Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 497
Registration No. 333-231089

This preliminary prospectus supplement relates to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 12, 2019

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated April 29, 2019)

5,000,000 Shares

Common Stock

We are offering 5,000,000 shares of our common stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE, under the trading symbol “HTGC.” The last sale price, as reported on the NYSE on June 10, 2019, was $12.93 per share. The net asset value per share of our common stock at March 31, 2019 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus supplement on which we determined net asset value) was $10.26.

We are an internally-managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company, or BDC, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio’s total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our warrant and equity-related investments.

An investment in our common stock may be speculative and involves risks, including a heightened risk of total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement, on page 6 of the accompanying prospectus, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in any of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and in any free writing prospectus to read about risks that you should consider before investing in our common stock, including the risk of leverage.

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus contain important information you should know before investing in our common stock. Please read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus before investing and keep it for future reference. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the SEC. This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310, Palo Alto, California 94301, or by telephone by calling collect at (650) 289-3060 or on our website at www.htgc.com. Except for the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the information on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains information about us.

The underwriters may also purchase up to an additional 750,000 shares from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover overallotments, if any, within 30 days of the date of this prospectus supplement. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total public offering price will be $          , the total sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions) paid by us will be $          , and total proceeds, before expenses, will be $          .

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

Delivery of the shares of common stock will be made on or about June      , 2019.

Joint Book-Running Managers

Co-Managers

The date of this prospectus supplement is June     , 2019.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or any other information which we have referred you. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make representations as to matters not stated in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, or in any free writing prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, or any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, or any free writing prospectus, as applicable. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information and disclosure. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading “Available Information” before investing in our common stock.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

Prospectus 

 

 

Organizational Chart

 

The following chart summarizes our organizational structure as of June 10, 2019. This chart is provided for illustrative purposes only.

 

 

Our Market Opportunity

 

We believe that technology-related companies compete in one of the largest and most rapidly growing sectors of the U.S. economy and that continued growth is supported by ongoing innovation and performance improvements in technology products as well as the adoption of technology across virtually all industries in response to competitive pressures. We believe that an attractive market opportunity exists for a specialty finance company focused primarily on investments in structured debt with warrants in technology-related companies for the following reasons:

 

•

technology-related companies have generally been underserved by traditional lending sources;

 

•

unfulfilled demand exists for structured debt financing to technology-related companies due to the complexity of evaluating risk in these investments; and

 

•

structured debt with warrants products are less dilutive and complement equity financing from venture capital and private equity funds.

 

Technology-Related Companies are Underserved by Traditional Lenders. We believe many viable technology-related companies backed by financial sponsors have been unable to obtain sufficient growth financing from traditional lenders, including financial services companies such as commercial banks and finance companies because traditional lenders have continued to consolidate and have adopted a more risk-averse approach to lending. More importantly, we believe traditional lenders are typically unable to underwrite the risk associated with these companies effectively.

 

The unique cash flow characteristics of many technology-related companies typically include significant research and development expenditures and high projected revenue growth thus often making such companies difficult to evaluate from a credit perspective. In addition, the balance sheets of these companies often include a disproportionately large amount of intellectual property assets, which can be difficult to value. Finally, the speed of innovation in technology and rapid shifts in consumer demand and market share add to the difficulty in evaluating technology-related companies.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly, assuming that the underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option. However, we caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The footnotes to the fee table state which items are estimates. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you” or “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in Hercules Capital, Inc.

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. These amounts are based upon our payment of annual operating expenses at the levels set forth in the table above and assume no additional leverage.

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those shown. Moreover, while the example assumes, as required by the applicable rules of the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or lesser than 5%. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value, or NAV, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan may receive shares valued at the market price in effect at that time. This price may be at, above or below NAV. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying prospectus for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The matters discussed in this prospectus supplement, including the documents that we incorporate by reference herein, and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus, including the documents we incorporate by reference therein, as well as in future oral and written statements by management of Hercules Capital, Inc., that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. We generally identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new investments, achieve certain margins and levels of profitability, the availability of additional capital, and the ability to maintain certain debt to asset ratios. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans or objectives will be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus include statements as to:

For a discussion of factors that could cause our actual results to differ from forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, please see the discussion under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and on page 6 of the accompanying prospectus.

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus supplement, including the documents that we incorporate by reference herein, and the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus, including the documents we incorporate by reference therein, relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made and are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Act. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this prospectus supplement.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

We have compiled certain industry estimates presented in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus from internally generated information and data. While we believe our estimates are reliable, they have not been verified by any independent sources. The estimates are based on a number of assumptions, including increasing investment in venture capital and private equity-backed companies. Actual results may differ from projections and estimates, and this market may not grow at the rates projected, or at all. If this market fails to grow at projected rates, our business and the market price of our securities, including our common stock, could be materially adversely affected.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities may be speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus supplement, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. Each of the risk factors could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of the 5,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering will be approximately $           million (or approximately $           million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option), after deducting the underwriting discount of approximately $          million (or approximately $           million if the underwriters fully exercise their overallotment option) payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $           payable by us.

We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering (i) to fund investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with our investment objective, (ii) to make acquisitions, and (iii) for other general corporate purposes.

We intend to seek to invest the net proceeds received in this offering as promptly as practicable after receipt thereof consistent with our investment objective. We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds from any offering of our securities will be used as described above within three to six months, depending on market conditions. We anticipate that the remainder will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including potential payments or distributions to shareholders. Pending such use, we will invest a portion of the net proceeds of this offering in short-term investments, such as cash and cash equivalents, which we expect will earn yields substantially lower than the interest income that we anticipate receiving in respect of investments in accordance with our investment objective.

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth (i) our actual capitalization as of March 31, 2019, and (ii) our capitalization as adjusted to give effect to the sale of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock in this offering (assuming no exercise of the overallotment option) at a price of $           per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $           million payable by us and estimated offering expenses of approximately $           payable by us. You should read this table together with “Use of Proceeds.”

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “HTGC.”

The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock, the sales price as a percentage of NAV and the distributions declared by us for each fiscal quarter. The stock quotations are interdealer quotations and do not include markups, markdowns or commissions.

The last reported price for our common stock on June 10, 2019 was $12.93 per share.

Shares of BDCs may trade at a market price that is less than the value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount from NAV or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term are separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV will decrease. At times, our shares of common stock have traded at a premium to NAV and at times our shares of common stock have traded at a discount to the net assets attributable to those shares. It is not possible to predict whether the shares offered hereby will trade at, above, or below NAV.

UNDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated June      , 2019, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters named below, for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. are acting as representatives, the following respective numbers of shares of common stock at the offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement:

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the shares of common stock in the offering if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the over-allotment option described below, subject to certain conditions precedent. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering may be terminated.

The underwriters propose to offer the shares of common stock offered hereby from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter-market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt and acceptance by the underwriters and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part. The underwriters may effect such transactions by selling the shares of common stock to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriter and/or purchasers of shares of common stock for whom they may act as agents or to whom they may sell as principal. The difference between the price at which the underwriters purchase shares and the price at which the underwriters resell such shares, which may include a commission equivalent of up to $           per share, may be deemed underwriting compensation.

We have granted to the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase on a pro rata basis up to 750,000 additional shares at a price of $           per share. The option may be exercised only to cover any over-allotments of common stock.

The following table summarizes the compensation and estimated expenses that we will pay.

Because the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, views the common stock offered hereby as interests in a direct participation program, the offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of FINRA Rule 2310. Investor suitability with respect to the common stock should be judged similarly to suitability with respect to other securities that are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.

We expect that our expenses for this offering will be approximately $          (including up to $10,000 in reimbursement of the underwriters’ counsel fees in connection with the review of the terms of the offering by FINRA), excluding underwriting discounts and commissions in connection with this offering.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in that respect.

We have agreed that we will not directly or indirectly sell, offer to sell, enter into any agreement to sell, or otherwise dispose of, any equity or equity related securities of the Company or securities convertible into such securities, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, except issuances of common stock pursuant to any employee or director compensation, dividend reinvestment, savings, or benefit plan, or distributions to the Company’s directors upon that individual’s election to receive shares of the Company’s common stock in lieu of a cash retainer.

Our directors and senior executive officers have agreed that during the 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to certain exceptions, they will not, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. offer to sell, contract to sell, or otherwise sell, dispose of, loan, pledge or grant any rights with respect to (collectively, a “Disposition”), any shares of our common stock, any options or warrants to purchase any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or redeemable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock now owned or hereafter acquired directly by such person or with respect to which such person has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition. The foregoing restriction has been expressly agreed to preclude the holder of such securities from engaging in any hedging or other transaction which is designed to or reasonably expected to lead to or result in a Disposition of securities during the “lock-up” period, even if such securities would be disposed of by someone other than the holder. Such prohibited hedging or other transactions would include, without limitation, any short sale (whether or not against the box) or any purchase, sale or grant of any right (including, without limitation, any put or call option) with respect to any securities. These agreements will not cover shares acquired in connection with the participation in the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, shares acquired upon the exercise of stock options pursuant to the Company’s stock option plan, pledges of securities in connection with their purchase upon the exercise of employee stock options following termination of employment with the Company, the sale of shares in connection with net issuances of shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of shares of restricted stock or the exercise of stock options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock that were granted pursuant to the Company’s equity compensation plans, or the exercise or conversion of any security into shares of our common stock so long as the shares received remain subject to the “lock-up.” The agreements also exclude dispositions (i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, (ii) as a distribution to partners or shareholders of such person (or in the case of a trust, to the beneficiaries thereof), (iii) to any corporation controlled by the transferor, (iv) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the transferor or their immediate family, provided that such transfer does not involve a disposition for value other than for the benefit of the transferor’s immediate family, and (v) charitable dispositions of securities that do not involve a disposition for value, provided that in each case (i)-(v) the recipient agrees in writing to be bound by the restrictions of the “lock-up.” Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. may, in their sole discretion, allow any of these parties to dispose of common stock or other securities prior to the expiration of the 30 day period. There are, however, no agreements between Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and the parties that would allow them to do so as of the date of this prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HTGC.”

Until the distribution of the common stock is completed, rules of the SEC may limit the ability of the underwriters and certain selling group members to bid for and purchase the common stock. As an exception to these rules, the underwriters are permitted to engage in certain transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock.

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, penalty and market making bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Act of 1934.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock. As a result the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE or otherwise and, if commenced may be discontinued at any time.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

The underwriters will deliver an accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement to all purchasers of shares of common stock in the short sales. The purchases of shares of common stock in short sales are entitled to the same remedies under the federal securities laws as any other purchaser of shares of common stock covered by this prospectus supplement.

The underwriters are not obligated to engage in any of the transactions described above. If it does engage in any of these transactions, it may discontinue them at any time.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past and may provide from time to time in the future in the ordinary course of their business certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and other services to Hercules or our portfolio companies for which they have received or will be entitled to receive separate fees. In particular, the underwriters or their affiliates may execute transactions with Hercules or on behalf of Hercules or any of our portfolio companies.

The underwriters or their affiliates may also trade in our securities, securities of our portfolio companies or other financial instruments related thereto for their own accounts or for the account of others and may extend loans or financing directly or through derivative transactions to us or any of our portfolio companies.

We may purchase securities of third parties from the underwriters or their affiliates after the offering. However, we have not entered into any agreement or arrangement regarding the acquisition of any such securities, and we may not purchase any such securities. We would only purchase any such securities if—among other things—we identified securities that satisfied our investment needs and completed our due diligence review of such securities.

After the date of this prospectus supplement, the underwriters and their affiliates may from time to time obtain information regarding specific portfolio companies or us that may not be available to the general public. Any such information is obtained by the underwriters and their affiliates in the ordinary course of its business and not in connection with the offering of the shares. In addition, after the offering period for the sale of the shares, the underwriters or their affiliates may develop analyses or opinions related to Hercules or our portfolio companies and buy or sell interests in one or more of our portfolio companies on behalf of their proprietary or client accounts and may engage in competitive activities. There is no obligation on behalf of these parties to disclose their respective analyses, opinions or purchase and sale activities regarding any portfolio company or regarding us to our noteholders or any other persons.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective 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. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the shares offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the shares offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

The principal business address of Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC is 1585 Broadway. New York, NY 10036. The principal address of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is 550 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. The principal address of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. is 787 7^th Avenue, Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10019.

Other Jurisdictions

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The common stock offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such common stock be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restriction relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP, New York, NY. Certain legal matters in connection with the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriters by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, New York, NY.

EXPERTS

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP located at Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California 94111, is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP audits the Company's financial statements and the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, and provides audit related services and tax services.  

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 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. 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. Pursuant to the Small Business Credit Availability Act, 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 be part of this prospectus supplement, and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information.

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings (including those made after the date of the filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part) we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until the termination of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus; 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:

These documents may also be accessed on our website at www.htgc.com. Information contained in, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement.

You may 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 or calling Investor Relations at the following address and telephone number:

Hercules Capital, Inc.

400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310

Palo Alto, California 94301

(650) 433-5578

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to our securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The registration statement contains additional information about us and our securities being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

We file annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC which are available on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

We maintain a website on the Internet at www.htgc.com. Except for the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the information on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We make available, free of charge, on our website our proxy statement, annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

PROSPECTUS

$850,000,000

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Warrants

Subscription Rights

Debt Securities

This prospectus relates to the offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $850,000,000 of shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, subscription rights or debt securities, which we refer to, collectively, as the “securities.” The preferred stock, debt securities, subscription rights and warrants offered hereby may be convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock. We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders in a rights offering, or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale, including auctions. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

In the event we offer common stock, the offering price per share will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering except (1) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (2) with the consent of the holders of the majority of our voting securities and approval of our Board of Directors, or (3) under such circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission may permit. See “Risk Factors” for more information.

We are a specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to high-growth, innovative venture capital-backed companies in a variety of technology, life sciences and sustainable and renewable technology industries. We primarily finance privately-held companies backed by leading venture capital and private equity firms and publicly-traded companies that lack access to public capital or are sensitive to equity ownership dilution. We source our investments through our principal office located in Palo Alto, CA, as well as through additional offices in Boston, MA, New York, NY, Washington, DC, Hartford, CT, Westport, CT, Chicago, IL, and San Diego, CA. Our goal is to be the leading structured debt financing provider for venture capital-backed companies in technology-related industries requiring sophisticated and customized financing solutions. We invest primarily in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. We use the term “structured debt with warrants” to refer to any debt investment, such as a senior or subordinated secured loan, that is coupled with an equity component, including warrants, options or other rights to purchase common or preferred stock. Our structured debt with warrants investments typically are secured by some or all of the assets of the portfolio company. We invest primarily in private companies but also have investments in public companies.

Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our warrant and equity-related investments. We are an internally-managed, non-diversified closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “HTGC.” On April 23, 2019, the last reported sale price of a share of our common stock on the NYSE, was $12.83. The net asset value per share of our common stock at December 31, 2018 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus on which we determined net asset value) was $9.90.

An investment in our securities may be speculative and involves risks including a heightened risk of total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 6 of this prospectus, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in any of our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectus to read about risks that you should consider before investing in our securities, including the risk of leverage.

Please read this prospectus and any free writing prospectus before investing and keep it for future reference. It contains important information about us that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in our securities. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The information is available free of charge by contacting us at 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310, Palo Alto, California 94301 or by telephone calling collect at (650) 289-3060 or on our website at www.htgc.com. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains such information.

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

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

The date of this prospectus is April 29, 2019

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, or any other information which we have referred you. We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to provide you with different information or to make representations as to matters not stated in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities by any person in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful for that person to make such an offer or solicitation or to any person in any jurisdiction to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. The information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of its date, and under no circumstances should the delivery of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, or any free writing prospectus or the sale of any securities imply that the information in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, or any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any later date or that the affairs of Hercules Capital, Inc. have not changed since the date hereof. This prospectus will be updated to reflect material changes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Hercules Capital, Inc., our logo and other trademarks of Hercules Capital, Inc. mentioned in this prospectus are the property of Hercules Capital, Inc. All other trademarks or trade names referred to in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using the “shelf” registration process as a “well-known seasoned issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Under the shelf registration process, which constitutes a delayed offering in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act, we may offer, from time to time, up to $850,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, subscription rights or debt securities on the terms to be determined at the time of the offering. We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker, into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers, including existing stockholders in a rights offering, or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. Please carefully read this prospectus and any such supplements together with the additional information described under “Incorporation by Reference” and “Available Information” sections before you make an investment decision.

A prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, the “Company,” “Hercules,” “HTGC,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Hercules Capital, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and its affiliated securitization trusts.

HERCULES CAPITAL, INC.

Business Overview

We are a specialty finance company focused on providing senior secured loans to high-growth, innovative venture capital-backed companies in a variety of technology, life sciences and sustainable and renewable technology industries. We source our investments through our principal office located in Palo Alto, CA, as well as through our additional offices in Boston, MA, New York, NY, Washington, DC, Hartford, CT, Westport, CT, Chicago, IL, and San Diego, CA.

Our goal is to be the leading structured debt financing provider for venture capital-backed companies in technology-related industries requiring sophisticated and customized financing solutions. Our strategy is to evaluate and invest in a broad range of technology-related industries including technology, drug discovery and development, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and sustainable and renewable technology and to offer a full suite of growth capital products. We focus our investments in companies active in the technology industry sub-sectors characterized by products or services that require advanced technologies, including, but not limited to, computer software and hardware, networking systems, semiconductors, semiconductor capital equipment, information technology infrastructure or services, internet consumer and business services, telecommunications, telecommunications equipment, renewable or alternative energy, media and life sciences. Within the life sciences sub-sector, we generally focus on medical devices, bio-pharmaceutical, drug discovery, drug delivery, health care services and information systems companies. Within the sustainable and renewable technology sub-sector, we focus on sustainable and renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency and monitoring technologies. We refer to all of these companies as “technology-related” companies and intend, under normal circumstances, to invest at least 80% of the value of our total assets in such businesses.

We invest primarily in structured debt with warrants and, to a lesser extent, in senior debt and equity investments. We invest primarily in private companies but also have investments in public companies. We use the term “structured debt with warrants” to refer to any debt investment, such as a senior or subordinated secured loan, that is coupled with an equity component, including warrants, options or other rights to purchase common or preferred stock. Our structured debt with warrants investments typically are secured by some or all of the assets of the portfolio company. We also provide “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine both senior and mezzanine debt, generally in a first lien position.

Our investment objective is to maximize our portfolio total return by generating current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our warrant and equity-related investments. Our primary business objectives are to increase our net income, net operating income and net asset value, or NAV, by investing in structured debt with warrants and equity of venture capital-backed companies in technology-related industries with attractive current yields and the potential for equity appreciation and realized gains. Our equity ownership in our portfolio companies may exceed 25% of the voting securities of such companies, which represents a controlling interest under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. In some cases, we receive the right to make additional equity investments in our portfolio companies in connection with future equity financing rounds. Capital that we provide directly to venture capital-backed companies in technology-related industries is generally used for growth and general working capital purposes as well as in select cases for acquisitions or recapitalizations.

Corporate Information

We are an internally-managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company, or a BDC, under the 1940 Act. Effective January 1, 2006, we elected to be treated for tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code.

We are a Maryland corporation formed in December 2003 that began investment operations in September 2004. On February 25, 2016, we changed our name from “Hercules Technology Growth Capital, Inc.” to “Hercules Capital, Inc.”

Our principal executive offices are located at 400 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 310, Palo Alto, California 94301, and our telephone number is (650) 289-3060.

FEES AND EXPENSES

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. However, we caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. The footnotes to the fee table state which items are estimates. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by “you” or “us” or that “we” will pay fees or expenses, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in Hercules Capital, Inc.

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. These amounts are based upon our payment of annual operating expenses at the levels set forth in the table above and assume no additional leverage.

The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or lesser than those shown. Moreover, while the example assumes, as required by the applicable rules of the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or lesser than 5%. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all distributions at NAV, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan may receive shares valued at the market price in effect at that time. This price may be at, above or below NAV. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities may be speculative and involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (File No. 814-00702) and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus and before the termination of the offering of securities under this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any free writing prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in any prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus before acquiring any of such securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. Each of the risk factors could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The matters discussed in this prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference herein, and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, including the documents we incorporate by reference therein, as well as in future oral and written statements by management of Hercules Capital, Inc., that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. We generally identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new investments, achieve certain margins and levels of profitability, the availability of additional capital, and the ability to maintain certain debt to asset ratios. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans or objectives will be achieved. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus include statements as to:

You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus, any free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this prospectus.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from selling our securities to fund investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with our investment objectives, to make acquisitions, to retire certain debt obligations and for other general corporate purposes. The supplement to this prospectus or any free writing prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of proceeds from such offering.

We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds from any offering of our securities will be used as described above within twelve months, but in no event longer than two years. Pending such uses and investments, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds of any offering, pending full investment, are held in lower yielding short-term instruments.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “HTGC.”

The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock, the sales price as a percentage of NAV and the distributions declared by us for each fiscal quarter. The stock quotations are interdealer quotations and do not include markups, markdowns or commissions.

The last reported price for our common stock on April 23, 2019 was $12.83 per share.

Shares of BDCs may trade at a market price that is less than the value of the net assets attributable to those shares. The possibility that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount from NAV or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term are separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV will decrease. At times, our shares of common stock have traded at a premium to NAV and at times our shares of common stock have traded at a discount to the net assets attributable to those shares. It is not possible to predict whether the shares offered hereby will trade at, above, or below NAV.

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

(dollars in thousands)

The following tables set forth certain information as of December 31, 2018 regarding each portfolio company in which we had a debt or equity investment. Other than these investments, our only formal relationship with our portfolio companies is the offer to make available significant managerial assistance. In addition, we may receive rights to observe the Board of Directors’ meetings of our portfolio companies. Amounts are presented in thousands.

(dollars in thousands)