Gladstone Investment Corporation operates as a private equity fund, focusing its investments on the lower middle market. The firm employs various strategies, including funding acquisitions, supporting mature-stage enterprises, facilitating management buyouts, executing financial recapitalizations, and assisting companies with refinancing their existing debt. The fund's capital deployment spans a broad spectrum of securities. This includes senior debt instruments such as conventional loans, senior term loans, lines of credit, and senior notes. It also invests in senior subordinated debt (e.g., senior subordinated loans and notes) and junior subordinated debt (e.g., subordinated notes and mezzanine financing). Additionally, Gladstone acquires equity interests through limited liability company interests, warrants, and options. Notably, the firm does not invest in start-up companies. Gladstone primarily targets businesses within the manufacturing, consumer products, and business services/distribution sectors. It seeks out small to medium-sized companies based in the United States. Financially, the fund typically provides debt investments ranging from $5 million to $30 million and equity investments between $10 million and $40 million. Ideal portfolio companies usually have annual sales revenues of $20 million to $100 million and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) between $3 million and $20 million. While often preferring a minority equity stake and generally seeking a board seat within its portfolio companies, Gladstone also shows an inclination to acquire majority control in certain investments. The firm generally holds its investments for approximately seven years, with common exit strategies involving a sale or recapitalization, an initial public offering (IPO), or a sale to another entity.