Hercules Technology Provides $15 Million of Equipment Financing to hi5 Networks, Inc., a Leading Global Social Network

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTGC), the premier specialty finance company providing venture debt and equity to venture capital and private equity backed technology and life science companies at all stages of development, today announced that it provided $15 million in debt financing in December 2007 to hi5 Networks, Inc., founder of one of the world's leading social networks.

"hi5 Networks has developed a global brand and a growing audience around the world," said Sam Bhaumik, senior managing director and group head of technology at Hercules. "hi5's ability to localize its site to the specific language of each region in both content and advertising makes it an extremely attractive company in the popular social networking space."

Currently available in more than 12 languages, hi5 is ranked by Alexa(R) as a top 10 Web site globally and as the No. 1 or No. 2 most-trafficked Web site in almost a dozen countries, including many in Latin America, Europe and Asia. To date, more than 70 million people in nearly 250 countries have registered for the service.

"We designed the hi5 network with the international audience in mind and continue to strive to provide the most localized experience for our members," said Ramu Yalamanchi, hi5's CEO and founder. "With this capital infusion from Hercules, we will continue to invest in our service to expand the ways in which we meet the needs and interests of the diverse membership currently enjoying hi5."

hi5 is also backed by leading venture capital firm, Mohr Davidow Ventures.

About Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.:

Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc. is a NASDAQ traded specialty finance company providing debt and equity growth capital to technology and life science companies at all stages of development. Founded in December 2003, the company primarily finances privately held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms. Hercules invests in a broad range of ventures active in technology and life science industries and offers a full suite of growth capital products up and down the capital structure. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. and has additional offices in the Boston, Boulder, San Diego and Chicago areas. Providing capital to publicly-traded or privately-held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms involves a high degree of credit risk and may result in potential losses of capital. For more information, please visit www.HTGC.com.

Companies interested in learning more about financing opportunities should contact info@HTGC.com, or call 650.289.3060.

About hi5 Networks, Inc.:

hi5 Networks, Inc. is a privately-held firm headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Its flagship service, hi5, was launched in 2003 and is now one of the leading social networks in the world -- ranked by Alexa(R) as a top 10 website globally and the #1 or #2 most-trafficked website in nearly a dozen countries, including many in Latin America, Europe and Asia. More than 70 million people have registered for hi5, which is available in more than twelve languages and offers a simple, fun and safe online experience. Individuals use hi5 to stay connected and share information with friends and family around the world, meet new people, express themselves, and discover linkages throughout their lives. For more information, please visit www.hi5.com or www.hi5networks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

The statements contained in this release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be incorrect. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof, and Hercules assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements for subsequent events.

Source: Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.

Released January 29, 2008