SBIA Makes Case for Small Business Investment at SEC

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA), the leading association of lower middle market private equity funds and investors, commends the House Financial Services Committee for reviewing legislation that provides an independent voice for small businesses and small business investors at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Arguing the case for SBIA was Christopher M. Mathieu, Chief Financial Officer and co-Founder of Horizon Technology Finance Corporation HRZN, a specialty finance company that invests in development and growth stage companies in the technology and life sciences industries.

In his testimony this morning, Mr. Mathieu spoke of the need to create a more powerful backing for small businesses at the SEC. "The legislation would put a permanent structure in place at the SEC to give a stronger voice to small business and capital formation issues."

The SEC Small Business Advocate Act strengthens the voice of small business at the SEC by making significant changes to the way the SEC hears from small business stakeholders; responds to stakeholder requests; and makes recommendations to Congress and the SEC to improve the ability of small businesses to access capital.

For a copy of Mr. Mathieu's testimony, go to the House Financial Services website by clicking here.

Mr. Mathieu is an original member of the team that founded Horizon in 2003 and is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. Chris is a co-founder and also serves as SVP, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Horizon Technology Finance Corporation HRZN, a public, externally-managed Business Development Company. He has been involved in the accounting, finance and venture debt industries for more than 25 years.

About the Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA)

The Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA) is the premier organization of lower middle market private equity funds and investors. SBIA works on behalf of its members as a tireless advocate for policies that promote competitive markets and robust domestic investment for growing small businesses. SBIA has been playing a pivotal role in promoting the growth and vitality of the private equity industry for over 50 years. For more information, visit www.SBIA.org or call (202) 628-5055.

About Horizon Technology Finance

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation is a leading specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to companies backed by venture capital firms within the technology, life science, healthcare information and services and cleantech industries. The investment objective of Horizon is to maximize total returns by generating current income from a portfolio of directly originated secured loans as well as capital appreciation from warrants that it receives when making such loans. Headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, Horizon has regional offices in Walnut Creek, California and Reston, Virginia. Horizon's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "HRZN". To learn more, please visit www.horizontechnologyfinancecorp.com.

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