Runway Growth Finance Corp. Provides Fourth Quarter 2023 Portfolio Update
January 11 2024 - 8:30AM
Runway Growth Finance Corp. (Nasdaq: RWAY) (“Runway Growth” or the
“Company”), a leading provider of flexible capital solutions to
late- and growth-stage companies seeking an alternative to raising
equity, today provided an operational and portfolio update for the
fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023.
“Runway Growth generated strong momentum during the fourth
quarter, capitalizing on investment opportunities as green shoots
emerged in the origination environment,” said Greg Greifeld, Acting
Chief Executive Officer of Runway Growth, and Deputy Chief
Investment Officer and Head of Credit of Runway Growth Capital LLC.
“Our team’s prudent underwriting practices and commitment to active
communication with existing portfolio companies position our
platform well for the dynamic rate environment that is forecasted
for the year ahead. Looking at 2024, we see growing opportunity as
we expect deal flow to increase particularly in the second half of
the year. Runway Growth’s creative financing solutions and
strategic growth capital will fill a void for borrowers seeking
non-dilutive alternatives to a challenging fundraising
environment.”
OriginationsIn the fourth quarter of 2023,
Runway Growth funded eight investments: three investments in new
portfolio companies and five investments in existing portfolio
companies. These include:
- Completion of a
$40.0 million investment to Blueshift Labs, Inc. (“Blueshift”),
funding $25.5 million at close. Blueshift helps brands automate and
personalize engagement across every marketing channel;
- Completion of a
$37.5 million investment to Linxup, LLC (“Linxup”), funding $30.0
million at close. Linxup is a U.S.-based GPS tracking, telematics
and fleet management provider serving small and mid-size
businesses;
- Completion of a new
$13.0 million investment to Betterment Holdings, Inc.
(“Betterment”), funding $8.0 million at close. Betterment is the
largest independent digital investment advisor, offering investing
and retirement solutions alongside their everyday services for
spending and saving;
- Completion of a new
$65.0 million investment to existing portfolio company Synack, Inc.
(“Synack”), funding $40.0 million at close, which refinanced and
upsized the $60.0 million senior secured term loan previously
provided by the Company. Synack is a developer of a crowdsourced
security testing platform designed to deliver smart penetration
testing to security teams;
- Completion of a new
$30.0 million investment to existing portfolio company, Bombora,
Inc. ("Bombora"), funding $28.0 million at close, which refinanced
and upsized Bombora’s previous $20.0 million senior secured term
loan. Bombora is a marketing technology and data company that
aggregates and provides purchase intent data to B2B
(business-to-business) marketers;
- Completion of $18.6
million follow-on investments through two additional advances to
existing portfolio company Route 92 Medical, Inc. (“Route 92”).
Route 92 is a medical device company that develops
neuro-interventional devices with a focus on treating acute
ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke;
- Funded $1.4 million
of a $2.8 million secured convertible note to Snagajob.com, Inc.
(“Snagajob”). Snagajob is the largest platform/marketplace for
hourly work with 100 million registered hourly workers and 500,000
employer locations in the United States and Canada; and
- Completion of $3.1
million equity funding to Gynesonics, Inc. (“Gynesoncis") as part
of an offering by the company of Series A-1 Preferred Stock.
Gynesonics is a women's healthcare company focused on the
development of minimally invasive solutions for symptomatic uterine
fibroids.
Liquidity EventsDuring the fourth quarter
ended December 31, 2023, Runway Growth experienced two
prepayments totaling $61.7 million and scheduled principal
amortization of $0.3 million. The prepayments include:
- Full principal
repayment of senior secured term loan to Vero Biotech, LLC of $40.0
million; and
- Partial principal
repayment of senior secured term loan to Brivo, Inc. of $21.7
million.
Net originations for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023,
totaled $36.0 million.
Portfolio Construction and
ManagementRunway Growth is a credit-first organization,
conservatively focused on the latest stage, highest quality
companies in the venture debt market. The Company’s portfolio is
constructed to be one of the most stable in the venture debt space,
as evidenced by Runway Growth’s high investment standards
throughout ongoing economic turbulence. Since inception, the team
has delivered attractive returns for shareholders and has
maintained industry-leading low loss rates. While our credit
standards are high; we are open for business and are actively
looking to deploy capital across our focus sectors of technology,
life sciences and healthcare, and select consumer products and
services.
As of December 31, 2023, the Runway Growth portfolio
included 31 debt investments to 29 portfolio companies and 76
equity investments in 48 portfolio companies, including 25
portfolio companies where Runway Growth holds both a debt and
equity investment. Investments were comprised of late and
growth-stage businesses in the technology, life sciences and
consumer services and products industries. Runway Growth’s normal
business operations include frequent communication with portfolio
companies.
About Runway Growth Finance Corp.Runway Growth
is a growing specialty finance company focused on providing
flexible capital solutions to late- and growth-stage companies
seeking an alternative to raising equity. Runway Growth is a
closed-end investment fund that has elected to be regulated as a
business development company under the Investment Company Act of
1940. Runway Growth is externally managed by Runway Growth Capital
LLC, an established registered investment advisor that was formed
in 2015 and led by industry veteran David Spreng. For more
information, please visit www.runwaygrowth.com.
Forward-Looking StatementsStatements included
herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Statements other than statements of historical facts included in
this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and
are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the impact
of COVID-19 and related changes in base interest rates and
significant market volatility on our business, our portfolio
companies, our industry and the global economy. Actual results may
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a
result of a number of factors, including those described from time
to time in Runway Growth’s filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Runway Growth undertakes no duty to update any
forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this press release.
IR Contacts:Stefan Norbom, Prosek Partners,
snorbom@prosek.com Thomas B. Raterman, Acting President, Chief
Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer,
tr@runwaygrowth.com
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