Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments
Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments of $9,416,462 for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily due to increases in the fair value of our senior secured loans to eSilicon Corporation and Realwear, Inc., our preferred stock in Aria Systems, Inc. and our warrants for preferred stock of Aria Systems, Inc. and eSilicon Corporation. This increase was offset by the decreased in the fair fvalue of senior secured loans to Aginity, Inc., CareCloud Corporation, and Mojix Inc., and our warrants for common or preferred stock of All Clear ID, Inc., Mojix Inc. and zSpace, Inc. The net change in unrealized depreciation on investments of $8,693 for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily due to increases in the fair value of our senior secured loans to AllClear ID, Inc. and eSilicon Corporation, our preferred stock in Aria Systems, Inc. and our warrants for preferred stock of Aria Systems, Inc., eSilicon Corporation, Mojix Inc. and ShareThis, Inc. This increase was partially offset by decreases in the fair value of our senior secured loans to Aginity, Inc., Aria Systems, Inc., CareCloud Corporation, and Mojix Inc., and our warrants for common or preferred stock of AllClear ID, Inc., Aspen Group Inc., Mojix Inc. and SendtoNews Video, Inc. The net change in unrealized appreciation on investments of $405,251 for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to an increase in the fair value of our warrants for common stock of Aspen Group, Inc.
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
We had a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $27,646,400 for the year ended December 31, 2019, as compared to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $11,757,516 and a net decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $1,436,295 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 from the year ended December 31, 2018 is attributable to increased interest income earned on our portfolio investments and the gain on our warrants for preferred stock or units on Drawbridge, Inc. and Mobius Imagine, LLC. The net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 from the year ended December 31, 2017 is attributable to increased interest income earned on our portfolio investments and the gain on our warrants for preferred stock of Placecast, Inc. The net decrease in net assets resulting from operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was primarily due to management fees and professional fees incurred, partially offset by interest and other income earned from our portfolio investments and the net change in unrealized appreciation related to our warrants for common stock of Aspen Group, Inc.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
We generate cash primarily from the net proceeds of the offering of our securities and cash flows from our operations, including investment sales and repayments as well as income earned on investments and cash equivalents. We may also fund a portion of our investments through borrowings under the Credit Facilities (discussed below). We expect that we may also generate cash from any financing arrangements we may enter into in the future and any future offerings of our equity or debt securities. We may fund a portion of our investments through borrowings from banks and issuances of senior securities. Our primary use of funds is to make investments in eligible portfolio companies, pay our operating expenses and make distributions to holders of our common stock.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, cash and cash equivalents increased to $45,799,672, from $2,527,474 as of December 31, 2019. This increase was primarily the result of the purchase of investments in portfolio companies for $252,083,775 and U.S. Treasury Bills for $315,836,640 and was partially offset by sales of investments in portfolio companies, the maturity of U.S. Treasury Bills the issuance of common stock, and borrowings under our Credit Facilities.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents decreased to $2,527,474, from $8,141,670 as of December 31, 2018. This decrease was primarily the result of the purchase of investments in portfolio companies for $168,111,471 and U.S. Treasury Bills for $270,444,962 and was partially offset by sales of investments in portfolio companies, the maturity of U.S. Treasury Bills the issuance of common stock, and borrowings under our Credit Facilities.
Equity Activity
We have the authority to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share.