Investment Advisor for Hercules Capital Announces Successful Closing of Fourth Private Fund with a Record Value of $1.6 Billion
Hercules Capital, a leading specialty finance provider, has launched its fourth institutional private credit fund, named the Hercules Growth Lending Fund IV LP (Fund IV). The new fund primarily focuses on venture and growth-stage credit investments in the technology and life sciences sectors.
Scott Bluestein, the CEO and CIO of Hercules, expressed confidence in the strength of the company's differentiated investment platform for venture and growth stage lending. He emphasized that Fund IV will be used to support companies at critical stages of growth in these sectors, leveraging Hercules Capital's significant scale and industry relationships.
Fund IV aims to provide debt financing to venture and growth-stage companies backed by top-tier venture capital firms. This move is designed to facilitate capital access for businesses that are scaling but may not yet be suitable for traditional bank financing or public markets.
As of March 31, 2025, Hercules Capital and its adviser collectively manage over $5.0 billion in assets. Fund IV represents approximately $1.6 billion in committed debt and equity capital across four funds. Since inception, Hercules Capital has committed more than $22 billion to over 680 portfolio companies, indicating extensive experience and a broad investment footprint in its target sectors.
The firm holds a BBB- investment grade corporate credit rating from Fitch, reflecting a strong credit track record, operational consistency, and strong funding flexibility, which underpins the risk management aspects of Fund IV’s lending approach.
Fund IV's launch received strong investor support, reflecting confidence in Hercules’ disciplined investment platform and sector focus. The success of Fund IV will contribute to Hercules Capital's total managed capital, which currently stands at approximately $1.6 billion across all four funds.
Bluestein also expressed gratitude for the long-term support of Hercules' investors across its platform. However, he did not provide specifics about the amount raised in the first close of Fund IV.
In summary, Hercules Growth Lending Fund IV LP specializes in venture and growth-stage credit investments primarily in technology and life sciences, utilizing disciplined lending and industry relationships to support innovative companies scaling toward maturity. The fund's robust capital commitments, strong asset base, and stable credit ratings indicate solid performance and investor confidence.
Investing in the business sectors of technology and life sciences, Hercules Growth Lending Fund IV LP (Fund IV) will focus on providing finance for venture and growth-stage companies, leveraging Hercules Capital's extensive investing experience and strong industry relationships. Fund IV aims to facilitate capital access for innovative companies that are scaling but may not yet be suitable for traditional bank financing or public markets.
