(Nasdaq: RAND) (“Rand” or the “Company”), a business development company providing alternative financing for lower middle market companies, announced its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025.Rand Capital Corporation

“2025 was a year of disciplined execution and deliberate capital allocation for Rand,” said Daniel P. Penberthy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand. “We monetized a meaningful portion of our portfolio, strengthened the balance sheet, and entered 2026 with robust liquidity and no debt outstanding. While certain portfolio repayments moderated near-term investment income, our continued focus on disciplined underwriting, selective portfolio construction, and expanding our base of income-producing assets has positioned Rand with the flexibility to pursue attractive risk-adjusted opportunities as M&A market conditions continue to evolve favorably. We remain committed to prudently scaling the portfolio and delivering sustainable long-term shareholder value through active portfolio management and consistent capital deployment.”

Fourth Quarter Review(compared with the prior-year period unless otherwise noted)

2025 Review

Portfolio and Investment Activity

As of December 31, 2025, Rand’s investment portfolio had a fair value of $48.5 million across 20 portfolio companies, representing a decrease of $22.3 million, or 32%, from December 31, 2024. The decline was driven primarily by portfolio company loan repayments and valuation adjustments across multiple holdings. At year-end 2025, the portfolio was comprised of approximately 79% debt investments and 21% equity investments. The annualized weighted average yield on debt investments, including PIK interest, decreased to 11.3% from 13.8% at year-end 2024, primarily due to increased non-accrual rates on debt investments during 2025 and changes in portfolio mix following repayments and new investment activity.

Fourth Quarter 2025:

Full year 2025:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Rand closed the year with $4.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, a significant increase from $835,000 at year-end 2024. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under its senior secured revolving credit facility, leaving $19.2 million of available capacity. The facility, which matures in 2027, permits up to $25 million in borrowings subject to compliance with borrowing conditions and portfolio eligibility requirements.

The Company did not repurchase any outstanding common stock during 2025.

Dividends

In 2025, Rand paid total dividends of $1.72 per share in cash.

On February 25, 2026, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share, payable on or about March 25, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 11, 2026.

Webcast and Conference Call

Rand will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, to review its financial results. The review will be accompanied by a slide presentation, which will be available on Rand’s website atwww.randcapital.com www.randcapital.com

A telephonic replay will be available from 4:30 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Thursday, March 19, 2026. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin 13758207. A transcript of the call will also be posted once available.

ABOUT RAND CAPITAL

Rand Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: RAND) is an externally managed business development company (BDC). The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total return to its shareholders with current income and capital appreciation by focusing its debt and related equity investments in privately-held, lower middle market companies with committed and experienced managements in a broad variety of industries. Rand primarily invests in businesses that have sustainable, differentiated and market-proven products, revenue of more than $10 million and EBITDA in excess of $1.5 million. The Company’s investment activities are managed by its external investment adviser, Rand Capital Management, LLC. Additional information can be found at the Company’s website where it regularly posts information:randcapital.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than historical facts, including but not limited to statements regarding the strategy of the Company and its outlook; statements regarding the implementation of the Company’s strategy and the growth of its dividend; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words or expressions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (2) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; and (3) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Rand’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Rand’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed with the SEC. Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded as Rand’s current plans, estimates and beliefs. Except as required by applicable law, Rand assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP Total Expense to Non-GAAP Adjusted Expenses

(Unaudited)

In addition to reporting total expenses, which is a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) financial measure, Rand presents adjusted expenses, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted expenses is defined as GAAP total expenses removing the effect of any expenses/(credits) for capital gains incentive fees accrual. GAAP total expenses is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that adjusted expenses provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Investment Income per Share to

Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share

(Unaudited)

In addition to reporting Net Investment Income per Share, which is a GAAP financial measure, the Company presents Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share is defined as GAAP Net Investment Income per Share removing the effect of any expenses/(credits) for capital gains incentive fees. GAAP Net Investment Income per Share is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The per share amounts for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2025 were computed using 2,969,814 and 2,945,315 weighted average shares outstanding, respectively, reflecting a higher number of shares outstanding following the fourth quarter 2024 dividend, which was paid in part using shares of common stock. This compared with 2,581,021 weighted average shares outstanding for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

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Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries (Audited)

	2025			2024
ASSETS
Investments at fair value:
Control investments (cost of $6,563,940 and $6,188,940, respectively)	$	1,400,000		$	2,500,000
Affiliate investments (cost of $40,867,599 and $42,488,804, respectively)		36,775,685			51,668,144
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments (cost of $9,630,860 and $19,442,491, respectively)		10,304,811			16,649,897
Total investments, at fair value (cost of $57,062,399 and $68,120,235, respectively)		48,480,496			70,818,041
Cash and cash equivalents		4,208,948			834,805
Interest receivable (net of allowance of $25,337 and $0, respectively)		168,039			357,530
Prepaid income taxes		283,581			329,365
Deferred tax asset, net		—			2,161
Other assets		54,248			115,531
Total assets	$	53,195,312		$	72,457,433
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (NET ASSETS)
Liabilities:
Due to investment adviser	$	519,287		$	2,182,846
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		101,975			92,568
Line of credit		—			600,000
Capital gains incentive fees		—			1,565,000
Deferred revenue		390,597			516,441
Dividend payable		—			2,168,058
Total liabilities		1,011,859			7,124,913

Stockholders’ equity (net assets):
Common stock, $0.10 par; shares authorized 100,000,000; shares issued: 3,037,709 at 12/31/25 and 2,648,916 at 12/31/24; shares outstanding: 2,969,814 at 12/31/25 and 2,581,021 at 12/31/24		303,771			264,892
Capital in excess of par value		64,063,157			55,419,620
Stock dividends distributable: 0 shares at 12/31/25 and 388,793 shares at 12/31/24		—			8,672,231
Treasury stock, at cost: 67,895 shares at 12/31/25 and 12/31/24		(1,566,605	)		(1,566,605	)
Total distributable earnings		(10,616,870	)		2,542,382
Total stockholders’ equity (net assets) (per share - 2025: $17.57, 2024: $25.31)		52,183,453			65,332,520
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (net assets)	$	53,195,312		$	72,457,433

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations

	(Unaudited)						(Audited)
	For the Quarter Ended December 31,						For the Year Ended December 31,
		2025			2024			2025			2024
Investment income:
Interest from portfolio companies:
Control investments	$	8,896		$	183,239		$	35,292		$	733,774
Affiliate investments		840,772			1,217,076			4,565,668			4,739,802
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments		222,981			573,164			1,088,551			2,254,373
Total interest from portfolio companies		1,072,649			1,973,479			5,689,511			7,727,949
Interest from other investments:
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments		56,241			185			176,668			2,356
Total interest from other investments		56,241			185			176,668			2,356
Dividend and other investment income:
Affiliate investments		109,707			13,125			122,832			52,500
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments		—			—			—			242,760
Total dividend and other investment income		109,707			13,125			122,832			295,260
Fee income:
Control investments		4,516			4,516			18,063			18,063
Affiliate investments		38,183			118,886			285,543			450,255
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments		3,772			27,272			182,275			65,402
Total fee income		46,471			150,674			485,881			533,720
Total investment income		1,285,068			2,137,463			6,474,892			8,559,285
Expenses:
Base management fee		176,391			277,628			830,630			1,212,160
Income based incentive fees		—			—			186,178			178,218
Capital gains incentive fees		—			(1,054,000	)		(1,565,000	)		1,012,300
Interest expense		25,209			61,480			112,528			1,089,678
Professional fees		258,162			163,363			742,439			600,298
Stockholders and office operating		57,628			56,053			311,138			265,617
Directors' fees		66,550			66,550			263,500			263,500
Administrative fees		50,700			40,000			199,950			158,167
Insurance		9,972			10,467			41,358			44,358
Corporate development		950			2,173			7,488			12,986
Bad debt expense		20,000			—			58,462			—
Total expenses		665,562			(376,286	)		1,188,671			4,837,282
Net investment income before income taxes		619,506			2,513,749			5,286,221			3,722,003
Income tax expense (benefit), including excise tax expense		19,523			298,097			(2,690	)		296,926
Net investment income		599,983			2,215,652			5,288,911			3,425,077
Net realized gain (loss) on sales and dispositions of investments:
Affiliate investments		684			16,582			(1,923,974	)		6,165,419
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments		—			—			(77,339	)		4,959,445
Net realized gain (loss) on sales and dispositions of investments		684			16,582			(2,001,313	)		11,124,864
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments:
Control investments		(600,000	)		(2,565,130	)		(1,475,000	)		(2,565,130	)
Affiliate investments		222,592			(2,195,837	)		(10,804,709	)		1,400,942
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments		1,000,000			(524,522	)		1,000,000			(4,898,112	)
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation before income taxes		622,592			(5,285,489	)		(11,279,709	)		(6,062,300	)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		136,978			(107,197	)		47,509			(339,971	)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments		485,614			(5,178,292	)		(11,327,218	)		(5,722,329	)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		486,298			(5,161,710	)		(13,328,531	)		5,402,535
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations	$	1,086,281		$	(2,946,058	)	$	(8,039,620	)	$	8,827,612
Weighted average shares outstanding		2,969,814			2,581,021			2,945,315			2,581,021
Basic and diluted net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations per share	$	0.37		$	(1.14	)	$	(2.73	)	$	3.42

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries (Audited)

	2025			2024
Net assets at beginning of year	$	65,332,520		$	60,815,213
Net investment income		5,288,911			3,425,077
Net realized (loss) gain on sales and dispositions of investments		(2,001,313	)		11,124,864
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments		(11,327,218	)		(5,722,329	)
Net (decrease) increase in net assets from operations		(8,039,620	)		8,827,612
Declaration of dividends		(5,109,447	)		(12,982,536	)
Stock dividends distributable		—			8,672,231
Net assets at end of year	$	52,183,453		$	65,332,520

	Three months endedDecember 31, 2025		Three months endedDecember 31, 2024			Year endedDecember 31, 2025			Year endedDecember 31, 2024

Total expenses	$	665,562	$	(376,286	)	$	1,188,671		$	4,837,282
Exclude expenses (credits) for capital gains incentive fees		-		(1,054,000	)		(1,565,000	)		1,012,300
Adjusted total expenses	$	665,562	$	677,714		$	2,753,671		$	3,824,982

	Three months endedDecember 31, 2025		Three months endedDecember 31, 2024			Year endedDecember 31, 2025			Year endedDecember 31, 2024

Net investment income per share	$	0.20	$	0.86		$	1.80		$	1.33
Exclude expenses (credits) for capital gains incentive fees per share		-		(0.41	)		(0.54	)		0.39
Adjusted net investment income per share	$	0.20	$	0.45		$	1.26		$	1.72

Total investment income was $1.3 million, a decrease of $852,000, or 40%, compared with the same period last year. The change was primarily driven by a 46% reduction in interest income from portfolio companies, reflecting the repayment of five debt instruments over the past year. Lower fee income also contributed to the year-over-year decrease. Payment-in-kind (PIK) interest remained a component of investment income during the quarter, as certain portfolio companies continued to utilize this feature. For the fourth quarter of 2025, non-cash PIK interest totaled $308,000, representing 24% of total investment income, compared with 30% in the prior-year period.
Total expenses were $666,000 for the fourth quarter, compared with a net credit of $376,000 in the prior-year period. The variance was driven primarily by capital gains incentive fees, as the fourth quarter of the prior year included a $1.1 million credit related to portfolio valuation changes, whereas no capital gains incentive fee was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Adjusted expenses, which exclude capital gains incentive fees, and is a non-GAAP financial measure, were down slightly to $666,000 compared with $678,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024.See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted expenses.
Net investment income was $600,000, or $0.20 per share, compared with $2.2 million, or $0.86 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2024. The per-share amount for the fourth quarter of 2025 was calculated based on 2,969,814 weighted average shares outstanding, reflecting the increase in shares outstanding following the fourth quarter 2024 dividend, which was distributed in the first quarter of 2025 and partially paid in common stock. This compared with 2,581,021 weighted average shares outstanding for the fourth quarter of 2024.See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted net investment income per share.

Total investment income was $6.5 million compared with $8.6 million in the prior year. The change was largely due to several interest-yielding investments that were repaid during the last year and a slowdown in deal originations.
Total expenses declined $3.6 million, or 75%, to $1.2 million, which reflected a $2.6 million decrease in the capital gains incentive fee expense, a $977,000 decrease in interest expense, and a $382,000 decrease in base management fees payable to the Company’s external investment advisor.
Excluding the capital gains incentive fee accrual, adjusted expenses, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, decreased $1.1 million to $2.8 million in 2025.See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted expenses.
Net investment income per share of $1.80 for 2025 increased 35% over $1.33 per share in the prior year. Excluding the capital gains incentive fee accrual, adjusted net investment income per share was $1.26 compared with $1.72 in 2024.See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted net investment income per share.
Net assets at December 31, 2025 were $52.2 million.

Committed $3.25 million to Bauer Sheet Metal and Fabricating Inc. (“Bauer”), consisting of a 13% term loan and warrants for a 12% ownership interest. Headquartered in Muskegon, MI, Bauer specializes in the fabrication and installation of sheet metal solutions serving the mining, marine, engineering, and other industrial sectors.New Investment:

Monetized select equity investments and received loan repayments that generated approximately $17.8 million in aggregate cash proceeds.
Invested a total of $6.6 million across five transactions, primarily in interest-earning assets. Activity included two new portfolio company investments and three follow-on investments supporting existing borrowers.