on investments. Funds I, II, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, and IX and to a lesser extent Fund V, utilized leverage to increase returns to investors. If the Fund is unable to utilize leverage to the same extent as the Prior Debt Fund Entities, or unable to utilize leverage at all, there could be a material difference in the Fund’s return to investors as compared to the Prior Debt Fund Entities.
It is possible that market conditions could decrease the demand for venture loans. Furthermore, market conditions could also adversely impact the ability of the Fund’s borrowers to meet their obligations to the Fund and the value of the Fund’s direct investments in companies. Most of the companies in which the Fund will invest will not have achieved profitability and will require substantial equity financing to satisfy their continuing growth and working capital requirements. An economic downturn could decrease the demand for such borrower’s products and technology, thereby impairing such borrower’s financial condition and ability to raise additional equity financing from outside investors. This could result in an increase in borrower defaults under their obligations to the Fund, or a decrease in the value of the Fund’s direct equity investments. U.S. and global economic conditions could deteriorate and remain weak for an extended period of time.
Other Global Economic Risks. In addition to the crises in the financial markets discussed above, the ability of the Fund to provide an acceptable return may be adversely affected by other economic and business factors to which the U.S. market place is subject. These factors, which generally are beyond the control of the Investment Manager, include: general economic conditions, such as inflation and fluctuations in general business conditions; the impact of further terrorist attacks within or against the United States; the effects of strikes, labor disputes and domestic and foreign political unrest; and uncertainty of the recovery of the U.S. economy.
Public Health Risks and COVID-19. Epidemics and pandemics may materially and adversely affect the global economy and the Company’s and the Fund’s performance. A new coronavirus first identified in late December of 2019 (officially named coronavirus 2019 by the World Health Organization and abbreviated “COVID-19”), has spread across much of the world, including the United States, resulting in various disruptions, including travel and border restrictions, quarantines and “shelter at home” orders, event and service cancellations, the extended shutdown of business facilities, universities and schools, business closures, supply chain disruptions, lower consumer demand, and market volatility and uncertainty. In addition, since the outbreak of COVID-19, commerce in affected countries has slowed considerably. It is unknown how global supply chains, public and private capital markets, and portfolio companies may be affected if such an epidemic persists for an extended period of time. The COVID-19 pandemic may cause portfolio companies to incur loss of revenue and additional expenses and delays, thereby leading to a material adverse impact on their businesses, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic may make portfolio companies’ access to equity or debt investment capital substantially more difficult or only on substantially less favorable terms than customarily available, thereby leading to a material adverse impact on their businesses, operating results and financial condition, as well as a material adverse impact on the Company’s potential investment returns. If unabated, the COVID-19 pandemic may also create global economic uncertainty, which in turn may cause portfolio companies or their partners, suppliers and potential customers to closely monitor their costs and reduce their spending budget, and may cause portfolio company equity or debt investors to reduce, slow or eliminate their investment or lending activities. The availability of investment opportunities to the Company and the Fund may be adversely impacted by reductions of economic activity as a result of COVID-19, including as a result of the responses of businesses and local and national governments. The impact of COVID-19 could be significant on the economic environment of markets in which the Company and the Fund invest, which could affect the availability, purchase price, and returns of the Company’s and the Fund’s investments. The availability of equity or debt investment capital for portfolio companies may be adversely impacted by uncertainties in financial markets and reductions of economic activity as a result of COVID-19, including as a result of the responses of businesses and local and national governments. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts the Company’s results will depend on future developments, which cannot be predicted with any certainty, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of COVID-19, the ultimate geographic spread of COVID-19, the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions imposed, business closures or general business disruption, and the actions taken throughout the world, including in domestic markets, to contain COVID-19 or treat its impact. As a result, the performance of the Company could be adversely affected.
Climate Change and Natural Disasters. Climate change and related legislation, regulation and accords, both domestic and international, intended to control the impact of climate change may produce direct or indirect adverse consequences to the Fund’s investments, significantly affecting their value. Extreme weather patterns or natural