20,000 educational SKUs, Educators Resource is a one-stop shop for school supplies for school districts, teachers, and parents nationwide.

Our Adviser has entered into a services agreement with Educators Resource, pursuant to which our Adviser has agreed to advise and provide certain management and consulting services as mutually agreed upon by Educators Resource and our Adviser.

Because of the relative size of this investment, we are exposed to the risks associated with Educators Resource’s business. Educators Resource’s business is dependent on ample supply of educational products from its vendors and labor availability for fulfilling orders in the warehouse. Additionally, the death, disability or departure by one or more of Educators Resource’s senior managers could have a negative impact on its business and operations.

One of the Adviser’s managing directors, Peter Roushdy, serves as a director of Educators Resource’s board. Educators Resource’s principal executive office is located at 2575 Schillinger Rd N, Semmes, Alabama 36575.

J.R. Hobbs Co. – Atlanta, LLC (“J.R. Hobbs”)

Our investments in J.R. Hobbs had an aggregate fair value of $52.5 million as of June 30, 2021 and included $10.9 million of preferred stock, at cost, and two secured first lien term loans with an aggregate principal amount outstanding of $52.5 million, which mature on October 1, 2024.

Founded in 1971, J.R. Hobbs is an HVAC installation subcontractor focused on the multifamily and light commercial construction market in the Southeast U.S. Based in Lawrenceville, Georgia, it provides general contractors, building owners, and developers with engineered HVAC solutions for their properties. Through its technical salesforce, rigorous pre-construction procedures, experienced team of senior field personnel, and decades of experience in the multi-family sector, J.R. Hobbs is a full-service HVAC subcontractor to its customers across the Southeast.

Our Adviser has entered into a services agreement with J.R. Hobbs, pursuant to which our Adviser has agreed to advise and provide certain management and consulting services as mutually agreed upon by J.R. Hobbs and our Adviser.

Because of the relative size of this investment, we are exposed to the risks associated with J.R. Hobbs’s business. J.R. Hobbs’ business is dependent on construction of multi-family buildings in the Southeast, and a decline in construction spending would have a negative impact on J.R. Hobbs’ ability to win new business. Additionally, the death, disability or departure by one or more of J.R. Hobbs’s senior managers could have a negative impact on its business and operations.

One of our Adviser’s managing directors, Peter Roushdy, serves as a director of J.R. Hobbs’s board. J.R. Hobbs’s principal executive office is located at 2021 Cedars Rd., Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043.

Old World Christmas, Inc. (“Old World”)

Our investments in Old World had an aggregate fair value of $55.9 million as of June 30, 2021 and included $0.0 million of preferred stock, at cost, and a secured first lien term loan with a principal amount outstanding of $27.0 million, which matures on December 17, 2025.

Old World, headquartered in Spokane, Washington, is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of premium figural glass Christmas ornaments.

Our Adviser has entered into a services agreement with Old World, pursuant to which our Adviser has agreed to advise and provide certain management and consulting services as mutually agreed upon by Old World and our Adviser.

Because of the relative size of this investment, we are exposed to the risks associated with Old World’s business. Old World’s business is largely dependent on sales in physical retail stores within the United States, and the continued decline of physical retail could have a negative impact on Old World’s financial performance. Additionally, the death, disability or departure by one or more of Old World’s senior managers could have a negative impact on its business and operations.

One of our Adviser’s managing directors, Kyle Largent, and one of the Adviser’s principals, Travis Steele, serve as a directors of Old World’s board. Old World’s principal executive office is located at 4007 East Main Ave., Spokane, Washington 99202.

Pioneer Square Brands, Inc. (“Pioneer”)

Our investments in Pioneer had an aggregate fair value of $53.8 million as of June 30, 2021 and included $5.5 million of preferred stock, at cost, and a secured first lien term loan with a principal amount outstanding of $23.1 million, which matures on August 25, 2022.

Pioneer, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of premium mobile technology bags and cases serving a diverse customer base, primarily in the K-12 education sector.

Our Adviser has entered into a services agreement with Pioneer, pursuant to which our Adviser has agreed to advise and provide certain management and consulting services as mutually agreed upon by Pioneer and our Adviser.

Because of the relative size of this investment, we are exposed to the risks associated with Pioneer’s business. Pioneer’s business is dependent on the continued adoption of electronic devices in K-12 curricula in the U.S., and a decline in the use of such devices would have a negative impact on Pioneer’s financial performance. Additionally, the death, disability or departure by one or more of Pioneer’s senior managers could have a negative impact on its business and operations.

One of our Adviser’s managing directors, Kyle Largent, serves as a director of Pioneer’s board. Pioneer’s principal executive office is located at 321 3rd Ave., Seattle, Washington 98104.

MANAGEMENT

The information contained under the captions “Proposal 1—Election of Directors,” “Information Regarding the Board of Directors and Corporate Governance,” “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation For Fiscal Year 2021” and “Certain Transactions” in our most recent Definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders and “Business” in Part I. Item 1 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference herein.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

We are externally managed by our Adviser, an affiliate of ours, under the Advisory Agreement and another of our affiliates, the Administrator, provides administrative services to us pursuant to the Administration Agreement. Each of the Adviser and Administrator are privately-held companies that are indirectly owned and controlled by David Gladstone, our chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Gladstone and Terry Lee Brubaker, our vice chairman and chief operating officer, also serve on the board of directors of the Adviser, the board of managers of the Administrator, and serve as executive officers of the Adviser and the Administrator. Our Adviser directly employs personnel that manage our portfolio investments and directly pays our payroll, benefits and general expenses regarding such personnel. The Administrator employs, among others, our chief financial officer and treasurer, chief valuation officer, chief compliance officer, general counsel and secretary (who also serves as the president of the Administrator) and their respective staffs. In addition to the fees payable under the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement (as described below), we pay our direct expenses, including directors’ fees, legal and accounting fees and stockholder related expenses. The Adviser and Administrator have extensive experience in our lines of business and also provide investment advisory and administrative services, respectively, to our affiliates, including the Affiliated Public Funds. In the future, the Adviser and Administrator may provide investment advisory and administrative services, respectively, to other funds and companies, both public and private.

The principal executive office of the Adviser and Administrator is 1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100, McLean, Virginia 22102.

Management Services Provided to Us by our Adviser

Our Adviser is a Delaware corporation registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Subject to the overall supervision of our Board of Directors, our Adviser provides investment advisory and management services to us. Under the terms of our Advisory Agreement, our Adviser has investment discretion with respect to our capital and, in that regard:

•

determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio, and the manner of implementing such changes;

•

identifies, evaluates, and negotiates the structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies);

•

closes and monitors the investments we make; and

•

makes available on our behalf, and provides if requested, managerial assistance to our portfolio companies.

Our Adviser’s services under the Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities, provided that its services to us are not impaired.

Portfolio Management

Our Adviser takes a team approach to portfolio management; however, the following persons are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of our portfolio and comprise our Adviser’s investment committee: David Gladstone, Terry Lee Brubaker and David Dullum, whom we refer to collectively as the Portfolio Managers. Our investment decisions are made on our behalf by the investment committee of our Adviser by unanimous decision.

Mr. Gladstone has served as the chairman and the chief executive officer of the Adviser, since he founded the Adviser in 2002 and on the board of managers of the Administrator since it was founded in 2005. Mr. Brubaker has served as the vice chairman and chief operating officer of the Adviser since 2002 and on the board of managers of the Administrator since 2005. Mr. Dullum has served as an executive managing director of the Adviser since 2008. For more complete biographical information of Messrs. Gladstone, Brubaker and Dullum, see “Proposal 1—Election of Directors” in our most recent Definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders which is incorporated by reference herein.

As discussed above, the Portfolio Managers are all officers or directors, or both, of our Adviser, and Messrs. Gladstone and Brubaker are managers of the Administrator. Mr. Gladstone is also the controlling stockholder of the parent company of the Adviser and the Administrator. Although we believe that the terms of the Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement are no less favorable to us than those that could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties in arms’ length transactions, our Adviser and Administrator and their officers and its directors have a material interest in the terms of these agreement.

Our Adviser and Administrator provide investment advisory and administration services, respectively, to the other Affiliated Public Funds. As such, certain of our Portfolio Managers also are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portfolios of other pooled investment vehicles in the Affiliated Public Funds that are managed by the Adviser. As of the date hereof, Messrs. Gladstone, Brubaker and Robert Marcotte (the president of Gladstone Capital and an executive managing director of the Adviser) are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portfolio of Gladstone Capital, another publicly-traded BDC; Messrs. Gladstone, Brubaker and Robert Cutlip (the president of Gladstone Commercial and an executive managing director of the Adviser) are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of Gladstone Commercial, a publicly-traded real estate investment trust; and Messrs. Gladstone and Brubaker are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of Gladstone Land, a publicly traded real estate investment trust. As of June 30, 2021, the Adviser had an aggregate of approximately $3.5 billion in total assets under management in the Company and the Affiliated Public Funds, all of which is subject to performance-based advisory fees and for which Messrs. Gladstone and Brubaker are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management.

Conflicts of Interest

As discussed above, the Portfolio Managers who are our executive officers and directors, and the officers and directors of the Adviser, serve or may serve as officers, directors, or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. For example, Mr. Gladstone, our chairman and chief executive officer, is chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Adviser, the Administrator and the Affiliated Public Funds. In addition, Mr. Brubaker, our vice chairman and chief operating officer, is vice chairman and chief operating officer of the Adviser, the Administrator and the Affiliated Public Funds. Mr. Dullum, our president, is an executive managing director of the Adviser. Moreover, the Adviser may establish or sponsor other investment vehicles which from time to time may have potentially overlapping investment objectives with ours and accordingly may invest in, whether principally or secondarily, asset classes we target. While the Adviser generally has broad authority to make investments on behalf of the investment vehicles that it advises, the Adviser has adopted investment allocation procedures to address these potential conflicts and intends to direct investment opportunities to the Company or the Affiliated Public Fund with the investment strategy that most closely fits the investment opportunity. Nevertheless, the management of the Adviser may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities to other entities managed by the Adviser. As a result, it is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by other funds managed by the Adviser.

In certain circumstances, we may make investments in a portfolio company in which one of our affiliates has or will have an investment, subject to satisfaction of any regulatory restrictions and, where required, the prior approval of our Board of Directors. As of June 30, 2021, our Board of Directors has approved the following types of transactions:

•

Our affiliate, Gladstone Commercial, may, under certain circumstances, lease property to portfolio companies that we do not control. We may pursue such transactions only if (i) the portfolio company is not controlled by us or any of our affiliates, (ii) the portfolio company satisfies the tenant underwriting criteria of Gladstone Commercial, and (iii) the transaction is approved by a majority of our independent directors and a majority of the independent directors of Gladstone Commercial. We expect that any such negotiations between Gladstone Commercial and our portfolio companies would result in lease terms consistent with the terms that the portfolio companies would be likely to receive were they not portfolio companies of ours.

•

We may invest simultaneously with our affiliate Gladstone Capital in senior loans in the broadly syndicated market whereby neither we nor any affiliate has the ability to dictate the terms of the loans.

•

Pursuant to the Co-Investment Order, under certain circumstances, we may co-invest with Gladstone Capital and any future BDC or closed-end management investment company that is advised by the Adviser (or sub-advised by the Adviser if it controls the fund) or any combination of the foregoing subject to the conditions included therein.

Certain of our officers, who are also officers of the Adviser, may from time to time serve as directors of certain of our portfolio companies. If an officer serves in such capacity with one of our portfolio companies, such officer will owe fiduciary duties to stockholders of the portfolio company, which duties may from time to time conflict with the interests of our stockholders.

In the course of our investing activities, we will pay management and incentive fees to the Adviser and will reimburse the Administrator for certain expenses it incurs. As a result, investors in our common stock will invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than one might achieve through our investors themselves making direct investments. As a result of this arrangement, there may be times when the management team of the Adviser has interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict. In addition, as a BDC, we make available significant managerial assistance to our portfolio companies and provide other services to such portfolio companies. While neither we nor the Adviser currently receive fees in connection with managerial assistance, the Adviser and Gladstone Securities have, at various times, provided other services to certain of our portfolio companies and received fees for services other than managerial assistance as discussed in “Business— Ongoing Management of Investments and Portfolio Company Relationships — Managerial Assistance and Services” in Part I, Item 1 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

The Portfolio Managers receive compensation from our Adviser in the form of a base salary plus a bonus. Each Portfolio Manager’s base salary is determined by a review of salary surveys for persons with comparable experience who are serving in comparable capacities in the industry. Each Portfolio Manager’s base salary is set and reviewed yearly. Like all employees of the Adviser, a Portfolio Manager’s bonus is tied to the post-tax performance of the Adviser and the entities that it advises. A Portfolio Manager’s bonus increases or decreases when the Adviser’s income increases or decreases. The Adviser’s income, in turn, is directly tied to the management and incentive fees earned in managing its investment funds, including Gladstone Investment. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser receives a base management fee and an incentive fee based on net investment income in excess of the hurdle rates and capital gains as set out in the Advisory Agreement. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, we incurred net fees of approximately $17.9 million, $5.3 million and $22.3 million, respectively, to our Adviser under the Advisory Agreement. See “Business – Transactions with Related Parties – Investment Advisory and Management Agreement” in Part I, Item 1 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for a full discussion of how such fees are computed and paid. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Directors approving the Advisory Agreement is available in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

Portfolio Manager Beneficial Ownership

The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2021, the dollar range of equity securities that are beneficially owned by each of our Portfolio Managers.


Name		Dollar Range of Equity Securities of the Company Owned by Directors (1)(2)
David Gladstone		Over $1,000,000
Terry Lee Brubaker		Over $1,000,000
David A.R. Dullum		Over $1,000,000

(1)	Ownership is calculated in accordance with Rule 16-1(a)(2) of the Exchange Act.

(2)	The dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned is calculated by multiplying the closing price of the respective class as reported on Nasdaq as of March 31, 2021, times the number of shares of the respective class so beneficially owned and aggregated accordingly.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The information contained under the captions “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in our most recent Definitive Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated by reference herein.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

Our transfer agency and services agreement with our transfer agent, Computershare, Inc. (“Computershare”), authorizes Computershare to provide a dividend reinvestment plan that allows for reinvestment of our distributions on behalf of our common stockholders upon their election as provided below. As a result, if our Board of Directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our common stockholders who have “opted in” to the dividend reinvestment plan will not receive cash dividends but, instead, such cash dividends will automatically be reinvested in additional shares of our common stock.

Pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan, if your shares of our common stock are registered in your own name you can have all distributions reinvested in additional shares of our common stock by Computershare, as the plan agent, if you enroll in the dividend reinvestment plan by delivering an enrollment form to the plan agent prior to the corresponding dividend record date, available at www.computershare.com/investor. The plan agent will effect purchases of our common stock under the dividend reinvestment plan in the open market.

If you do not elect to participate in the dividend reinvestment plan, you will receive all distributions in cash paid by check mailed directly to you (or if you hold your shares in street or other nominee name, then to your nominee) as of the relevant record date, by the plan agent, as our distribution disbursing agent. If your shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee, you can transfer the shares into your own name and then enroll in the dividend reinvestment plan or contact your broker or nominee to determine if they offer a dividend reinvestment plan.

The plan agent serves as agent for the holders of our common stock in administering the dividend reinvestment plan. After we declare a dividend, the plan agent will, as agent for the participants, receive the cash payment and use it to buy common stock on Nasdaq or elsewhere for the participants’ accounts. The price of the shares will be the weighted average price of all shares purchased by the plan agent on such trade date or dates.

Stockholders can obtain additional information about, and participants in the dividend reinvestment plan may withdraw from, the dividend reinvestment plan at any time by contacting Computershare online at www.computershare.com/investor, via telephone at (781) 575-2000 or by mailing a request to 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021 or by selling or transferring all applicable shares. If the plan agent receives a request to withdraw near a dividend record date, the plan agent, in its sole discretion, may either distribute such dividends in cash or reinvest the shares on behalf of the withdrawing participant. If such dividends are reinvested, the plan agent will process the withdrawal as soon as practicable, but in no event later than five business days after the reinvestment is completed.

The plan agent will maintain each participant’s account in the dividend reinvestment plan and will furnish periodic written confirmations of all transactions in such account, including information needed by the stockholder for personal and tax records. Common stock in the account of each dividend reinvestment plan participant will be held by the plan agent in non-certificated form in the name of such participant; however participants may request that such shares be certificated in their name. The plan agent will provide proxy materials relating to our stockholders’ meetings that will include those shares purchased through the plan agent, as well as shares held pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan.

We pay the plan agent’s fees for the handling or reinvestment of dividends and other distributions. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan agent prior to termination of his or her account to have the plan agent sell part or all of the shares held by the plan agent in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan agent is authorized to deduct a transaction fee of $15.00 for each batch order sale and $25.00 for each market order, day limit order and good-til-canceled limit order sale, plus brokerage commissions of $0.10 per share, from the proceeds. The participants in the dividend reinvestment plan will also bear a transaction fee of up to $5.00, plus per share brokerage commissions of $0.10, incurred with respect to open market purchases.

Distributions are taxable whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares, and the reinvestment of distributions pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan will not relieve participants of any U.S. federal income tax or state income tax that may be payable or required to be withheld on such distributions. For more information regarding taxes that our stockholders may be required to pay, see “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following discussion is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us, to our qualification and taxation as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Subchapter M of the Code and to an investment in our common stock. This discussion applies only to beneficial owners that acquired our shares in an initial offering.

This summary does not purport to be a complete description of all the income tax considerations applicable to an investment in our common stock. In particular, this discussion does not address certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for its securities holdings, pension plans and trusts, financial institutions, real estate investment trusts, RICs, banks and other financial institutions, stockholders that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, U.S. persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, non-U.S. stockholders (as defined below) engaged in a trade or business in the United States or entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty, persons who have ceased to be U.S. citizens or to be taxed as residents of the United States, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and persons that will hold our common stock as a position in a “straddle,” “hedge” or as part of a “constructive sale” for U.S. federal income tax purposes or to the owners or partners of a stockholder. If we issue preferred stock that may be convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for securities or other property or preferred stock with other terms that may have different U.S. federal income tax consequences that those described in this summary, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of that preferred stock will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. This summary assumes that investors hold our common stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code). The discussion is based upon the Code, its legislative history, existing and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations and published rulings and court decisions all as currently in effect, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought, and do not expect to seek, any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding any matter discussed herein, and this discussion is not binding on the IRS. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert, and a court will not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences discussed herein. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invest in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets. For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

•

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

•

a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

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a trust, if a court within the United States has primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons (as defined in the Code) have the authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or if the trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

•

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. stockholder” is a beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a U.S. stockholder.

Tax matters are complicated, and the tax consequences of an investment in our common stock will depend on the facts of a stockholder’s particular situation. Holders of our common stock are strongly encouraged to consult their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock, as well as the effect of state, local and foreign tax laws, and the effect of any possible changes in tax laws.

Election to be Taxed as a RIC

We have elected to be treated, and intend to operate in a manner so as to continuously qualify annually thereafter, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally do not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we timely distribute (or are deemed to timely distribute) to our stockholders as dividends. Instead, dividends we distribute (or are deemed to timely distribute) generally are taxable to the holders of our common stock, and any net operating losses, foreign tax credits and most other tax attributes generally will not pass through to the holders of our common stock. We will be subject to U.S. federal corporate-level income tax on any undistributed income and gains. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (which generally is our net ordinary

taxable income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, determined without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”) for any taxable year. The following discussion assumes that we continue to qualify as a RIC.

Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company

If we (1) qualify as a RIC and (2) satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, then we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain (realized net long-term capital gain in excess of realized net short term capital loss) that we timely distribute (or are deemed to timely distribute) to our stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on any income or capital gains not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.

If we fail to distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, in the preceding years (to the extent that income tax was not imposed on those amounts) less certain over-distributions in prior years (together, the “Excise Tax Distribution Requirements”), we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax on the portion of the undistributed amounts of that income that are less than the amounts required to be distributed based on the Excise Tax Distribution Requirements. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by us that is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending in that calendar year will be considered to have been distributed by year-end (or earlier if estimated taxes are paid). We currently intend to make sufficient distributions each taxable year to satisfy the Excise Tax Distribution Requirements.

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Subchapter M of the Code, we must, among other things:

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continue to qualify and have in effect an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;

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derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from (a) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock, securities, foreign currencies, or other income (including certain deemed inclusions) derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock, securities, foreign currencies or other income, or (b) or net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (“QPTP”) (collectively, the “90% Gross Income Test”); and

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diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

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at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, if those other securities, with respect to any one issuer, do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and

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no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of (i) one issuer, (ii) two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under the Code, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses, or (iii) one or more QPTPs (collectively, the “Diversification Tests”).

We have an “opt-in” dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”). The tax consequences of participating in the DRIP are discussed below.

We may have investments that require income to be included in investment company taxable income in a year prior to the year in which we actually receive a corresponding amount of cash in respect of that income. For example, if we hold corporate stock with respect to which Section 305 of the Code requires inclusion in income of amounts of deemed dividends even if no cash distribution is made, we must include in our taxable income in each year the full amount of our applicable share of our allocable share of these deemed dividends. Additionally, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable U.S. federal income tax rules as having original issue discount (“OID”) (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, that have increasing interest rates or are issued with warrants), we must include in our taxable income in each year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether we receive cash representing that income in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in our taxable income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as accruals on a contingent payment debt instrument or deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock.

A RIC is limited in its ability to deduct expenses in excess of its investment company taxable income. If our deductible expenses in a given year exceed our investment company taxable income, we will have a net operating loss for that year. A RIC is not able to offset its investment company taxable income with net operating losses on either a carryforward or carryback basis, and net operating losses generally will not pass through to holders of our common stock. In addition, expenses can be used only to offset investment company taxable income, and may not be used to offset net capital gain. A RIC may not use any net capital losses (i.e., realized capital losses in excess of realized capital gains) to offset the RIC’s investment company taxable income, but may carry forward those losses, and use them to offset future capital gains, indefinitely. Further, a RIC’s deduction of net business interest expense is limited to 30% of its “adjusted taxable income” plus “floor plan financing interest expense.” It is not expected that any portion of any underwriting or similar fee will be deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes to us or the holders of our common stock. Due to these limits on the deductibility of expenses, net capital losses and business interest expenses, we may, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, have aggregate taxable income for several years that we are required to distribute and that is taxable to stockholders even if this income is greater than the aggregate net income we actually earned during those years.

In order to enable us to make distributions to the holders of our common stock that will be sufficient to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Distribution Requirements in the event that the circumstances described in the preceding two paragraphs apply, we may need to liquidate or sell some of our assets at times or at prices that we would not consider advantageous, we may need to raise additional equity or debt capital, we may need to take out loans, or we may need to forego new investment opportunities or otherwise take actions that are disadvantageous to our business (or be unable to take actions that are advantageous to our business). Even if we are authorized to borrow and to sell assets in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Distribution Requirements, under the 1940 Act, we generally are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests or other financial covenants are met. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to enable us to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we may fail to qualify for the U.S. federal income tax benefits allowable to RICs and, thus, become subject to a corporate-level U.S. federal income tax (and any applicable state and local taxes). If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources to enable us to satisfy the Excise Tax Distribution Requirements, we may be subject to an additional tax. However, no assurances can be given that we will not be subject to the excise tax, and we may choose in certain circumstances to pay the excise tax as opposed to making an additional distribution.

For the purpose of determining whether we satisfy the 90% Gross Income Test and the Diversification Tests, the character of our distributive share of items of income, gain, losses, deductions and credits derived through any investments in companies that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (other than certain publicly traded partnerships), or are otherwise treated as disregarded from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally will be determined as if we realized these tax items directly. Further, for purposes of calculating the value of our investment in the securities of an issuer for purposes of determining the 25% requirement of the Diversification Tests, our proper proportion of any investment in the securities of that issuer that are held by a member of our “controlled group” must be aggregated with our investment in that issuer. A controlled group is one or more chains of corporations connected through stock ownership with us if (a) at least 20% of the total combined voting power of all classes of voting stock of each of the corporations is owned directly by one or more of the other corporations, and (b) we directly own at least 20% or more of the combined voting stock of at least one of the other corporations.

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

If we, otherwise qualifying as a RIC, fail to satisfy the 90% Gross Income Test for any taxable year or the Diversification Tests for any quarter of a taxable year, we might nevertheless continue to qualify as a RIC for that year if certain relief provisions of the Code apply (which might, among other things, require us to pay certain corporate-level U.S. federal taxes or to dispose of certain assets). If we fail to qualify as a RIC for more than two consecutive taxable years and then seek to re-qualify as a RIC, we generally would be required to recognize gain to the extent of any unrealized appreciation in our assets unless we elect to pay U.S. corporate income tax on any unrealized appreciation during the succeeding 5-year period.

If we fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC in any taxable year and are not eligible for the relief provisions, we would be subject to U.S. federal income tax on all of our taxable income at the regular corporate U.S. federal income tax rate and would be subject to any applicable state and local taxes, regardless of whether we make any distributions to the holders of our common stock. Additionally, we would not be able to deduct distributions to our stockholders, nor would distributions to the holders of our common stock be required to be made for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Any distributions we make generally would be taxable to the holders of our common stock as ordinary dividend income and, subject to certain limitations under the Code, would be eligible for the current maximum rate applicable to qualifying dividend income of individuals and other non-corporate U.S. stockholders, to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, U.S. stockholders of our common stock that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares of our common stock, and any remaining distributions would be treated as capital gain.

Although we expect to operate in a manner so as to qualify continuously as a RIC, we may decide in the future to be taxed as a “C” corporation, even if we would otherwise qualify as a RIC, if we determine that treatment as a C corporation for a particular year would be in our best interests. The remainder of this discussion assumes that we will continuously qualify as a RIC for each taxable year.

Our Investments—General

Certain of our investment practices may be subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as non-qualified dividend income, (2) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (3) convert lower-taxed long-term capital gain into higher-taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary income, (4) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (5) cause us to recognize income or gain without receipt of a corresponding cash payment, (6) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (7) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (8) produce income that will not be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Gross Income Test. We intend to monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the effects of these provisions; however, no assurances can be given that we will be eligible for any of those tax elections or that any elections we make will fully mitigate the effects of these provisions.

Gain or loss recognized by us from securities and other financial assets acquired by us, as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of options, warrants, or other financial assets taxed as options, generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. The gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term depending on how long we held a particular security or other financial asset. However, gain on the lapse of an option issued by us will be treated as short-term capital gain.

A portfolio company in which we invest may face financial difficulties that require us to work-out, modify or otherwise restructure our investment in the portfolio company. Any such transaction could, depending upon the specific terms of the transaction, cause us to recognize taxable income without a corresponding receipt of cash, which could affect our ability to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Distribution Requirements or result in unusable capital losses and future non-cash income. Any such transaction could also result in us receiving assets that give rise to non-qualifying income for purposes of the 90% Gross Income Test.

Our investment in non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. income, withholding and other taxes. Stockholders generally will not be entitled to claim a U.S. foreign tax credit or deduction with respect to non-U.S. taxes paid by us.

If we purchase shares in a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”), we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” received on, or any gain from the disposition of, such shares even if we distribute that income as a taxable dividend to the holders of our common stock. Additional charges in the nature of interest generally will be imposed on us in respect of deferred taxes arising from any such excess distribution or gain. If we invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code (a “QEF”), in lieu of the foregoing requirements, we will be required to include in income each year our proportionate share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if that income is not distributed by the QEF. Any required inclusions from the QEF election will be considered “good income” for purposes of the 90% Gross Income Test. Alternatively, we may be able to elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year our shares in a PFIC; in this case, we will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of those shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent that any such decrease does not exceed prior increases included in our income. Our ability to make either election will depend on factors beyond our control, and is subject to restrictions which may limit the availability of the benefit of these elections. Under either election, we may be required to recognize in a year income in excess of any distributions we receive from PFICs and any proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and that income will nevertheless be subject to the Annual Distribution Requirement and will be taken into account for purposes of determining whether we satisfy the Excise Tax Distribution Requirements. See “— Taxation as a Regulated Investment Company” above.

Our functional currency is the U.S. dollar for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time we accrue income, expenses or other liabilities denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar and the time we actually collect that income or pay that expense or liability are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency forward contracts, the disposition of debt denominated in a foreign currency, and other financial transactions denominated in a foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

The following discussion applies only to U.S. stockholders. If you are not a U.S. stockholder, this section does not apply to you. Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our investment

company taxable income, determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. To the extent the distributions we pay to non-corporate U.S. stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, those distributions (“Qualifying Dividends”) generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders at the preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains. However, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the preferential rates applicable to Qualifying Dividends or the dividends-received deduction available to corporations under the Code. Distributions of our net capital gains (which generally are our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) that are properly reported by us as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable to a U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gains that are currently taxable at reduced rates in the case of non-corporate taxpayers, regardless of the U.S. stockholder’s holding period for his, her or its common stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the U.S. stockholder’s common stock and, after the adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the U.S. stockholder.

A portion of our ordinary income dividends paid to corporate U.S. stockholders may, if certain conditions are met, qualify for the 50% dividends-received deduction to the extent we have received dividends from certain corporations during the taxable year, but only to the extent these ordinary income dividends are treated as paid out of our earnings and profits. We expect only a small portion of our dividends to qualify for this deduction. A corporate U.S. stockholders may be required to reduce its basis in its common stock with respect to certain “extraordinary dividends,” as defined in Section 1059 of the Code. Corporate U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors in determining the application of these rules in their particular circumstances.

U.S. stockholders who have elected to participate in our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving cash dividends and distributions. Any dividends or distributions reinvested under the plan will nevertheless remain taxable to U.S. stockholders. A U.S. stockholder will have an adjusted basis in the additional common stock purchased through the plan equal to the dollar amount that would have been received if the U.S. stockholder had received the dividend or distribution in cash, unless we were to issue new shares that are trading at or above net asset value, in which case, the U.S. stockholder’s basis in the new shares would generally be equal to their fair market value. The additional shares will have a new holding period commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder’s account.

We expect to be treated as a “publicly offered regulated investment company.” As a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” in addition to our DRIP, we may choose to pay a majority of a required dividend in stock rather than cash. In order for the distribution to qualify for the Annual Distribution Requirement, the dividend must be payable at the election of each shareholder in cash or common stock (or a combination of the two), but may have a “cash cap” that limits the total amount of cash paid to not less than 20% of the entire distribution. If shareholders in the aggregate elect to receive an amount of cash greater than the Fund’s cash cap, then each shareholder who elected to receive cash will receive a pro rata share of the cash and the rest of their distribution in stock of the Fund. The value of the portion of the distribution made in common stock will be equal to the amount of cash for which the common stock is substituted, and U.S. stockholders will be subject to tax on those amount as though they had received cash.

We may elect to retain our net capital gain or a portion thereof for investment and be taxed at corporate-level tax rates on the amount retained, and therefore designate the retained amount as a “deemed dividend.” In this case, we may report the retained amount as undistributed capital gains to our U.S. stockholders, who will be treated as if each U.S. stockholder received a distribution of its pro rata share of this gain, with the result that each U.S. stockholder will (i) be required to report its pro rata share of this gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, (ii) receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by us on the gain and (iii) increase the tax basis for its shares of common stock by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a “deemed distribution.”

For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of capital gains dividends paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. stockholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by our stockholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

If a U.S. stockholder purchases shares of our common stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution and the U.S. stockholder will be subject to tax on the distribution even though it economically represents a return of investment.

A U.S. stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder redeems, sells or otherwise disposes of its shares of our common stock. The amount of gain or loss will be measured by the difference between a U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock sold, redeemed or otherwise disposed of and the amount of the proceeds received in exchange. Any gain or loss arising from a sale, redemption or other disposition generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. stockholder has held the shares for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale, redemption or other disposition of shares of our common stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to those shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our common stock may be disallowed if substantially identical stock or securities are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition. In that case, any disallowed loss is generally added to the U.S. stockholder’s adjusted tax basis of the acquired stock.

In general, U.S. stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are taxed at preferential rates on their net capital gain. Those rates are lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gain and ordinary income at the same maximum rate. Non-corporate U.S. stockholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital loss in excess of capital gain) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of those losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate U.S. stockholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate U.S. stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year, but may carry back those losses for three years or carry forward those losses for five years.

We will send to each of our U.S. stockholders, after the end of each calendar year, a notice providing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in the U.S. stockholder’s taxable income for the applicable year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the U.S. federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of dividends, if any, eligible for the preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains).

Dividends paid by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because our income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions by us out of current or accumulated earnings and profits also generally will not be eligible for the 20% pass through deduction under Section 199A of the Code, although under recently proposed regulations, qualified real estate investment trust dividends earned by us may qualify for the deduction under Section 199A of the Code. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and non-U.S. taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder’s particular situation.

Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations

If a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to our common stock in excess of $2 million or more for a non-corporate U.S. stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate U.S. stockholder in any single taxable year, the U.S. stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct investors of portfolio securities in many cases are excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, equity owners of a RIC are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Significant monetary penalties apply to a failure to comply with this reporting requirement. States may also have similar reporting requirements. Shareholders should consult their tax advisor to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Net Investment Income Tax

An additional 3.8% surtax generally applies to the net investment income of non-corporate U.S. stockholders (other than certain trusts) on the lesser of (i) the U.S. stockholder’s “net investment income” for a taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. stockholder’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of joint filers). For these purposes, “net investment income” generally includes interest and taxable distributions and deemed distributions paid with respect to shares of common stock, and net gain attributable to the disposition of common stock (in each case, unless the shares of common stock are held in connection with certain trades or businesses), but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to these distributions or this net gain.

Taxation of non-U.S. stockholders

The following discussion applies only to persons that are non-U.S. stockholders. If you are not a non-U.S. stockholder, this section does not apply to you. Whether an investment in shares of our common stock is appropriate for a non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in shares of our common stock by a non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences and, accordingly, may not be appropriate for a non-U.S. stockholder. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their own tax advisors before investing in our common stock.

Distributions on, and Sale or Other Disposition of, Our Common Stock

Distributions by us to non-U.S. stockholders generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax (unless lowered or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty) to the extent payable from our current or accumulated earnings and profits unless an exception applies.

If a non-U.S. stockholder receives distributions and those distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States of that non-U.S. stockholder, those distributions generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. In that case, we will not be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax if the non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements.

Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gain to a non-U.S. stockholder, and gains recognized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our common stock, will not be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax and generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless (a) the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. stockholder in the United States (as discussed above) or (b) the non-U.S. stockholder is an individual, has been present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year, and certain other conditions are satisfied. For a corporate non-U.S. stockholder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains recognized upon the sale of our common stock that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” (unless lowered or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty). Non-U.S. stockholders of our common stock are encouraged to consult their own advisors as to the applicability of an income tax treaty in their individual circumstances.

In general, no U.S. source withholding taxes will be imposed on dividends paid by us to non-U.S. stockholders to the extent the dividends are designated as “interest related dividends” or “short term capital gain dividends.” Under this exemption, interest related dividends and short term capital gain dividends generally represent distributions of interest or short term capital gain that would not have been subject to U.S. withholding tax at the source if they had been received directly by a non-U.S. stockholder, and that satisfy certain other requirements. No assurance can be given that we will distribute any interest related dividends or short term capital gain dividends.

If we distribute our net capital gain in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions (which we may do in the future), a non-U.S. stockholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the non-U.S. stockholder’s allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gain deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) (if one has not been previously obtained) and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. stockholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. TIN or file a U.S. federal income tax return.

Non-U.S. stockholders who have elected to participate in our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving cash dividends and distributions. Any dividends or distributions reinvested under the plan will nevertheless remain taxable to non-U.S. stockholders to the same extent as if those dividends were received in cash. In addition, we have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our common stock, even if a non-U.S. stockholder has not elected to participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, in which case, as long as a portion of the dividend is paid in cash (which portion could be as low as 20%) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, our non-U.S. stockholders will be taxed on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend paid entirely or partially in our common stock on the date the dividend is received in the same manner (and to the extent that non-U.S. stockholder is subject to U.S. federal income taxation) as a cash dividend (including the application of withholding tax rules described above), even if most or all of the dividend is paid in common stock. In such a circumstance, we may be required to withhold all or substantially all of the cash we would otherwise distribute to a non-U.S. stockholder.

Certain Additional Tax Considerations

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal income taxes, a portion of all taxable distributions payable to stockholders (a) who fail to provide us with their correct TINs or who otherwise fail to make required certifications or (b) with respect to whom the IRS notifies us that this stockholder is subject to backup withholding. Certain stockholders specified in the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder are exempt from backup withholding, but may be required to provide documentation to establish their exempt status. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld will be allowed as a refund or a credit against the stockholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability if the appropriate information is timely provided to the IRS. Failure by a stockholder to furnish a certified TIN to us could subject the stockholder to a penalty imposed by the IRS.

Withholding and Information Reporting on Foreign Financial Accounts

A non-U.S. stockholder who is otherwise subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends, unless the non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or an acceptable substitute form), or otherwise meets the documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

Pursuant to Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations thereunder, the relevant withholding agent generally will be required to withhold 30% of any dividends paid with respect to common stock to: (i) a foreign financial institution, unless the foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its U.S. accountholders, and meets certain other specified requirements or is subject to an applicable “intergovernmental agreement”; or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity beneficial owner, unless the entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address and TIN of each substantial U.S. owner, and meets certain other specified requirements. If payment of this withholding tax is made, non-U.S. stockholders that are otherwise eligible for an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding taxes with respect to these dividends or proceeds will be required to seek a credit or refund from the IRS to obtain the benefit of this exemption or reduction. In certain cases, the relevant foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity may qualify for an exemption from, or be deemed to be in compliance with, these rules. Certain jurisdictions have entered into agreements with the United States that may supplement or modify these rules.

All stockholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal income and withholding tax consequences, and state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences, of an investment in our common stock. We will not pay any additional amounts in respect to any amounts withheld.

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SECURITIES

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.

The following are our outstanding classes, and series thereof, of Securities as of September 1, 2021.


(1) Title of Class	(2) Amount Authorized		(3) Amount Held by us or for Our Account		(4) Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Amounts Shown Under(3)
Common Stock		100,000,000 shares		—		33,205,023 shares
2026 Notes	$	127,937,500		—	$	127,937,500
2028 Notes	$	134,550,000		—	$	134,550,000

The following description is a summary based on relevant provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law. This summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as amended, and applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Common Stock

All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract.

Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time.

Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. Except as otherwise provided by statute, by the rules of Nasdaq or other applicable stock exchange, by our certificate of incorporation or by our bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present or represented by proxy at a meeting of our stockholders and entitled to vote will be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, by our certificate of incorporation or by our bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present or represented by proxy at a meeting of our stockholders and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Our common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “GAIN.”

Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation gives the board of directors the authority, without further action by stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions granted to or imposed upon such preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, and liquidation preference, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation, and could also decrease the market price of our common stock.

Subscription Rights

General

We may issue subscription rights to our stockholders to purchase common stock or preferred stock. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or

receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting arrangement with one or more underwriters pursuant to which such underwriters would purchase any offered Securities remaining unsubscribed after such subscription rights offering to the extent permissible under applicable law. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

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the period of time the offering would remain open (which in no event would be less than fifteen business days);

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the title of such subscription rights;

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the exercise price for such subscription rights;

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the ratio of the offering (which in no event would exceed one new share of common stock for each three rights held);

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the number of such subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

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the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable;

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if applicable, a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

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the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which such rights shall expire (subject to any extension);

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the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;

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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the subscription rights offering; and

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any other terms of such subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such subscription rights.

Exercise of Subscription Rights

Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of common stock, or preferred stock, at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void.

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock purchasable upon such exercise. We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Warrants

The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

We may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with shares of common or preferred stock or other equity or debt securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:

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the title of such warrants;

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the aggregate number of such warrants;

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the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

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the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;

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if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

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In the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which such principal amount may be purchased upon such exercise;

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In the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

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the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire;;

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whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

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if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants which may be exercised at any one time;

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if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

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information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

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the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

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if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

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any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

Prior to exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive distributions or dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights.

Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants (except for warrants expiring not later than 120 days after issuance and issued exclusively and ratably to a class of our security holders) on the condition that (1) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years; (2) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value of the securities underlying the warrants at the date of issuance; (3) our stockholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants (our stockholders approved such a proposal to issue long-term rights, including warrants, in connection with our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders) and a “required majority” of our Board of Directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of Gladstone Investment and our stockholders; and (4) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. A “required majority” of our Board of Directors is a vote of both a majority of our directors who have no financial interest in the transaction and a majority of the directors who are not interested persons of the company. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, options and subscription rights at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities.

Debt Securities

Any debt securities that we issue may be senior or subordinated in priority of payment. If we offer debt securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that describes the ranking, whether senior or subordinated, the specific designation, the aggregate principal amount, the purchase price, the maturity, the redemption terms, the interest rate or manner of calculating the interest rate, the time of payment of interest, if any, the terms for any conversion or exchange, including the terms relating to the adjustment of any conversion or exchange mechanism, the listing, if any, on a securities exchange, the name and address of the trustee and any other specific terms of the debt securities.

5.00% Notes due 2026

The 2026 Notes were issued under a base indenture, dated as of May 22, 2020, and a second supplemental indenture thereto, dated as of March 2, 2021, each entered into between us and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee (collectively, the “2026 Indenture”). The 2026 Notes will mature on May 1, 2026. The principal payable at maturity will be 100% of the aggregate principal amount. The interest rate of the 2026 Notes is 5.00% per year. Interest on the 2026 Notes is paid every February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 and the regular record dates for interest payments are every January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, as the case may be, next preceding the applicable interest payment date. The 2026 Notes are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “GAINN.”

The 2026 Notes were issued in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. The 2026 Notes are not subject to any sinking fund, and holders of the 2026 Notes do not have the option to have the 2026 Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date.

The following is a summary description of the material terms of the 2026 Notes and the 2026 Indenture. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2026 Indenture.

Covenants

In addition to standard covenants relating to payment of principal and interest, maintaining an office where payments may be made or securities can be surrendered for payment and related matters, the following covenants apply to the 2026 Notes:

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We agree that for the period of time during which 2026 Notes are outstanding, we will not violate Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions, whether or not we continue to be subject to such provisions of the 1940 Act, whether or not we continue to be subject to such provisions of the 1940 Act, but giving effect, in either case, to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC.

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We agree that for the period of time during which 2026 Notes are outstanding, we will not declare any dividend (except a dividend payable in stock of the Company), or declare any other distribution, upon a class of our capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless, in every such case, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, we have an asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least the threshold specified under Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions thereto of the 1940 Act, after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and giving effect, in each case, to any no-action relief granted by the SEC to another BDC and upon which we may reasonably rely (or to us if we determine to seek such similar no-action or other relief) permitting the BDC to declare any cash dividend or distribution notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, to maintain such BDC’s status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

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If, at any time, we are not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the SEC, we agree to furnish to holders of the 2026 Notes and the trustee, for the period of time during which the 2026 Notes are outstanding, our audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 90 days of our fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 45 days of our fiscal quarter end (other than our fourth fiscal quarter). All such financial statements will be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable GAAP.

Optional Redemption

The 2026 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after March 1, 2023, upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice by mail prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof, at a redemption price of 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the 2026 Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable thereon for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.

Conversion and Exchange

The 2026 Notes are not convertible into or exchangeable for other securities.

Events of Default

The term “Event of Default” in respect of the 2026 Notes means any of the following:

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We do not pay the principal of any 2026 Note when due and payable at maturity;

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We do not pay interest on any Note when due and payable, and such default is not cured within 30 days of its due date;

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We remain in breach of any other covenant in respect of the 2026 Notes for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach (the notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding 2026 Notes);

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We file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or

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On the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months, the 2026 Notes have an asset coverage (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of less than 100%.

An Event of Default for the 2026 Notes may, but does not necessarily, constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the 2026 Notes of any default, except in the payment of principal or interest, if it in good faith considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the 2026 Notes may declare the entire principal amount of all the 2026 Notes to be due and immediately payable, but this does not entitle any holder of 2026 Notes to any redemption payout or redemption premium. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the 2026 Indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee protection from expenses and liability reasonably satisfactory to it (called an “indemnity”).

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The 2026 Notes are subject to defeasance by us. “Defeasance” means that, by depositing with a trustee an amount of cash and/or government securities sufficient to pay all principal and interest, if any, on the 2026 Notes when due and satisfying any additional conditions required under the 2026 Indenture, we will be deemed to have been discharged from our obligations under the 2026 Notes.

The 2026 Notes are subject to covenant defeasance by us. In the event of a “covenant defeasance,” upon depositing such funds and satisfying conditions similar to those for defeasance we would be released from certain covenants under the 2026 Indenture. The consequences to the holders of the 2026 Notes would be that, while they would no longer benefit from certain covenants under the 2026 Indenture, and while the 2026 Notes could not be accelerated for any reason, the holders of the 2026 Notes nonetheless could look to the Company for repayment of the 2026 Notes if there were a shortfall in the funds deposited with the trustee or the trustee is prevented from making a payment.

Ranking

The 2026 Notes are our direct unsecured obligations and rank:

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pari passu with our existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, including our 2028 Notes;

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senior to our Series E Term Preferred Stock and any other series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future;

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senior to any of our future indebtedness that expressly provides it is subordinated to the 2026 Notes;

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effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness (including indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security), to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

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structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries and any other future subsidiaries of the Company, including, without limitation, borrowings under the Credit Facility.

4.875% Notes due 2028

The 2028 Notes were issued under a base indenture, dated as of May 22, 2020, and a third supplemental indenture thereto, dated as of August 18, 2021, each entered into between us and UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee (collectively, the “2028 Indenture”). The 2028 Notes will mature on November 1, 2028. The principal payable at maturity will be 100% of the aggregate principal amount. The interest rate of the 2028 Notes is 4.875% per year. Interest on the 2028 Notes will be paid every February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1, commencing November 1, 2021, and the regular record dates for interest payments will be every January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, commencing April 15, 2021, as the case may be, next preceding the applicable interest payment date. The 2028 Notes are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “GAINZ.”

The 2028 Notes were issued in denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof. The 2028 Notes are not be subject to any sinking fund and holders of the 2028 Notes do not have the option to have the 2028 Notes repaid prior to the stated maturity date.

The following is a summary description of the material terms of the 2028 Notes and the 2028 Indenture. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2028 Indenture.

Covenants

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We agree that for the period of time during which 2028 Notes are outstanding, we will not violate Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions, whether or not we continue to be subject to such provisions of the 1940 Act, whether or not we continue to be subject to such provisions of the 1940 Act, but giving effect, in either case, to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC.

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We agree that for the period of time during which 2028 Notes are outstanding, we will not declare any dividend (except a dividend payable in stock of the Company), or declare any other distribution, upon a class of our capital stock, or purchase any such capital stock, unless, in every such case, at the time of the declaration of any such dividend or distribution, or at the time of any such purchase, we have an asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of at least the threshold specified under Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions thereto of the 1940 Act, after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and giving effect, in each case, to any no-action relief granted by the SEC to another BDC and upon which we may reasonably rely (or to us if we determine to seek such similar no-action or other relief) permitting the BDC to declare any cash dividend or distribution notwithstanding the prohibition contained in Section 18(a)(1)(B) as modified by Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, to maintain such BDC’s status as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.

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If, at any time, we are not subject to the reporting requirements of Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act to file any periodic reports with the SEC, we agree to furnish to holders of the 2028 Notes and the trustee, for the period of time during which the 2028 Notes are outstanding, our audited annual consolidated financial statements, within 90 days of our fiscal year end, and unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, within 45 days of our fiscal quarter end (other than our fourth fiscal quarter). All such financial statements will be prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable GAAP.

Optional Redemption

The 2028 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after November 1, 2023, upon not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days written notice by mail prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof, at a redemption price of 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the 2028 Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest payments otherwise payable thereon for the then-current quarterly interest period accrued to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.

Conversion and Exchange

The 2028 Notes are not convertible into or exchangeable for other securities.

Events of Default

The term “Event of Default” in respect of the 2028 Notes means any of the following:

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We do not pay the principal of any 2026 Note when due and payable at maturity;

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We do not pay interest on any Note when due and payable, and such default is not cured within 30 days of its due date;

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We remain in breach of any other covenant in respect of the 2028 Notes for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach (the notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding 2028 Notes);

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We file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or

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On the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months, the 2028 Notes have an asset coverage (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of less than 100%.

An Event of Default for the 2028 Notes may, but does not necessarily, constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the 2028 Notes of any default, except in the payment of principal or interest, if it in good faith considers the withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the 2028 Notes may declare the entire principal amount of all the 2028 Notes to be due and immediately payable, but this does not entitle any holder of 2028 Notes to any redemption payout or redemption premium. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. Except in cases of default, where the trustee has some special duties, the trustee is not required to take any action under the 2028 Indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee protection from expenses and liability reasonably satisfactory to it (called an “indemnity”).

Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

The 2028 Notes are subject to defeasance by us. “Defeasance” means that, by depositing with a trustee an amount of cash and/or government securities sufficient to pay all principal and interest, if any, on the 2028 Notes when due and satisfying any additional conditions required under the 2028 Indenture, we will be deemed to have been discharged from our obligations under the 2028 Notes.

The 2028 Notes are subject to covenant defeasance by us. In the event of a “covenant defeasance,” upon depositing such funds and satisfying conditions similar to those for defeasance we would be released from certain covenants under the 2028 Indenture. The consequences to the holders of the 2028 Notes would be that, while they would no longer benefit from certain covenants under the 2028 Indenture, and while the 2028 Notes could not be accelerated for any reason, the holders of the 2028 Notes nonetheless could look to the Company for repayment of the 2028 Notes if there were a shortfall in the funds deposited with the trustee or the trustee is prevented from making a payment.

Ranking

The 2028 Notes are our direct unsecured obligations and rank:

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pari passu with our existing and future unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness, including our 2026 Notes;

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senior to any series of preferred stock that we may issue in the future;

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senior to any of our future indebtedness that expressly provides it is subordinated to the 2028 Notes;

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CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND OF OUR

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS

The following description of certain provisions of Delaware law and of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (our “certificate of incorporation”) and our amended and restated bylaws, as amended (our “bylaws”), is only a summary. For a complete description, we refer you to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws. We have filed our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as amended, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Classified Board of Directors

Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors is divided into three classes of directors. Each class consists, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors, and each class has a three-year term. The holders of outstanding shares of common stock elect our directors. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve for the remainder of the full term of the class in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualified. Holders of shares of our stock have no right to cumulative voting in the election of directors. Consequently, at each annual meeting of our stockholders, the holders of a plurality of the shares of our common stock are able to elect all of the successors to the class of directors whose term expires at such meeting.

Our classified board could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult. Because our directors may only be removed for cause, at least two annual meetings of stockholders, instead of one, will generally be required to effect a change in a majority of our Board of Directors. Thus, our classified board could increase the likelihood that incumbent directors will retain their positions. The staggered terms of directors may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or an attempt to change control of us or another transaction that might involve a premium price for our common stock that might be in the best interest of our stockholders.

Removal of Directors

Any director may be removed only for cause by the stockholders upon the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting called for the purpose of the proposed removal. The notice of the meeting shall indicate that the purpose, or one of the purposes, of the meeting is to determine if the director shall be removed.

Business Combinations

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally prohibits “business combinations” between us and an “interested stockholder” for three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder. In general, Delaware law defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling, or controlled by, the entity or person. These business combinations include:

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Any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

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Any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

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Subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder; or

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The receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

Section 203 permits certain exemptions from its provisions for transactions in which:

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Prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

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The interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding (a) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and (b) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

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On or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Merger; Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation

Under Delaware law, we will not be able to amend our certificate of incorporation or merge with another entity unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the matter.

Term and Termination

Our certificate of incorporation provides for us to have a perpetual existence. Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, and subject to the provisions of any of our classes or series of stock then outstanding and the approval by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, our stockholders, at any meeting thereof, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, may approve a plan of liquidation and dissolution.

Advance Notice of Director Nominations and New Business

Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to our Board of Directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders at the annual meeting may be made only:

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pursuant to our notice of the meeting;

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by our Board of Directors; or

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by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of the provision of notice and at the time of the meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice procedures set forth in our bylaws.

With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of meeting may be brought before the meeting of stockholders and nominations of persons for election to our Board of Directors may be made only:

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pursuant to our notice of the meeting;

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by our Board of Directors; or

•

provided that our Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by a stockholder who was a stockholder of record both at the time of the provision of notice and at the time of the meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and has complied with the advance notice provisions set forth in our bylaws.

Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation gives our Board of Directors the authority, without further action by stockholders, to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications and restrictions granted to or imposed upon such preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, and liquidation preference, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. Thus, our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and reduce the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation, and could also decrease the market price of our common stock.

Possible Anti-Takeover Effect of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

The business combination provisions of Delaware law, the provisions of our bylaws regarding the classification of our Board of Directors and the Board of Directors’ ability to issue preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have a priority as to distributions and amounts payable upon liquidation over the rights of the holders of our common stock, and the advance notice provisions of our bylaws could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in the control that might involve a premium price for holders of common stock or otherwise be in their best interest.

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

Our certificate of incorporation eliminates the liability of directors to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition, our bylaws require us to indemnify our directors and executive officers, and allow us to indemnify other employees and agents, to the fullest extent permitted by law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. Our bylaws obligate us to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Delaware law requires a corporation to indemnify a present or former director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Delaware law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, or any other person who is or was an employee or agent, or is or was serving at the request of a corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another entity, against liability for expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred if such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. In the case of a criminal proceeding, Delaware law further requires that the person to be indemnified have no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In the case of an action or suit by or in the right of a corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of such person’s service to the corporation, Delaware law provides that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person has been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such an action or suit is brought determines, in view of all the circumstances of the case, that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity. Insofar as certain members of our senior management team may from time to time serve, at the request of our Board of Directors, as directors of one or more of our portfolio companies, we may have indemnification obligations under our bylaws with respect to acts taken by our portfolio companies.

Any payment to an officer or director as indemnification under our governing documents or applicable law or pursuant to any agreement to hold such person harmless is recoverable only out of our assets and not from our stockholders. Indemnification could reduce the legal remedies available to us and our stockholders against the indemnified individuals. This provision for indemnification of our directors and officers does not reduce the exposure of our directors and officers to liability under federal or state securities laws, nor does it limit a stockholder’s ability to obtain injunctive relief or other equitable remedies for a violation of a director’s or an officer’s duties to us or to our stockholders, although these equitable remedies may not be effective in some circumstances.

In addition to any indemnification to which our directors and officers are entitled pursuant to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that we may indemnify other employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law, whether they are serving us or, at our request, any other entity, including our Adviser and our Administrator.

The general effect to investors of any arrangement under which any person who controls us or any of our directors, officers or agents is insured or indemnified against liability is a potential reduction in distributions to our stockholders resulting from our payment of premiums associated with liability insurance. In addition, indemnification could reduce the legal remedies available to us and to our stockholders against our officers, directors and agents. The SEC takes the position that indemnification against liabilities arising under the Securities Act is against public policy and unenforceable. As a result, indemnification of our directors and officers and of our Adviser or its affiliates may not be allowed for liabilities arising from or out of a violation of state or federal securities laws. Indemnification will be allowed for settlements and related expenses of lawsuits alleging securities laws violations and for expenses incurred in successfully defending any lawsuit, provided that a court either:

•

approves the settlement and finds that indemnification of the settlement and related costs should be made; or

•

dismisses with prejudice or makes a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the particular indemnitee and a court approves the indemnification.

Conflict with 1940 Act

Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any provision of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

SHARE REPURCHASES

Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at discounts to NAV. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade above, at or below NAV. The market price of our common stock is determined by, among other things, the supply and demand for our shares, our investment performance and investor perception of our overall attractiveness as an investment as compared with alternative investments. Our Board of Directors may authorize our officers, in their discretion and subject to compliance with the 1940 Act and other applicable law, to purchase on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, outstanding shares of our common stock in the event that our shares trade at a discount to NAV. We cannot assure you that we will ever conduct any open market purchases and if we do conduct open market purchases, we may terminate them at any time.

In addition, if our shares publicly trade for a substantial period of time at a substantial discount to our then current NAV per share, our Board of Directors may consider authorizing periodic repurchases of our shares or other actions designed to eliminate the discount. Our Board of Directors could consider any relevant factors in determining whether to take any such actions, including the effect of such actions on our status as a RIC under the Code and the availability of cash to finance these repurchases in view of the restrictions on our ability to borrow. We cannot assure you that any share repurchases will be made or that if made, they will reduce or eliminate market discount. Should we make any such repurchases in the future, we expect that we would make them at prices at or below the then current NAV per share. Any such repurchase would cause our total assets to decrease, which may have the effect of increasing our expense ratio. We may borrow money to finance the repurchase of shares subject to the limitations described in this prospectus. Any interest on such borrowing for this purpose would reduce our net income.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser. The proxy voting policies and procedures of the Adviser are set out below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by the Adviser and our directors who are not “interested persons,” and, accordingly, are subject to change.

Introduction

As an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act, the Adviser has a fiduciary duty to act solely in our best interests. As part of this duty, the Adviser recognizes that it must vote our securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in our best interests.

The Adviser’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for its investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.

Proxy Policies

The Adviser votes proxies relating to our portfolio securities in what it perceives to be the best interest of our stockholders. The Adviser reviews on a case-by-case basis each proposal submitted to a stockholder vote to determine its effect on the portfolio securities we hold. In most cases the Adviser will vote in favor of proposals that the Adviser believes are likely to increase the value of the portfolio securities we hold.

Although the Adviser will generally vote against proposals that may have a negative effect on our portfolio securities, the Adviser may vote for such a proposal if there exist compelling long-term reasons to do so.

Our proxy voting decisions are made by our Adviser’s portfolio managers. To ensure that the Adviser’s vote is not the product of a conflict of interest, the Adviser requires that (1) anyone involved in the decision-making process disclose to our Adviser’s investment committee any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (2) employees involved in the decision-making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how the Adviser intends to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties. Where conflicts of interest may be present, the Adviser will disclose such conflicts to us, including our independent directors and may request guidance from us on how to vote such proxies.

Proxy Voting Records

You may obtain information without charge about how the Adviser voted proxies by calling (toll-free) 1 (866) 214-7543 or by making a written request for proxy voting information to:

Michael LiCalsi, General Counsel and Secretary

c/o Gladstone Investment Corporation

1521 Westbranch Drive

Suite 100

McLean, VA 22102

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may offer the Securities through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders in a rights offering, or through agents or through a combination of any such methods of sale. In the case of a rights offering, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of Securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any prospectus supplement or supplements will also describe the terms of the offering of Securities, including: the amount and purchase price of Securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional Securities from us; any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; the public offering price; any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and any securities exchange or market on which the Securities may be listed.

The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices. The price at which Securities may be distributed may represent a discount from prevailing market prices, provided, however, that in the case of our common stock, the offering price per share less any underwriting commissions or discounts must equal or exceed the NAV per share of our common stock except (i) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (ii) with the consent of the majority of our outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), or (iii) under such other circumstances as the SEC may permit.

In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the Securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Our common stockholders will indirectly bear such fees and expenses as well as any other fees and expenses incurred by us in connection with any sale of Securities. Underwriters may sell the Securities to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 10%.

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of the Securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the Securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the Securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

Any underwriters that are qualified market makers on Nasdaq may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on Nasdaq in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of our common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the Securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

We may sell the Securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of the Securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of Securities will be a new issue with no trading market, other than our common stock and our outstanding preferred stock, which are traded on Nasdaq. We may elect to list any other class or series of Securities on any exchanges, but we are not obligated to do so. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any Securities.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell Securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

Any of our common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be listed on Nasdaq, or another exchange on which our common stock is traded.

Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of the Securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase the Securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the Securities offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states, the Securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

Since we generally acquire and dispose of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, we will infrequently use securities brokers or dealers in the normal course of our business. Subject to policies established by our Board of Directors, our Adviser will be primarily responsible for ensuring the execution of transactions involving publicly traded securities and the review of brokerage commissions in respect thereof, if any. In the event that our Adviser ensures the execution such transactions, we do not expect our Adviser to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but we would expect our Adviser to seek to obtain the best net results for us, taking into account such factors as price (including any applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the broker dealer and the broker dealer’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. While we expect that our Adviser generally will seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs, we will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, our Adviser may select a broker dealer based partly upon brokerage or market research services provided to us, our Adviser and any of its other clients, if any. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other broker dealers would charge if our Adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker dealer viewed in terms either of the particular transaction or our Adviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to all of our Adviser’s clients.

We have not paid any brokerage commissions during the three most recent fiscal years to any affiliated person of us or our Adviser.

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The securities we hold in our portfolio companies are held under a custodian agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon Corp. The address of the custodian is: 500 Ross Street, Suite 935, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15262. Our assets are held under bank custodianship in compliance with the 1940 Act. Securities held through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Business Investment, are held under a custodian agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon Corp., which acts as collateral custodian pursuant to the Credit Facility. The address of the collateral custodian is 2322 French Settlement Road, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75212. Computershare acts as our transfer and dividend paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of Computershare is 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, telephone number (781) 575-2000. Computershare also maintains an internet website at www.computershare.com and one specifically for shareholders at www.computershare.com/investor.

LEGAL MATTERS

The legality of Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Proskauer Rose LLP, Washington, D.C. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters, if any, by the counsel named in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2021 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The address of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 2400, Arlington, Virginia 22209.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 under the Securities Act with respect to the Securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which is a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to our business and our Securities, reference is made to the registration statement, including the amendments, exhibits and schedules thereto.

We are a public company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. We also make available free of charge through our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as well as our definitive proxy statement and Section 16 reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5. Our website address is www.gladstoneinvestment.com. However, the information located on, or accessible from, our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, except as described below, a part of this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or incorporated into any other filings that we make with the SEC.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with it which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the date that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

We previously filed the following documents with the SEC, and such filings are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

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Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2021 (including portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders incorporated therein by reference);

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Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on August 2, 2021;

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Our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on August 5, 2021, August 12, 2021, August 18, 2021 and August 20, 2021; and

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The description of our common stock contained in our Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 814-00704), filed with the SEC on June 21, 2005, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference into this prospectus additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, from the filing of this prospectus until all of the securities offered by this prospectus have been sold or we otherwise terminate the offering of these securities, including all filings made after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement; provided, however, that information “furnished” under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC which is not deemed filed is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Information that we subsequently file with the SEC will automatically update and may supersede information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and information previously filed with the SEC.

These filings may also be accessed on the investors section of our website at www.gladstoneinvestment.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You may also request a copy of these filings (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents) at no cost by writing, emailing or calling Investor Relations at the following address and telephone number:

Investor Relations

Gladstone Investment Corporation

1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 100

McLean, Virginia 22102

(703) 287-5893

investment@gladstonecompanies.com

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August 15, 2022

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