Safeguard Scientifics (SFES) 10-K 7 Mar 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 28, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SAFEGUARD SCIENTIFICS INC
Entity Central Index Key	86,115
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		20,566,680
Trading Symbol	SFE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 237,111,560

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,751	$ 22,058
Marketable securities	4,452	8,384
Trading securities	3,761	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,644	2,109
Total current assets	33,608	32,551
Property and equipment, net	1,513	1,873
Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies	134,691	183,470
Long-term marketable securities	0	7,302
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336	6,336
Other assets	316	296
Total Assets	176,464	231,828
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	155	140
Accrued compensation and benefits	3,321	3,498
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	1,851	2,223
Convertible senior debentures - current	40,485	0
Total current liabilities	45,812	5,861
Other long-term liabilities	3,535	3,630
Credit facility	45,321	0
Convertible senior debentures - non-current	0	52,560
Total Liabilities	94,668	62,051
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value; 1,000 shares authorized	0	0
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 83,333 shares authorized; 21,573 issued at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	2,157	2,157
Additional paid-in capital	812,536	816,016
Treasury stock, at cost; 999 and 1,209 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively	(17,308)	(21,061)
Accumulated deficit	(715,476)	(626,904)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(113)	(431)
Total Equity	81,796	169,777
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 176,464	$ 231,828

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	83,333,000	83,333,000
Common stock, shares issued	21,573,000	21,573,000
Treasury Stock, Shares	999,000	1,209,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPER

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
General and administrative expense	$ 3,940		$ 3,758		$ 4,486		$ 4,947		$ 3,928		$ 4,687		$ 4,849		$ 5,228		$ 17,131	$ 18,692	$ 17,554
Operating loss	(3,940)		(3,758)		(4,486)		(4,947)		(3,928)		(4,687)		(4,849)		(5,228)		(17,131)	(18,692)	(17,554)
Other income (loss), net	(120)		(379)		(89)		249		64		(2,405)		659		0		(339)	(1,682)	217
Interest income	984		1,004		1,087		801		615		513		527		420		3,876	2,075	1,935
Interest expense	(2,667)		(2,643)		(2,112)		(1,198)		(1,169)		(1,161)		(1,155)		(1,149)		(8,620)	(4,634)	(4,523)
Equity income (loss)	(12,985)		(12,874)		(23,497)		(17,002)		(17,283)		(16,345)		43,794		(9,495)		(66,358)	671	(39,599)
Net loss before income taxes	(18,728)		(18,650)		(29,097)		(22,097)		(21,701)		(24,085)		38,976		(15,452)		(88,572)	(22,262)	(59,524)
Income tax benefit (expense)	0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0	0	0
Net loss	$ (18,728)		$ (18,650)		$ (29,097)		$ (22,097)		$ (21,701)		$ (24,085)		$ 38,976		$ (15,452)		$ (88,572)	$ (22,262)	$ (59,524)
Net loss per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (1.43)	[1]	$ (1.08)	[1]	$ (1.07)	[1]	$ (1.18)	[1]	$ 1.92	[1]	$ (0.76)	[1]	$ (4.34)	$ (1.09)	$ (2.85)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (1.43)	[1]	$ (1.08)	[1]	$ (1.07)	[1]	$ (1.18)	[1]	$ 1.70	[1]	$ (0.76)	[1]	$ (4.34)	$ (1.09)	$ (2.85)
Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share:
Basic (in shares)																	20,430	20,343	20,874
Diluted (in shares)																	20,430	20,343	20,874
[1]	Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (88,572)	$ (22,262)	$ (59,524)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before taxes:
Share of other comprehensive income (loss) of equity method investments	318	(185)	(246)
Total comprehensive loss	$ (88,254)	$ (22,447)	$ (59,770)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHAN

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		Total	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 257,827	$ (544,746)	$ 0	$ 2,157	$ 819,757	$ (19,341)
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014					21,573		921
Net loss		(59,524)	(59,524)
Stock options exercised, net of tax withholdings		676				(1,051)	$ 1,727
Stock options exercised, net (in shares)							83
Issuance of restricted stock, net of tax withholdings		158				(2,883)	$ 3,041
Issuance of restricted stock, net (in shares)							(149)
Stock-based compensation expense		1,611				1,611
Repurchase of common stock		(4,997)					$ (4,997)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)							304
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(246)		(246)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015		195,505	(604,270)	(246)	$ 2,157	817,434	$ (19,570)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015					21,573		993
Cumulative effect adjustment	[1]		(372)			372
Net loss		(22,262)	(22,262)
Stock options exercised, net of tax withholdings		(318)				(1,117)	$ 799
Stock options exercised, net (in shares)							46
Issuance of restricted stock, net of tax withholdings		32				(3,067)	$ 3,099
Issuance of restricted stock, net (in shares)							(162)
Stock-based compensation expense		2,394				2,394
Repurchase of common stock		(5,389)					$ (5,389)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)							424
Other comprehensive income (loss)		(185)		(185)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016		169,777	(626,904)	(431)	$ 2,157	816,016	$ (21,061)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016					21,573		1,209
Net loss		(88,572)	(88,572)
Stock options exercised, net of tax withholdings		(1)				(97)	$ 96
Stock options exercised, net (in shares)							6
Issuance of restricted stock, net of tax withholdings		(38)				(3,695)	$ 3,657
Issuance of restricted stock, net (in shares)							(204)
Stock-based compensation expense		1,138				1,138
Repurchase of convertible senior debentures		(826)				(826)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		318		318
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 81,796	$ (715,476)	$ (113)	$ 2,157	$ 812,536	$ (17,308)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017					21,573		999
[1]	Cumulative effect adjustment reflects adoption of ASU 2016-09 as of January 1, 2016.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (88,572)	$ (22,262)	$ (59,524)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation	322	328	190
Amortization of debt discount	2,542	1,604	1,472
Equity (income) loss	66,358	(671)	39,599
Other (income) loss, net	339	1,682	(217)
Stock-based compensation expense	1,138	2,394	1,611
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	(3,560)	(1,521)	(923)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other	628	(215)	43
Net cash used in operating activities	(20,805)	(18,661)	(17,749)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies	(15,101)	(52,431)	(70,186)
Proceeds from sales of and distributions from companies	16,604	73,965	25,058
Advances and loans to companies	(22,867)	(27,967)	(15,208)
Repayment of advances and loans to companies	0	1,741	1,318
Increase in marketable securities	0	(21,194)	(29,755)
Decrease in marketable securities	11,237	46,315	33,640
Capital expenditures	0	(432)	(1,856)
Other, net	0	64	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(10,127)	20,061	(56,989)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from credit facility	50,000	0	0
Issuance costs of credit facility	(5,696)	0	0
Repurchase of convertible senior debentures	(14,455)	0	0
Tax withholdings related to equity-based awards	(223)	(460)	0
Issuance of Company common stock, net	(1)	5	676
Repurchase of Company common stock	0	(5,389)	(4,997)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	29,625	(5,844)	(4,321)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	(1,307)	(4,444)	(79,059)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	28,394	32,838	111,897
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	$ 27,087	$ 28,394	$ 32,838

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Safeguard and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests in Companies The Company accounts for its interests in its partner companies using one of the following methods: consolidation, fair value, equity or cost. The accounting method applied is generally determined by the degree of the Company's influence over the entity, primarily determined by our voting interest in the entity. In addition to holding voting and non-voting equity and debt securities, the Company also periodically makes advances to its partner companies in the form of promissory notes which are included in the Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies line item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Consolidation Method. The Company generally accounts for partner companies in which it directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities under the consolidation method of accounting. Under this method, the Company includes the partner companies’ financial statements within the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The Company reflects participation of other stockholders in the net assets and in the income or losses of these consolidated partner companies in Equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in the Statements of Operations. Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest adjusts the Company’s consolidated operating results to reflect only the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the consolidated partner company. The Company accounts for results of operations and cash flows of a consolidated partner company through the latest date in which it holds a controlling interest. If the Company subsequently relinquishes control but retains an interest in the partner company, the accounting method is adjusted to the equity, cost or fair value method of accounting, as appropriate. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company did not hold a controlling interest in any of its partner companies. Fair Value Method. Unrealized gains and losses on the mark-to-market of the Company's holdings in fair value method companies and realized gains and losses on the sale of any holdings in fair value method companies are recognized in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company did not account for any of its partner companies under the fair value method. Equity Method. The Company accounts for partner companies whose results are not consolidated, but over which it exercises significant influence, under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to a partner company depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation of the Company on the partner company’s board of directors and the Company’s ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of a partner company, including voting rights associated with the Company’s holdings in common, preferred and other convertible instruments in the company. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company does not reflect a partner company’s financial statements within the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements; however, the Company’s share of the income or loss of such partner company is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of equity method partner companies in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any excess of the Company’s cost over its underlying interest in the net assets of equity method partner companies that is allocated to intangible assets is amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related intangible assets. The Company reflects its share of the income or loss of the equity method partner companies on a one quarter lag. This reporting lag could result in a delay in recognition of the impact of changes in the business or operations of these partner companies. When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method partner company is reduced to zero, the Company records no further losses in its Consolidated Statements of Operations unless the Company has an outstanding guarantee obligation or has committed additional funding to such equity method partner company. When such equity method partner company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it exceeds the amount of the Company’s share of losses not previously recognized. Cost Method. The Company accounts for partner companies not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method or fair value method under the cost method of accounting. Under the cost method, the Company does not include its share of the income or losses of partner companies in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of cost method partner companies in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounting Estimates The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. These estimates include the evaluation of the recoverability of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies, income taxes, stock-based compensation and commitments and contingencies. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Certain amounts recorded to reflect the Company’s share of income or losses of partner companies accounted for under the equity method are based on unaudited results of operations of those companies and may require adjustments in the future when audits of these entities’ financial statements are completed. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s accounting estimates with respect to the ultimate recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies could change in the near term and that the effect of such changes on the financial statements could be material. At December 31, 2017 , the Company believes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies is not impaired, although there can be no assurance that the Company’s future results will confirm this assessment, that a significant write-down or write-off will not be required in the future or that a significant loss will not be recorded in the future upon the sale of a company. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits that are readily convertible into cash. The Company determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Marketable securities consist of held-to-maturity securities, primarily consisting of government agency bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposits. Marketable securities with a maturity date greater than one year from the balance sheet date are considered long-term. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on cash equivalents and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. Restricted Cash Equivalents Restricted cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. Amounts included in restricted cash equivalents represent those required to be set aside by a contractual agreement with a bank as collateral for a letter of credit. The restriction on the cash will lapse when the related letter of credit is terminated or expires on March 19, 2019. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,751 $ 22,058 Long-term restricted cash equivalents 6,336 6,336 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents $ 27,087 $ 28,394 Financial Instruments The Company’s financial instruments (principally cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses) are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The Company’s long-term debt is carried at cost. Impairment of Ownership Interests In and Advances to Partner Companies On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than quarterly, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its equity and cost method partner companies for possible impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the fair value of each partner company relative to its carrying value, the financial condition and prospects of the partner company and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones the Company considers include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as hiring of key employees or the establishment of strategic relationships. Management then determines whether there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of its ownership interest in the company. Impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value. The fair value of privately held companies is generally determined based on the value at which independent third parties have invested or have committed to invest in these companies or based on other valuation methods, including discounted cash flows, valuation of comparable public companies and the valuation of acquisitions of similar companies. Impairment charges related to equity method partner companies are included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairment charges related to cost method partner companies and funds are included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The reduced cost basis of a previously impaired partner company is not written-up if circumstances suggest the value of the company has subsequently recovered. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in income in the period of the enactment date. The Company provides a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset for amounts which are not considered more likely than not to be realized. Net Income (Loss) Per Share The Company computes net income (loss) per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. The Company includes in diluted net income (loss) per share common stock equivalents (unless anti-dilutive) which would arise from the exercise of stock options and conversion of other convertible securities and adjusted, if applicable, for the effect on net income (loss) of such transactions. Diluted net income (loss) per share calculations adjust net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents and convertible securities issued by the Company’s consolidated or equity method partner companies. Segment Information The Company operates as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of its technology-driven partner companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 and related subsequent amendments outline a single comprehensive model to use to account for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. For public companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and any interim periods that fall within that reporting period. For nonpublic companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. As the new standard will supersede most existing revenue guidance, it could impact revenue and cost recognition for partner companies. Any change in revenue or cost recognition for partner companies could affect the Company's recognition of its share of the results of its equity method partner companies. On July 20, 2017, the SEC staff observer at the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") meeting announced that the SEC staff will not object if a private company equity method investee meeting the definition of a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filings with the SEC, uses private company adoption dates for the new revenue standard. As a result, the Company's private, calendar year partner companies will adopt the new revenue standard for the year ending December 31, 2019. The impact of adoption of the new revenue standard will be reflected in the Company’s financial results for the interim and annual reporting periods beginning in 2020 on a one quarter-lag basis. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . ASU 2016-01 requires that equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) are to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Furthermore, equity investments without readily determinable fair values are to be assessed for impairment using a quantitative approach. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with other amendments related specifically to equity securities without readily determinable fair values applied prospectively. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact upon the Company's financial condition or results of operations. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases . The guidance in ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. As with previous guidance, there continues to be a differentiation between finance leases and operating leases, however this distinction now primarily relates to differences in the manner of expense recognition over time and in the classification of lease payments in the statement of cash flows. Lease assets and liabilities arising from both finance and operating leases will be recognized in the statement of financial position. The transitional guidance for adopting the requirements of ASU 2016-02 calls for a modified retrospective approach that includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. The guidance in ASU 2016-02 will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company anticipates making the accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. As of December 31, 2017, the Company's only material long-term lease was for its corporate headquarters in Radnor, PA under a lease expiring in 2026. The Company also has immaterial office equipment leases expiring at various dates through 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Ownership Interests in and Adva

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds [Abstract]
Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies	Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies The following summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Equity Method: Partner companies $ 107,646 $ 154,219 Private equity funds 443 447 108,089 154,666 Cost Method: Partner companies 2,762 2,112 Private equity funds 1,334 1,550 4,096 3,662 Advances to partner companies 22,506 25,142 $ 134,691 $ 183,470 In August 2017, Good Start Genetics, Inc. was acquired by Invitae Corporation ("Invitae"). The Company received 414,237 shares of Invitae common stock in connection with the transaction, excluding 124,092 shares of Invitae common stock which will be held in escrow until August 2018. The Company recognized a net gain of $3.8 million on the transaction for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Invitae shares are classified as Trading securities and recorded at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017. In February 2018, the Company sold 414,237 shares of Invitae common stock on the open market for proceeds of $2.6 million after transaction fees. In March 2017, the Company sold its interest in partner company Nexxt, Inc., formerly Beyond.com, back to Nexxt, Inc. for $26.0 million . The Company received $15.5 million in cash and a three -year, $10.5 million note for the balance due, which accrues interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum. The receipt of the $15.5 million in cash resulted in a gain of $0.1 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The $10.5 million note was fully reserved and has a carrying value of zero as of December 31, 2017. In February 2018, Nexxt,Inc. repaid the $10.5 million note in full. A gain will be recorded in the first quarter of 2018. The Company recognized an impairment charge of $7.0 million related to Full Measure, Inc. which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. The impairment was based on the Company’s decision not to continue to provide additional capital in the absence of significant additional capital raised from new investors. The adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Full Measure was $0.0 million at December 31, 2017. The Company recognized an impairment charge of $3.6 million related to Spongecell, Inc. which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. The adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Spongecell was $6.0 million at December 31, 2017. Subsequent to year end, Spongecell merged into Flashtalking, a privately-held company, and the Company received shares equal to approximately 10% of Flashtalking’s issued share capital at the time of the closing. The Company recognized impairment charges totaling $5.2 million related to Pneuron, Inc. which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. Pneuron has ceased business operations and the adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Pneuron is $0.0 million at December 31, 2017. In April 2016, Putney, Inc. was acquired by Dechra Pharmaceuticals Plc. The Company received $58.6 million in initial cash proceeds and $0.6 million from escrow during 2017. The Company recognized gains of $55.6 million and $0.6 million on the transaction, which were included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The Company recognized an impairment charge of $3.6 million related to Aventura, Inc. which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. The adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Aventura was $0.0 million at December 31, 2017. The Company recognized a $0.4 million gain and a $2.4 million loss on impairment related to its Penn Mezzanine debt and equity participations which is reflected in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The carrying value of our remaining participating interests in debt and equity securities associated with Penn Mezzanine was $0.0 million and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company recognized a impairment charges of $1.7 million and $3.6 million related to AppFirst, Inc. which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Appfirst's assets were sold in 2016. In June 2016, the Company sold its ownership interests in Bridgevine, Inc. The Company received cash proceeds of $5.0 million and recognized a gain of $0.4 million on the transaction which is included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. In April 2015, DriveFactor, Inc. was acquired by CCC Information Services, Inc. The Company received $9.1 million in initial cash proceeds in connection with the transaction. The Company recognized a gain of $6.1 million on the transaction, which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. In April 2016, the Company received an additional $1.1 million which was released from escrow resulting in a gain of $1.1 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. In April 2016, the Company received $3.3 million associated with the achievement of the final performance milestone related to the December 2013 sale of ThingWorx, Inc. to PTC, Inc., resulting in a gain of $3.3 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. In January 2016, the Company received $4.1 million which was released from escrow resulting in a gain of $4.1 million which is included in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. In July 2015, the Company received $3.3 million associated with the achievement of performance milestones, resulting in a gain of $3.3 million which is included in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. In July 2015, Quantia, Inc. was acquired by Physicians Interactive. The Company received $7.8 million in initial cash proceeds in connection with the transaction. In July 2016, the Company received an additional $0.6 million which was released from escrow resulting in a gain of $0.6 million which is included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company also recognized an impairment charge of $2.9 million related to Quantia in 2015 which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The impairment was based on the difference between the Company's carrying value in Quantia and the initial net proceeds received in July 2015. In July 2015, the Company received $1.7 million in connection with the expiration of the escrow period related to the January 2014 sale of Alverix, Inc. to Becton, Dickinson and Company, resulting in a gain of $1.7 million which is included in Equity income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. In July and March 2015, the Company received an aggregate $2.9 million in connection with the expiration of the escrow period related to the February 2014 sale of Crescendo Bioscience, Inc. to Myriad Genetics, Inc., resulting in a gain of $2.9 million which is included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company recognized an impairment charge of $3.2 million related to InfoBionic, Inc. in 2015 which is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The impairment was due to discontinuation of InfoBionic's first-generation product. The amount of the impairment was determined based on the value at which InfoBionic raised additional equity financing in July 2015 from the Company and other existing capital providers. The Company recognized an impairment charge of $2.3 million related to Dabo Health, Inc. in 2015 which is reflected in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The impairment was based on the decision of the Company and other shareholders not to continue to fund Dabo Health's operations. Summarized Financial Information for Partner Companies The Company categorizes its partner companies into four stages based upon revenue generation—Development Stage, Initial Revenue Stage, Expansion Stage and, High Traction Stage. The Development Stage is made up of those companies that are pre-revenue businesses. The Company currently has no partner companies in the Development Stage. The Initial Revenue Stage is made up of businesses that have revenues of $5 million or less. The Expansion Stage is made up of companies that have revenue in the range of $5 million to $20 million . The High Traction Stage is made up of companies that have revenue in excess of $20 million per year. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a listing of partner companies in which the Company held an ownership interest as of December 31, 2017 and their respective revenue stages. The following summarized financial information by revenue stage for partner companies accounted for under the equity method for the periods presented has been compiled from respective partner company financial statements, reflect certain historical adjustments, and are reported on a one quarter lag. Results of operations of the partner companies are excluded for periods prior to their acquisition and subsequent to their disposition. Historical results are not adjusted when the Company exits or writes-off a partner company. High Traction Stage As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Balance Sheets: Current assets $ 251,986 $ 229,756 Non-current assets 111,329 106,555 Total assets $ 363,315 $ 336,311 Current liabilities $ 296,349 $ 215,622 Non-current liabilities 70,042 110,315 Shareholders’ equity (3,076 ) 10,374 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 363,315 $ 336,311 Number of partner companies 3 5 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Results of Operations: Revenue $ 251,936 $ 278,129 $ 301,132 Gross profit $ 183,139 $ 200,811 $ 208,883 Net loss $ (27,030 ) $ (41,586 ) $ (46,558 ) Expansion Stage As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Balance Sheets: Current assets $ 75,441 $ 88,287 Non-current assets 20,833 18,874 Total assets $ 96,274 $ 107,161 Current liabilities $ 75,610 $ 48,522 Non-current liabilities 33,180 18,048 Shareholders’ equity (12,516 ) 40,591 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 96,274 $ 107,161 Number of partner companies 11 11 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Results of Operations: Revenue $ 99,882 $ 72,258 $ 58,093 Gross profit $ 51,075 $ 36,691 $ 33,473 Net loss $ (81,879 ) $ (75,037 ) $ (44,605 ) Initial Revenue Stage As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Balance Sheets: Current assets $ 54,383 $ 51,615 Non-current assets 2,545 3,797 Total assets $ 56,928 $ 55,412 Current liabilities $ 36,479 $ 21,569 Non-current liabilities 17,450 30,188 Shareholders’ equity 2,999 3,655 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 56,928 $ 55,412 Number of partner companies 11 13 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Results of Operations: Revenue $ 26,262 $ 20,415 $ 9,980 Gross profit $ 17,084 $ 14,969 $ 7,689 Net loss $ (78,212 ) $ (70,107 ) $ (47,221 ) As of December 31, 2017 , the Company’s carrying value in equity method partner companies, in the aggregate, exceeded the Company’s share of the net assets of such companies by approximately $77.5 million . Of this excess, $60.9 million was allocated to goodwill and $16.6 million was allocated to intangible assets.

Acquisitions of Ownership Inter

Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies and Funds	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies	Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies 2017 Transactions The Company deployed $1.0 million into Prognos. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $11.6 million in Prognos. Prognos is a healthcare AI company that’s striving to improve health by tracking and predicting disease earlier in partnership with Life Sciences brands, payers, and clinical diagnostics organizations. The Company accounts for its interest in Prognos under the equity method. The Company deployed $2.3 million into Syapse, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $13.3 million in Syapse. Syapse is on a mission to deliver the best care for every cancer patient through precision medicine. Syapse’s software platform, data sharing network, and industry partnerships enable healthcare providers to bring precision cancer care to every patient who needs it. The Company accounts for its interest in Syapse under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $0.6 million of convertible bridge loans to Spongecell, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $18.0 million in Spongecell. Subsequent to year end, Spongecell merged into Flashtalking. The Company accounted for its interest in Spongecell under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $5.3 million of convertible bridge loans to InfoBionic, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $14.5 million in InfoBionic. InfoBionic is an emerging digital health company focused on creating patient monitoring solutions for chronic disease management with an initial market focus on cardiac arrhythmias. The Company accounts for its interest in InfoBionic under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $3.8 million of convertible bridge loans to Sonobi, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $5.4 million in Sonobi. Sonobi is an advertising technology developer that creates data-driven tools and solutions to meet the evolving needs of demand- and sell-side organizations within the digital media marketplace. The Company accounts for its interest in Sonobi under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $2.0 million of convertible bridge loans to NovaSom, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $22.1 million in NovaSom. NovaSom is a medical device company focused on obstructive sleep apnea, specifically home testing with its FDA-cleared wireless device called AccuSom ® home sleep test. The Company accounts for its interest in NovaSom under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $2.0 million of convertible bridge loans to Cask Data, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $11.0 million in Cask Data. Cask Data makes building and running big data solutions on-premises or in the cloud easy with Cask Data Application Platform. The Company accounts for its interest in Cask Data under the equity method. The Company deployed an aggregate of $4.5 million into CloudMine, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $5.5 million in CloudMine. CloudMine is a leading HIPAA-compliance Enterprise Health Cloud platform. CloudMine empowers healthcare organizations to rapidly and confidently develop connected digital health experiences by reducing complexity, enabling data mobility, and ensuring compliance. The Company accounts for its interest in CloudMine under the equity method. The Company deployed an aggregate of $3.1 million into Full Measure Education, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $8.6 million in Full Measure. Full Measure designs next-generation, mobile-first technologies for colleges throughout the United States. The Company accounted for its interest in Full Measure under the equity method. The Company deployed $2.5 million into meQuilibrium. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $8.0 million in meQuilibrium. meQuilibrium is a digital coaching platform that delivers clinically validated and highly personalized resilience solutions to employers, health plans, wellness providers and consumers increasing engagement, productivity and performance, as well as improving outcomes in managing stress, health and well-being. The Company accounts for its interest in meQuilibrium under the equity method. The Company funded $0.3 million of convertible bridge loans to Hoopla Software, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $4.8 million in Hoopla Software. Hoopla Software provides cloud-based software that helps sales organizations inspire and motivate sales team performance. The Company accounts for its interest in Hoopla Software under the equity method. The Company deployed $1.8 million into QuanticMind, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $9.7 million in QuanticMind. QuanticMind delivers the most intelligent, scalable and fastest platform for maximizing digital marketing performance, including paid search and social, for enterprises. The Company accounts for its interest in QuanticMind under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $2.0 million of convertible bridge loans to WebLinc, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $12.0 million in WebLinc. WebLinc is a commerce platform and services provider for fast growing online retailers. The Company accounts for its interest in WebLinc under the equity method. The Company funded $1.8 million of a convertible bridge loan to Good Start Genetics, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $17.2 million in Good Start Genetics. Good Start Genetics was acquired by Invitae Corporation in August 2017. The Company deployed $2.1 million into Trice Medical, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $8.0 million in Trice Medical. Trice Medical is a diagnostics company focused on micro invasive technologies. The Company accounts for its interest in Trice Medical under the equity method. The Company deployed $1.5 million into Aktana, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $8.2 million in Aktana. Aktana leverages big data and machine learning to enable pharmaceutical brands to dynamically optimize their strategy and enhance sales execution. The Company accounts for its interest in Aktana under the equity method. The Company funded $0.2 million of a bridge loan to Lumesis, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $6.2 million in Lumesis. Lumesis is a financial technology company focused on providing business efficiency, regulatory and data solutions to the municipal bond marketplace. The Company accounts for its interest in Lumesis under the equity method. The Company funded $0.3 million of a convertible bridge loan to Aventura, Inc. to fund wind-down activities. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $6.2 million in Aventura. The adjusted carrying value of the Company's interest in Aventura was $0.0 million at December 31, 2017. The Company accounted for its interest in Aventura under the equity method. 2016 Transactions The Company funded $1.9 million of a convertible bridge loan to Trice Medical, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $6.1 million in Trice Medical. Trice Medical is a diagnostics company focused on micro invasive technologies. The Company accounts for its interest in Trice Medical under the equity method. The Company funded $1.5 million of a convertible bridge loan to meQuilibrium. The Company had previously deployed $6.5 million in meQuilibrium. meQuilibrium is a digital coaching platform that delivers clinically validated and highly personalized resilience solutions to employers, health plans, wellness providers, and consumers increasing engagement, productivity and performance, as well as improving outcomes in managing stress, health and well-being. The Company accounts for its interest in meQuilibrium under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $5.2 million of convertible bridge loans to Good Start Genetics, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $12.0 million in Good Start Genetics. The Company accounted for its interest in Good Start Genetics under the equity method. The Company deployed an aggregate of $5.4 million into WebLinc, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $6.6 million in WebLinc. WebLinc is a commerce platform provider for fast growing online retailers. The Company accounts for its interest in WebLinc under the equity method. The Company deployed an aggregate of $4.6 million into Full Measure Education, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $4.0 million in Full Measure. Full Measure designed next-generation, mobile-first technologies for community colleges throughout the United States. The Company accounted for its interest in Full Measure under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $0.7 million of convertible loans to Lumesis, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $5.6 million in Lumesis. Lumesis is a financial technology company focused on providing business efficiency, regulatory and data solutions to the municipal bond marketplace. The Company accounts for its interest in Lumesis under the equity method. The Company acquired a 23.6% interest in T-REX Group, Inc. for $6.0 million . T-REX Group is a financial services software technology company that specializes in valuation, risk analysis, and structuring tools to unlock investment opportunities for various asset classes. The Company accounts for its interest in T-REX Group under the equity method. The Company funded $0.6 million of a convertible bridge loan to CloudMine, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $4.9 million in CloudMine. CloudMine empowers payers, providers, and pharmaceutical organizations to mobilize patient information by building robust applications and driving actionable insights. The Company accounts for its interest in CloudMine under the equity method. The Company funded $0.3 million of a convertible bridge loan to Aventura, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $6.0 million in Aventura. The Company impaired all of the carrying value of Aventura in the fourth quarter of 2016. The Company accounted for its interest in Aventura under the equity method. The Company acquired a 20.3% interest in Brickwork for $4.2 million . Brickwork helps retailers inform, target, convert, and prepare for store shoppers online as the first scalable software-as-a-service platform powering a seamless customer path between online and in-store shopping. The Company accounts for its interest in Brickwork under the equity method. The Company deployed an additional $5.0 million in Propeller Health, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $9.0 million in Propeller Health. Propeller Health provides digital solutions to measurably improve respiratory health. The Company accounts for its interest in Propeller Health under the equity method. The Company funded $2.8 million of a convertible bridge loan to QuanticMind, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $7.0 million in QuanticMind. QuanticMind is a software-as-a-service company that provides enterprise-level predictive advertising management software for paid search, social and mobile. The Company accounts for its interest in QuanticMind under the equity method. The Company deployed $2.7 million into Aktana, Inc. The Company had previously acquired a 23.4% interest in Aktana for $5.5 million in June 2016. Aktana leverages big data and machine learning to enable pharmaceutical brands to dynamically optimize their strategy and enhance sales execution. The Company accounts for its interest in Aktana under the equity method. The Company acquired a 32.6% interest in Moxe Health Corporation for $4.5 million . Moxe Health connects payers to their provider networks, facilitating real-time data exchange through its electronic integration platform. The Company accounts for its interest in Moxe Health under the equity method. The Company deployed an aggregate of $5.0 million into InfoBionic, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $9.5 million in InfoBionic. InfoBionic is an emerging digital health company focused on creating patient monitoring solutions for chronic disease management with an initial market focus on cardiac arrhythmias. The Company accounts for its interest in InfoBionic under the equity method. The Company deployed an aggregate of $4.0 million into Clutch Holdings, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $12.3 million in Clutch. Clutch provides customer intelligence and personalized engagements that empower consumer-focused businesses to identify, understand and motivate each segment of their customer base. The Company accounts for its interest in Clutch under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $4.0 million of convertible loans to Spongecell, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $14.0 million in Spongecell. Spongecell helps advertisers enhance the power of digital brand creative by leveraging customer data and brand content to personalize ads for maximum relevance. The Company accounts for its interest in Spongecell under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $1.2 million of convertible bridge loans to AppFirst, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $11.6 million in AppFirst. The Company impaired its ownership interest in AppFirst in June 2016 due to the shutdown of AppFirst's operations and sale of its assets in June 2016, which generated cash proceeds to the Company of $0.9 million . The Company accounted for its interest in AppFirst under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $1.0 million of convertible loans to NovaSom, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $21.0 million in NovaSom. NovaSom is a medical device company focused on obstructive sleep apnea, specifically home testing with its FDA-cleared wireless device called AccuSom ® Home Sleep Test. The Company accounts for its interest in NovaSom under the equity method. The Company deployed an additional $5.0 million into Transactis, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $9.5 million in Transactis. Transactis provides electronic billing and payment solutions. The Company accounts for its interest in Transactis under the equity method. The Company funded $1.0 million of a convertible bridge loan to Hoopla Software, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $3.8 million in Hoopla. Hoopla provides cloud-based software that helps sales organizations inspire and motivate sales team performance. The Company accounts for its interest in Hoopla under the equity method. The Company deployed an additional $7.5 million into Syapse, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $5.8 million in Syapse. Syapse drives healthcare transformation through precision medicine, enabling provider systems to improve clinical outcomes, streamline operations, and shift to new payment models. The Company accounts for its interest in Syapse under the equity method. 2015 Transactions The Company acquired a 26.3% interest in Zipnosis, Inc. for $7.0 million . Zipnosis provides health systems with a white-labeled, fully integrated virtual care platform. The Company accounts for its interest in Zipnosis under the equity method. The Company acquired a 34.2% interest in Cask Data, Inc. for $11.0 million . Cask Data accelerates the development and deployment of production Hadoop applications. The Company accounts for its interest in Cask under the equity method. The Company deployed an additional $10.0 million into Apprenda, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $12.1 million in Apprenda. Apprenda is an enterprise platform-as-a-service company powering the next generation of enterprise software development in public, private and hybrid clouds. The Company accounts for its interest in Apprenda under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate of $2.8 million of convertible bridge loans to Quantia, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $12.5 million in Quantia. The Company accounted for its interest in Quantia under the equity method. In July 2015, Quantia was acquired by Physicians Interactive. The Company deployed an additional $3.5 million into Pneuron Corporation. The Company had previously deployed $5.0 million in Pneuron. Pneuron enables organizations to rapidly solve business problems through a distributed approach that cuts across data, applications and processes. The Company accounts for its interest in Pneuron under the equity method. The Company acquired a 22.6% interest in Sonobi, Inc. for $5.4 million . Sonobi is an advertising technology developer that creates data-driven tools and solutions to meet the evolving needs of demand- and sell-side organizations within the digital media marketplace. The Company accounts for its interest in Sonobi under the equity method. The Company funded an aggregate $1.0 million convertible bridge loan to AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc. The Company had previously deployed an aggregate of $15.3 million in AdvantEdge. AdvantEdge is a technology-enabled provider of healthcare revenue cycle and business management solutions that improve decision-making, maximize financial performance, streamline operations and mitigate compliance risks for healthcare providers. The Company accounts for its interest in AdvantEdge under the equity method. The Company deployed an additional $0.3 million into Dabo Health, Inc. The Company had previously deployed $2.0 million in Dabo Health. The Company impaired all of the carrying value of Dabo Health in the first quarter of 2015. The Company accounted for its interest in Dabo Health under the cost method.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The Company categorizes its financial instruments into a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial assets recorded at fair value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows: Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2—Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity. The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of certain financial assets of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 : Carrying Value Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,751 $ 20,751 $ — $ — Long-term restricted cash equivalents 6,336 6,336 — — Trading securities 3,761 3,761 — — Marketable securities—held-to-maturity: Certificates of deposit $ 4,452 $ 4,452 $ — $ — Carrying Value Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,058 $ 22,058 $ — $ — Long-term restricted cash equivalents 6,336 6,336 — — Marketable securities—held-to-maturity: Certificates of deposit $ 15,686 $ 15,686 $ — $ — As of December 31, 2017 , $4.5 million of marketable securities had contractual maturities which were less than one year and $0.0 million of marketable securities had contractual maturities greater than one year. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which, due to the short-term maturity of these instruments, approximates fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities defined as Level 1 inputs under the fair value hierarchy. Trading securities consist of shares of Invitae Corporation obtained in connection with Invitae's acquisition of Good Start Genetics, Inc. in August 2017. The trading securities are recorded at fair value based on Invitae's closing stock price at December 31, 2017. Subsequent to year end, the Company sold the shares of Invitae common stock on the open market for net proceeds of $2.6 million .

Convertible Debentures and Cred

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements	Convertible Debentures Credit Facility In May 2017, the Company entered into a $75.0 million secured, revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”) with HPS Investment Partners, LLC (“Lender”). At closing, the Company borrowed $50.0 million , which resulted in net proceeds of $44.3 million after closing fees to the Lender and other third parties. The Credit Facility has a three -year term with a scheduled maturity of May 11, 2020 and bears interest at a rate of either: (A) LIBOR plus 8.5% (subject to a LIBOR floor of 1% ), payable on the last day of the one, two or three month interest period applicable to the LIBOR rate advance, or (B) 7.5% plus the greater of: 2% ; the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% ; LIBOR plus 1% ; or the U.S. Prime Rate, payable monthly in arrears. The Credit Facility is not amortized and interest payable under the Credit Facility will reflect at least $50 million as being drawn and outstanding at all times during the term. The Credit Facility also includes an unused line fee equal to 0.75% per annum of the average unused portion of the Credit Facility and a loan service fee, both paid quarterly. The Credit Facility is secured by all of the Company's assets in accordance with the terms of the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain (i) a liquidity threshold of at least $20 million of unrestricted cash; (ii) a tangible net worth, plus unrestricted cash of at least 1.75 x the amount then outstanding under the Credit Facility; (iii) a minimum aggregate appraised value of the Company’s ownership interests in its partner companies, plus unrestricted cash in excess of the liquidity threshold of at least $350 million ; and (iv) certain diversification requirements and concentration limits with respect to the Company’s capital deployments to its partner companies. Subject to customary exclusions, the Lender has the right to have one observer representative attend meetings of the Company's Board of Directors. The Credit Facility provides for customary events of default which include (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), among others, nonpayment of principal or interest; non-compliance with debt covenants; defaults in, or failure to pay, certain other indebtedness; the rendering of judgments to pay certain amounts of money; certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency; and a material adverse change to the business. Generally, if an event of default occurs and is not cured within the time periods specified (if any), the Lender may declare the outstanding amount under the Credit Facility to be immediately due and payable. At December 31, 2017 , the principal amount outstanding under the Credit Facility was $50.0 million , the unamortized discount and debt issuance costs were $4.7 million and the net carrying value of the credit facility was $45.3 million . The Company is amortizing the excess of the principal amount of the Credit Facility over its carrying value over the three -year term as additional interest expense using the effective interest method and recorded $1.0 million of such expense for the year ended December 31, 2017. The effective interest rate on the Credit Facility is 14.6% . Convertible Senior Debentures In November 2012, the Company issued $55.0 million principal amount of its 5.25% convertible senior debentures due on May 15, 2018 (the “2018 Debentures”). In July and June 2017, the Company repurchased on the open market, and retired, an aggregate of $14.0 million face value of the 2018 Debentures at a cost of $14.5 million , including transaction fees. In connection with the repurchase of these 2018 Debentures, the Company recognized a $0.8 million reduction in equity which is included in Accumulated Paid-In Capital in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017 and a $29 thousand loss on extinguishment of the liability which is included in Other loss in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $41.0 million of outstanding 2018 Debentures. Interest on the 2018 Debentures is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15. Holders of the 2018 Debentures had the right to convert their notes prior to November 15, 2017 at their option only under the following circumstances: • during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on December 31, 2012, if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day; • during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on such trading day; • if the notes have been called for redemption; or • upon the occurrence of specified corporate events. On or after November 15, 2017 until the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date, holders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of whether any of the foregoing conditions have been met. Upon conversion, the Company will satisfy its conversion obligation by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, at the Company’s election. The conversion rate of the 2018 Debentures is 55.17 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of debentures, equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $18.13 per share of common stock. The closing price of the Company’s common stock at December 31, 2017 was $11.20 . Since their issuance in 2012, none of the 2018 Debentures have been converted to shares of common stock. On or after November 15, 2016, the Company may redeem for cash any of the 2018 Debentures if the last reported sale price of the Company’s common stock exceeds 140% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day before the date that notice of redemption is given, including the last trading day of such period. Upon any redemption of the 2018 Debentures, the Company will pay a redemption price of 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption, and additional interest, if any. The 2018 Debentures holders have the right to require the Company to repurchase the 2018 Debentures if the Company undergoes a fundamental change, which includes the sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s common stock or assets; liquidation; dissolution; a greater than 50% change in control; the delisting of the Company’s common stock from the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market (or any of their respective successors); or a substantial change in the composition of the Company’s board of directors as defined in the governing agreement. Holders may require that the Company repurchase for cash all or part of their debentures at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the debentures to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date. Because the 2018 Debentures may be settled in cash or partially in cash upon conversion, the Company separately accounts for the liability and equity components of the 2018 Debentures. The carrying amount of the liability component was determined at the transaction date by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated equity component. The carrying amount of the equity component represented by the embedded conversion option was determined by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the initial proceeds of the 2018 Debentures as a whole. At December 31, 2017 , the fair value of the $41.0 million outstanding 2018 Debentures was approximately $41.6 million , based on the midpoint of the bid and ask prices as of such date. At December 31, 2017 , the carrying amount of the equity component was $5.6 million , the principal amount of the liability component was $41.0 million , the unamortized discount and debt issuance costs were $0.5 million , and the net carrying value of the liability component was $40.5 million . The Company is amortizing the excess of the face value of the 2018 Debentures over their carrying value over their term as additional interest expense using the effective interest method and recorded $1.5 million , $1.6 million and $1.5 million of such expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The effective interest rate on the 2018 Debentures is 8.7% . The Company anticipates refinancing all or a portion of the outstanding 2018 Debentures before the maturity date of May 15, 2018.

Equity

Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	Equity In July 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company, from time to time and depending on market conditions, to repurchase up to $25.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 0.7 million shares at an aggregate cost of $10.4 million with $14.6 million remaining for repurchase under the existing authorization. In February 2018, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a tax benefits preservation plan (the "Plan") designed to protect and preserve the Company's ability to utilize its net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"). The Company intends to submit the Plan for shareholder ratification at its 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The purpose of the Plan is to preserve the Company's ability to use its NOLs, which would be substantially limited if the Company experienced an "ownership change" as defined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. In general, an ownership change would occur if the Company's shareholders who are treated as owning five percent or more of the outstanding shares of Safeguard for purposes of Section 382 ("five-percent shareholders") collectively increase their aggregate ownership in the Company's overall shares outstanding by more than 50 percentage points. Whether this change has occurred would be measured by comparing each five-percent shareholder's current ownership as of the measurement date to such shareholders' lowest ownership percentage during the three-year period preceding the measurement date. To protect the Company's NOLs from being limited or permanently lost under Section 382, the Plan is intended to deter any person or group from acquiring beneficial ownership of 4.99% or more of the Company's outstanding common stock without the approval of the Board, reducing the likelihood of an unintended ownership change. Under the Plan, the Company will issue one preferred stock purchase right (the "Rights") for each share of Safeguard's common stock held by shareholders of record on March 2, 2018. The issuance of the Rights will not be taxable to Safeguard or its shareholders and will not affect Safeguard's reported earnings per share. The Rights will trade with Safeguard's common shares and will expire no later than February 19, 2021. The Rights and the Plan may also expire on an earlier date upon the occurrence of other events, including a determination by the Company's Board that the Plan is no longer necessary or desirable for the preservation of the Company's tax attributes or that no tax attributes may be carried forward (with such expiration occurring as of the beginning of the applicable taxable year). There can be no assurance that the Plan will prevent the Company from experiencing an ownership change.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Equity Compensation Plans The 2014 Equity Compensation Plan has 4.1 million shares authorized for issuance. During 2017 and 2016, the Company issued zero and 46 thousand stock-based awards, respectively, outside of existing plans as inducement awards in accordance with New York Stock Exchange rules. To the extent allowable, service-based options are incentive stock options. Options granted under the plans are at prices equal to or greater than the fair market value at the date of grant. Upon exercise of stock options, the Company issues shares first from treasury stock, if available, then from authorized but unissued shares. At December 31, 2017 , the Company had reserved 3.4 million shares of common stock for possible future issuance under its 2014 Equity Compensation Plan, and other previously expired equity compensation plans. Classification of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) General and administrative expense $ 1,138 $ 2,394 $ 1,611 $ 1,138 $ 2,394 $ 1,611 At December 31, 2017 , the Company had outstanding options that vest based on two different types of vesting schedules: 1) performance-based; and 2) service-based. Performance-based awards entitle participants to vest in a number of awards determined by achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company upon the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified partner companies. Vesting may occur, if at all, once per year. The requisite service periods for the performance-based awards are based on the Company’s estimate of when the performance conditions will be met. Compensation expense is recognized for performance-based awards for which the performance condition is considered probable of achievement. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service periods using the straight-line method but is accelerated if capital return targets are achieved earlier than estimated. No performance-based options were issued during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 or 2015. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 1 thousand , 4 thousand and 0 performance-based options vested. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, 8 thousand , 106 thousand and 9 thousand performance-based options were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded a reduction of compensation expense related to performance-based options of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. During the years ending December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded compensation expense related to performance-based options of $0.2 million and $0.0 million , respectively. The maximum number of unvested options at December 31, 2017 attainable under these grants was 335 thousand shares. Service-based awards generally vest over four years after the date of grant and expire eight years after the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period using the straight-line method. The requisite service period for service-based awards is the period over which the award vests. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, the Company issued 8 thousand , 27 thousand and 31 thousand service-based options to employees. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, 80 thousand , 22 thousand and 8 thousand service-based options were canceled or forfeited. The Company recorded compensation expense related to these options of $0.1 million , $0.2 million and $0.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Market-based awards entitled participants to vest in a number of options determined by achievement by the Company of certain target market capitalization increases (measured by reference to stock price increases on a specified number of outstanding shares) over an eight -year period. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the Company did not issue any market-based awards to employees. No market-based options vested during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 or 2015. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, 0 , 136 thousand and 91 thousand market-based options were canceled or forfeited. The Company did not record compensation expense related to market-based options during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . There is no further expense to be recognized related to market-based options and there are no further unvested options attainable under these grants at December 31, 2017. The fair value of the Company’s option awards to employees was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the end of the quarter in which the grant occurred. The expected term of stock options granted was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility measured using weekly price observations of the Company’s common stock for a period equal to the stock option’s expected term. Assumptions used in the valuation of options granted in each period were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Service-Based Options Dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 % Expected volatility 22 % 25 % 26 % Average expected option life 5 years 5 years 5 years Risk-free interest rate 2.1 % 1.5 % 1.5 % The weighted-average grant date fair value of options issued by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was $2.36 , $3.29 and $4.25 per share, respectively. Option activity of the Company is summarized below: Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In thousands) (In years) (In thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2014 1,316 $ 12.81 Options granted 31 17.26 Options exercised (155 ) 13.12 Options canceled/forfeited (107 ) 13.06 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 1,085 12.86 Options granted 27 13.03 Options exercised (170 ) 7.56 Options canceled/forfeited (264 ) 11.06 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 678 14.90 Options granted 8 11.33 Options exercised (29 ) 10.16 Options canceled/forfeited (88 ) 17.20 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 569 14.74 3.71 $ 80 Options exercisable at December 31, 2017 198 15.67 2.65 — Shares available for future grant 1,884 The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was $0.1 million , $0.9 million and $0.9 million , respectively. At December 31, 2017 , total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested service-based options was $0.1 million . That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. At December 31, 2017 , total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested performance-based options was $0.1 million . That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years but would be accelerated if performance targets are achieved earlier than estimated. Performance-based stock units vest based on achievement by the Company of target capital returns based on net cash proceeds received by the Company on the sale, merger or other exit transaction of certain identified partner companies, as described above related to performance-based awards. Performance-based stock units represent the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, on a one-for-one basis. The Company did not issue any performance-based units during the year ended December 31, 2017. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, the Company issued 226 thousand and 153 thousand performance-based stock units to employees. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, 1 thousand , 1 thousand and 7 thousand performance-based stock units vested. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, 6 thousand , 49 thousand and 5 thousand performance-based stock units were canceled or forfeited. Under the terms of the 2016 and 2015 performance-based awards, once performance-based stock units are fully vested, participants are entitled to receive cash payments based on their initial performance grant values as target capital returns described above are exceeded. At December 31, 2017 , the liability associated with such potential cash payments was $0.0 million . During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, the Company issued 163 thousand , 130 thousand and 81 thousand restricted shares to employees. Restricted shares generally vest over a period of approximately four years. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 an 2015, respectively, 3 thousand , 12 thousand and 2 thousand restricted shares were canceled or forfeited. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 , respectively, the Company issued 54 thousand , 47 thousand and 44 thousand deferred stock units to non-employee directors for annual service grants or fees earned during the preceding quarter. Deferred stock units issued to directors in lieu of directors fees are 100% vested at the grant date; matching deferred stock units equal to 25% of directors’ fees deferred vest one year following the grant date or, if earlier, upon reaching age 65. Deferred stock units are payable in stock on a one-for-one basis. Payments related to the deferred stock units are generally distributable following termination of employment or service, death or permanent disability. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the Company granted 22 thousand , 10 thousand and 9 thousand shares, respectively, to members of its advisory board. The advisory board was disbanded in February 2018. The Company recorded compensation expense of $0.3 million , $0.1 million and $0.1 million in each year related to these awards. Total compensation expense for deferred stock units, performance-based stock units and restricted stock was $1.3 million $1.9 million , $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense related to deferred stock units, performance stock units and restricted stock at December 31, 2017 was $5.1 million . The total fair value of deferred stock units, performance stock units and restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was $1.6 million , $1.2 million and $1.1 million , respectively. Deferred stock unit, performance-based stock unit and restricted stock activity are summarized below: Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (In thousands) Unvested at December 31, 2015 670 $ 16.16 Granted 413 13.27 Vested (89 ) 16.46 Forfeited (61 ) 17.08 Unvested at December 31, 2016 933 14.79 Granted 217 11.43 Vested (135 ) 13.75 Forfeited (10 ) 14.38 Unvested at December 31, 2017 1,005 14.21

Other Income (Loss), Net

Other Income (Loss), Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Loss), Net	Other Income (Loss), Net Year ended December 31, 2017: Loss on mark-to-market of holdings in trading securities $ (493 ) Loss on impairment of legacy private equity fund (216 ) Gain on legacy Penn Mezzanine debt and equity participations 399 Loss on partial extinguishment of 2018 Debentures (29 ) $ (339 ) Year ended December 31, 2016: Loss on impairment of Penn Mezzanine debt and equity participations $ (2,360 ) Gain on sale of Bridgevine 424 Other 254 $ (1,682 ) Year ended December 31, 2015: Gain on proceeds received from escrow related to sale of Crescendo $ 2,914 Loss on impairment of Dabo Health (2,356 ) Loss on impairment of legacy private equity fund (398 ) Other 57 $ 217

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The federal and state provision (benefit) for income taxes was $0.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . The total income tax provision (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% to net income (loss) before income taxes as a result of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Statutory tax (benefit) expense (35.0 )% (35.0 )% (35.0 )% Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: Stock-based compensation — 0.2 0.1 Nondeductible expenses 0.2 0.4 0.2 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act impact 93.2 — — Valuation allowance (58.4 ) 34.4 34.7 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 % The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets were as follows: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deferred tax asset: Carrying values of partner companies and other holdings $ 69,751 $ 95,134 Tax loss and credit carryforwards 58,138 82,775 Accrued expenses 766 1,183 Stock-based compensation 814 1,763 Other 967 1,310 130,436 182,165 Valuation allowance (130,436 ) (182,165 ) Net deferred tax asset $ — $ — As of December 31, 2017 , the Company and its subsidiaries consolidated for tax purposes had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $254.3 million . These carryforwards expire as follows: Total (In thousands) 2018 $ — 2019 — 2020 — 2021 3,728 2022 and thereafter 250,572 $ 254,300 In December 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to: (i) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent; (ii) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) and changing how existing AMT credits can be realized; (iii) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; and (iv) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The most significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements is a reduction of approximately $82.5 million in deferred tax assets which is offset by changes to the Company’s valuation allowance. In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that certain future tax benefits may not be realized as a result of current and future income. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded against substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets. The Company recognizes in its Consolidated Financial Statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. All uncertain tax positions relate to unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate when recognized. The Company does not expect any material increase or decrease in its income tax expense, in the next twelve months, related to examinations or changes in uncertain tax positions. There were no changes in the Company’s uncertain tax positions for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state jurisdictions. Tax years 2014 and forward remain open for examination for federal tax purposes and the Company’s more significant state tax jurisdictions. To the extent utilized in future years’ tax returns, net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2017 will remain subject to examination until the respective tax year is closed. The Company recognizes penalties and interest accrued related to income tax liabilities in income tax benefit (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Income (Loss) Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Loss Per Share	Net Loss Per Share The calculations of net loss per share were: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands, except per share data) Basic: Net loss $ (88,572 ) $ (22,262 ) $ (59,524 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding 20,430 20,343 20,874 Net loss per share $ (4.34 ) $ (1.09 ) $ (2.85 ) Diluted: Net loss $ (88,572 ) $ (22,262 ) $ (59,524 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding 20,430 20,343 20,874 Net loss per share $ (4.34 ) $ (1.09 ) $ (2.85 ) Basic and diluted average common shares outstanding for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share includes outstanding common shares and vested deferred stock units (DSUs). If a consolidated or equity method partner company has dilutive stock options, unvested restricted stock, DSUs, or warrants, diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by first deducting from net income (loss) the income attributable to the potential exercise of the dilutive securities of the partner company from net income (loss). Any impact is shown as an adjustment to net income (loss) for purposes of calculating diluted net income (loss) per share. Diluted loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 do not reflect the following potential shares of common stock that would have an anti-dilutive effect or have unsatisfied performance or market conditions: • At December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , options to purchase 0.6 million , 0.7 million and 1.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, at prices ranging from $9.83 to $19.95 per share, $9.83 to $19.95 per share and $7.14 to $19.95 per share per share, respectively, were excluded from the calculation. • At December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 unvested restricted stock, performance-based stock units and DSUs convertible into 1.0 million , 0.9 million and 0.7 million shares of stock, respectively, were excluded from the calculations. • For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 , 2.3 million , 3.0 million and 3.0 million shares of common stock, respectively, representing the effect of assumed conversion of the 2018 Debentures were excluded from the calculations.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions In May 2001, the Company entered into a $26.5 million loan agreement with Warren V. Musser, a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Through December 31, 2017 , the Company recognized impairment charges against the loan of $15.7 million . Since 2001 and through December 31, 2017 , the Company has received a total of $17.1 million in payments on the loan. The carrying value of the loan at December 31, 2017 was zero . The Company received payments of $0.1 million on this loan agreement in the year ended December 31, 2016 and did not receive any payments on this loan agreement in the years ended December 31, 2017 or 2015. In the normal course of business, the Company’s officers and employees hold board positions with partner and other companies in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies The Company and its partner companies are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the current opinion of the Company, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations, however, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these actions, and one or more adverse rulings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations or that of its partner companies. The Company records costs associated with legal fees as such services are rendered. The Company leases its corporate headquarters under a lease expiring in 2026 and office equipment under leases expiring at various dates to 2020. Total rental expense under operating leases was $0.5 million , $0.5 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. At December 31, 2017 , future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more are as follows: Total (In thousands) 2018 $ 593 2019 605 2020 603 2021 598 2022 and thereafter 2,648 $ 5,047 The Company had outstanding guarantees of $3.8 million at December 31, 2017 which related to one of the Company's private equity holdings. The Company is required to return a portion or all the distributions it received as a general partner of a private equity fund for further distribution to such fund's limited partners (“clawback”). The Company’s ownership in the fund is 19% . The clawback liability is joint and several, such that the Company may be required to fund the clawback for other general partners should they default. The Company believes its potential liability due to the possibility of default by other general partners is remote. The Company was notified by the fund's manager that the fund is being dissolved and $1.0 million of the Company's clawback liability was paid in the first quarter of 2017. The maximum additional clawback liability is $0.3 million which was reflected in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017 . In October 2001, the Company entered into an agreement with a former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, to provide for annual payments of $0.65 million per year and certain health care and other benefits for life. The related current liability of $0.8 million was included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and the long-term portion of $1.8 million was included in Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017 . We have provided a $6.3 million letter of credit that is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2019 to the landlord of CompuCom Systems, Inc.’s Dallas headquarters which was required in connection with the sale of CompuCom Systems in 2004. The letter of credit is secured by cash which is classified as Long-term restricted cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The restriction on the cash will lapse when the related letter of credit is terminated or expires on March 31, 2019. In January 2018, the Company announced a change in strategy and implemented an initiative to generate annual cost savings of between $5 million and $6 million . The Company will incur approximately $1.3 million of severance payments to terminated employees that will be paid over approximately twelve months. The Company has agreements with certain employees that provide for severance payments to the employee in the event the employee is terminated without cause or an employee terminates his employment for “good reason.” The maximum aggregate exposure under severance agreements for employees who were not terminated in January 2018 in connection with the change in strategy was approximately $2.9 million at December 31, 2017 . In June 2011, the Company's former partner company, Advanced BioHealing, Inc. (“ABH”) was acquired by Shire plc (“Shire”). Prior to the expiration of the escrow period in March 2012, Shire filed a claim against all amounts held in escrow related to the sale based principally upon a United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) false claims act investigation relating to ABH (the “Investigation”). In connection with the Investigation, in July 2015 the Company received a Civil Investigation Demand-Documentary Material (“CID”) from the DOJ regarding ABH and Safeguard’s relationship with ABH. Pursuant to the CID, the Company provided the requested materials and information. To the Company’s knowledge, the CID was related to multiple qui tam (“whistleblower”) actions, one of which was filed in 2014 by an ex-employee of ABH that named the Company and one of the Company’s employees along with other entities and individuals as defendants. At this time, the DOJ has declined to pursue the qui tam action as it relates to the Company and such Company employee. In addition, in connection with the above matters, the Company and other former equity holders in ABH entered into a settlement and release with Shire, which resulted in the release to Shire of all amounts held in escrow related to the sale of ABH.

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company converted $10.8 million and $3.9 million , respectively, of advances to partner companies into ownership interests in partner companies. Cash paid for interest for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was $5.0 million , $2.9 million and $2.9 million , respectively. Cash paid for taxes in each of the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was $0.0 million .

Operating Segments

Operating Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting The Company operates as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of its technology-driven partner companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company held interests in 25 non-consolidated partner companies. The Company’s active partner companies as of December 31, 2017 were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : Safeguard Primary Ownership Partner Company Revenue Stage 2017 2016 2015 Accounting Method AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc. High Traction 40.1% 40.1% 40.1% Equity Aktana, Inc. Expansion 24.5% 31.2% NA Equity Apprenda, Inc. Expansion 29.3% 29.4% 29.5% Equity Brickwork Initial Revenue 20.3% 20.3% NA Equity Cask Data, Inc. Initial Revenue 31.2% 31.3% 34.2% Equity CloudMine, Inc. Initial Revenue 47.3% 30.1% 30.1% Equity Clutch Holdings, Inc. Expansion 42.7% 42.8% 39.3% Equity Hoopla Software, Inc. Initial Revenue 25.5% 25.5% 25.6% Equity InfoBionic, Inc. Initial Revenue 39.5% 39.7% 38.5% Equity Lumesis, Inc. Expansion 43.8% 44.1% 44.7% Equity MediaMath, Inc. High Traction 20.5% 20.5% 20.6% Equity meQuilibrium Initial Revenue 36.2% 31.5% 31.5% Equity Moxe Health Corporation Initial Revenue 32.4% 32.4% NA Equity NovaSom, Inc. High Traction 31.7% 31.7% 31.7% Equity Prognos (formerly Medivo) Expansion 28.7% 35.2% 34.5% Equity Propeller Health, Inc. Initial Revenue 24.0% 24.0% 24.6% Equity QuanticMind, Inc. Expansion 24.7% 23.2% 23.6% Equity Sonobi, Inc. Expansion 21.6% 21.6% 22.6% Equity Spongecell, Inc. * Expansion 23.0% 23.0% 23.0% Equity Syapse, Inc. Expansion 20.1% 26.2% 24.4% Equity T-REX Group, Inc. Initial Revenue 21.1% 23.6% NA Equity Transactis, Inc. Expansion 23.8% 24.2% 24.5% Equity Trice Medical, Inc. Initial Revenue 24.8% 27.6% 27.7% Equity WebLinc, Inc. Expansion 38.0% 38.0% 29.2% Equity Zipnosis, Inc Initial Revenue 25.4% 25.4% 26.3% Equity * Spongecell, Inc. merged into Flashtalking in January 2018. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , all of the Company’s assets were located in the United States.

Selected Quarterly Financial In

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (In thousands, except per share data) 2017: General and administrative expense $ 4,947 $ 4,486 $ 3,758 $ 3,940 Operating loss (4,947 ) (4,486 ) (3,758 ) (3,940 ) Other income (loss), net 249 (89 ) (379 ) (120 ) Interest income 801 1,087 1,004 984 Interest expense (1,198 ) (2,112 ) (2,643 ) (2,667 ) Equity income (loss) (17,002 ) (23,497 ) (12,874 ) (12,985 ) Net loss before income taxes (22,097 ) (29,097 ) (18,650 ) (18,728 ) Income tax benefit (expense) — — — — Net loss $ (22,097 ) $ (29,097 ) $ (18,650 ) $ (18,728 ) Net loss per share (a) Basic $ (1.08 ) $ (1.43 ) $ (0.91 ) $ (0.91 ) Diluted $ (1.08 ) $ (1.43 ) $ (0.91 ) $ (0.91 ) 2016: General and administrative expense $ 5,228 $ 4,849 $ 4,687 $ 3,928 Operating loss (5,228 ) (4,849 ) (4,687 ) (3,928 ) Other income (loss), net — 659 (2,405 ) 64 Interest income 420 527 513 615 Interest expense (1,149 ) (1,155 ) (1,161 ) (1,169 ) Equity income (loss) (9,495 ) 43,794 (16,345 ) (17,283 ) Net income (loss) before income taxes (15,452 ) 38,976 (24,085 ) (21,701 ) Income tax benefit (expense) — — — — Net income (loss) $ (15,452 ) $ 38,976 $ (24,085 ) $ (21,701 ) Net income (loss) per share (a) Basic $ (0.76 ) $ 1.92 $ (1.18 ) $ (1.07 ) Diluted $ (0.76 ) $ 1.70 $ (1.18 ) $ (1.07 ) (a) Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events In January 2018, Spongecell, Inc. merged into Flashtalking, a privately-held company. The Company received Flashtalking ordinary shares equal to approximately 10% of Flashtalking’s issued share capital at the time of the closing. The Company’s final number of Flashtalking shares will be subject to customary indemnification and working capital provisions and agreements.

Significant Accounting Polici24

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Safeguard and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests in Companies	Principles of Accounting for Ownership Interests in Companies The Company accounts for its interests in its partner companies using one of the following methods: consolidation, fair value, equity or cost. The accounting method applied is generally determined by the degree of the Company's influence over the entity, primarily determined by our voting interest in the entity. In addition to holding voting and non-voting equity and debt securities, the Company also periodically makes advances to its partner companies in the form of promissory notes which are included in the Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies line item in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Consolidation Method. The Company generally accounts for partner companies in which it directly or indirectly owns more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities under the consolidation method of accounting. Under this method, the Company includes the partner companies’ financial statements within the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, and all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The Company reflects participation of other stockholders in the net assets and in the income or losses of these consolidated partner companies in Equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and in Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest in the Statements of Operations. Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest adjusts the Company’s consolidated operating results to reflect only the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of the consolidated partner company. The Company accounts for results of operations and cash flows of a consolidated partner company through the latest date in which it holds a controlling interest. If the Company subsequently relinquishes control but retains an interest in the partner company, the accounting method is adjusted to the equity, cost or fair value method of accounting, as appropriate. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company did not hold a controlling interest in any of its partner companies. Fair Value Method. Unrealized gains and losses on the mark-to-market of the Company's holdings in fair value method companies and realized gains and losses on the sale of any holdings in fair value method companies are recognized in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2017 , the Company did not account for any of its partner companies under the fair value method. Equity Method. The Company accounts for partner companies whose results are not consolidated, but over which it exercises significant influence, under the equity method of accounting. Whether or not the Company exercises significant influence with respect to a partner company depends on an evaluation of several factors including, among others, representation of the Company on the partner company’s board of directors and the Company’s ownership level, which is generally a 20% to 50% interest in the voting securities of a partner company, including voting rights associated with the Company’s holdings in common, preferred and other convertible instruments in the company. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company does not reflect a partner company’s financial statements within the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements; however, the Company’s share of the income or loss of such partner company is reflected in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of equity method partner companies in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any excess of the Company’s cost over its underlying interest in the net assets of equity method partner companies that is allocated to intangible assets is amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related intangible assets. The Company reflects its share of the income or loss of the equity method partner companies on a one quarter lag. This reporting lag could result in a delay in recognition of the impact of changes in the business or operations of these partner companies. When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method partner company is reduced to zero, the Company records no further losses in its Consolidated Statements of Operations unless the Company has an outstanding guarantee obligation or has committed additional funding to such equity method partner company. When such equity method partner company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it exceeds the amount of the Company’s share of losses not previously recognized. Cost Method. The Company accounts for partner companies not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method or fair value method under the cost method of accounting. Under the cost method, the Company does not include its share of the income or losses of partner companies in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company includes the carrying value of cost method partner companies in Ownership interests in and advances to partner companies on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Impairment of Ownership Interests In and Advances to Partner Companies On a periodic basis, but no less frequently than quarterly, the Company evaluates the carrying value of its equity and cost method partner companies for possible impairment based on achievement of business plan objectives and milestones, the fair value of each partner company relative to its carrying value, the financial condition and prospects of the partner company and other relevant factors. The business plan objectives and milestones the Company considers include, among others, those related to financial performance, such as achievement of planned financial results or completion of capital raising activities, and those that are not primarily financial in nature, such as hiring of key employees or the establishment of strategic relationships. Management then determines whether there has been an other than temporary decline in the value of its ownership interest in the company. Impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value. The fair value of privately held companies is generally determined based on the value at which independent third parties have invested or have committed to invest in these companies or based on other valuation methods, including discounted cash flows, valuation of comparable public companies and the valuation of acquisitions of similar companies. Impairment charges related to equity method partner companies are included in Equity income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Impairment charges related to cost method partner companies and funds are included in Other income (loss), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The reduced cost basis of a previously impaired partner company is not written-up if circumstances suggest the value of the company has subsequently recovered.
Accounting Estimates	Accounting Estimates The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates. These estimates include the evaluation of the recoverability of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies, income taxes, stock-based compensation and commitments and contingencies. Management evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Certain amounts recorded to reflect the Company’s share of income or losses of partner companies accounted for under the equity method are based on unaudited results of operations of those companies and may require adjustments in the future when audits of these entities’ financial statements are completed. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s accounting estimates with respect to the ultimate recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies could change in the near term and that the effect of such changes on the financial statements could be material. At December 31, 2017 , the Company believes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies is not impaired, although there can be no assurance that the Company’s future results will confirm this assessment, that a significant write-down or write-off will not be required in the future or that a significant loss will not be recorded in the future upon the sale of a company.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits that are readily convertible into cash. The Company determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Marketable securities consist of held-to-maturity securities, primarily consisting of government agency bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposits. Marketable securities with a maturity date greater than one year from the balance sheet date are considered long-term. The Company has not experienced any significant losses on cash equivalents and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restricted Cash Equivalents Restricted cash equivalents consist of certificates of deposit with various maturity dates. Amounts included in restricted cash equivalents represent those required to be set aside by a contractual agreement with a bank as collateral for a letter of credit. The restriction on the cash will lapse when the related letter of credit is terminated or expires on March 19, 2019. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,751 $ 22,058 Long-term restricted cash equivalents 6,336 6,336 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents $ 27,087 $ 28,394
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments The Company’s financial instruments (principally cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses) are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. The Company’s long-term debt is carried at cost.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company recognizes the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates in income in the period of the enactment date. The Company provides a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax asset for amounts which are not considered more likely than not to be realized.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share	Net Income (Loss) Per Share The Company computes net income (loss) per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. The Company includes in diluted net income (loss) per share common stock equivalents (unless anti-dilutive) which would arise from the exercise of stock options and conversion of other convertible securities and adjusted, if applicable, for the effect on net income (loss) of such transactions. Diluted net income (loss) per share calculations adjust net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents and convertible securities issued by the Company’s consolidated or equity method partner companies.
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company operates as one operating segment based upon the similar nature of its technology-driven partner companies, the functional alignment of the organizational structure, and the reports that are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources.
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 and related subsequent amendments outline a single comprehensive model to use to account for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. For public companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and any interim periods that fall within that reporting period. For nonpublic companies, the guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. As the new standard will supersede most existing revenue guidance, it could impact revenue and cost recognition for partner companies. Any change in revenue or cost recognition for partner companies could affect the Company's recognition of its share of the results of its equity method partner companies. On July 20, 2017, the SEC staff observer at the FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") meeting announced that the SEC staff will not object if a private company equity method investee meeting the definition of a public business entity that otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for the inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filings with the SEC, uses private company adoption dates for the new revenue standard. As a result, the Company's private, calendar year partner companies will adopt the new revenue standard for the year ending December 31, 2019. The impact of adoption of the new revenue standard will be reflected in the Company’s financial results for the interim and annual reporting periods beginning in 2020 on a one quarter-lag basis. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . ASU 2016-01 requires that equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) are to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Furthermore, equity investments without readily determinable fair values are to be assessed for impairment using a quantitative approach. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption, with other amendments related specifically to equity securities without readily determinable fair values applied prospectively. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact upon the Company's financial condition or results of operations. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases . The guidance in ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. As with previous guidance, there continues to be a differentiation between finance leases and operating leases, however this distinction now primarily relates to differences in the manner of expense recognition over time and in the classification of lease payments in the statement of cash flows. Lease assets and liabilities arising from both finance and operating leases will be recognized in the statement of financial position. The transitional guidance for adopting the requirements of ASU 2016-02 calls for a modified retrospective approach that includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. The guidance in ASU 2016-02 will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company anticipates making the accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. As of December 31, 2017, the Company's only material long-term lease was for its corporate headquarters in Radnor, PA under a lease expiring in 2026. The Company also has immaterial office equipment leases expiring at various dates through 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Polici25

Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Restrictions on Cash and Cash Equivalents	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,751 $ 22,058 Long-term restricted cash equivalents 6,336 6,336 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents $ 27,087 $ 28,394

Ownership Interests in and Ad26

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds [Abstract]
Summary of the carrying value of the Company's ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and private equity funds	The following summarizes the carrying value of the Company’s ownership interests in and advances to partner companies. December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Equity Method: Partner companies $ 107,646 $ 154,219 Private equity funds 443 447 108,089 154,666 Cost Method: Partner companies 2,762 2,112 Private equity funds 1,334 1,550 4,096 3,662 Advances to partner companies 22,506 25,142 $ 134,691 $ 183,470
Results of Operation	High Traction Stage As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Balance Sheets: Current assets $ 251,986 $ 229,756 Non-current assets 111,329 106,555 Total assets $ 363,315 $ 336,311 Current liabilities $ 296,349 $ 215,622 Non-current liabilities 70,042 110,315 Shareholders’ equity (3,076 ) 10,374 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 363,315 $ 336,311 Number of partner companies 3 5 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Results of Operations: Revenue $ 251,936 $ 278,129 $ 301,132 Gross profit $ 183,139 $ 200,811 $ 208,883 Net loss $ (27,030 ) $ (41,586 ) $ (46,558 ) Expansion Stage As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Balance Sheets: Current assets $ 75,441 $ 88,287 Non-current assets 20,833 18,874 Total assets $ 96,274 $ 107,161 Current liabilities $ 75,610 $ 48,522 Non-current liabilities 33,180 18,048 Shareholders’ equity (12,516 ) 40,591 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 96,274 $ 107,161 Number of partner companies 11 11 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Results of Operations: Revenue $ 99,882 $ 72,258 $ 58,093 Gross profit $ 51,075 $ 36,691 $ 33,473 Net loss $ (81,879 ) $ (75,037 ) $ (44,605 ) Initial Revenue Stage As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Balance Sheets: Current assets $ 54,383 $ 51,615 Non-current assets 2,545 3,797 Total assets $ 56,928 $ 55,412 Current liabilities $ 36,479 $ 21,569 Non-current liabilities 17,450 30,188 Shareholders’ equity 2,999 3,655 Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 56,928 $ 55,412 Number of partner companies 11 13 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Results of Operations: Revenue $ 26,262 $ 20,415 $ 9,980 Gross profit $ 17,084 $ 14,969 $ 7,689 Net loss $ (78,212 ) $ (70,107 ) $ (47,221 )

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Carrying Value and Fair Value of Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of certain financial assets of the Company measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 : Carrying Value Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,751 $ 20,751 $ — $ — Long-term restricted cash equivalents 6,336 6,336 — — Trading securities 3,761 3,761 — — Marketable securities—held-to-maturity: Certificates of deposit $ 4,452 $ 4,452 $ — $ — Carrying Value Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,058 $ 22,058 $ — $ — Long-term restricted cash equivalents 6,336 6,336 — — Marketable securities—held-to-maturity: Certificates of deposit $ 15,686 $ 15,686 $ — $ —

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation Expense	Stock-based compensation expense was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) General and administrative expense $ 1,138 $ 2,394 $ 1,611 $ 1,138 $ 2,394 $ 1,611
Assumptions Used in Valuation of Option Granted	Assumptions used in the valuation of options granted in each period were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Service-Based Options Dividend yield 0 % 0 % 0 % Expected volatility 22 % 25 % 26 % Average expected option life 5 years 5 years 5 years Risk-free interest rate 2.1 % 1.5 % 1.5 %
Option Activity	Option activity of the Company is summarized below: Shares Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In thousands) (In years) (In thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2014 1,316 $ 12.81 Options granted 31 17.26 Options exercised (155 ) 13.12 Options canceled/forfeited (107 ) 13.06 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 1,085 12.86 Options granted 27 13.03 Options exercised (170 ) 7.56 Options canceled/forfeited (264 ) 11.06 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 678 14.90 Options granted 8 11.33 Options exercised (29 ) 10.16 Options canceled/forfeited (88 ) 17.20 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 569 14.74 3.71 $ 80 Options exercisable at December 31, 2017 198 15.67 2.65 — Shares available for future grant 1,884
Deferred Stock Unit, Performance-Based Stock Unit and Restricted Stock Activity	Deferred stock unit, performance-based stock unit and restricted stock activity are summarized below: Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (In thousands) Unvested at December 31, 2015 670 $ 16.16 Granted 413 13.27 Vested (89 ) 16.46 Forfeited (61 ) 17.08 Unvested at December 31, 2016 933 14.79 Granted 217 11.43 Vested (135 ) 13.75 Forfeited (10 ) 14.38 Unvested at December 31, 2017 1,005 14.21

Other Income (Loss), Net (Table

Other Income (Loss), Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income (Loss), Net	Year ended December 31, 2017: Loss on mark-to-market of holdings in trading securities $ (493 ) Loss on impairment of legacy private equity fund (216 ) Gain on legacy Penn Mezzanine debt and equity participations 399 Loss on partial extinguishment of 2018 Debentures (29 ) $ (339 ) Year ended December 31, 2016: Loss on impairment of Penn Mezzanine debt and equity participations $ (2,360 ) Gain on sale of Bridgevine 424 Other 254 $ (1,682 ) Year ended December 31, 2015: Gain on proceeds received from escrow related to sale of Crescendo $ 2,914 Loss on impairment of Dabo Health (2,356 ) Loss on impairment of legacy private equity fund (398 ) Other 57 $ 217

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Differences Between United States Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate	The total income tax provision (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% to net income (loss) before income taxes as a result of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Statutory tax (benefit) expense (35.0 )% (35.0 )% (35.0 )% Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: Stock-based compensation — 0.2 0.1 Nondeductible expenses 0.2 0.4 0.2 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act impact 93.2 — — Valuation allowance (58.4 ) 34.4 34.7 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 %
Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets were as follows: As of December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deferred tax asset: Carrying values of partner companies and other holdings $ 69,751 $ 95,134 Tax loss and credit carryforwards 58,138 82,775 Accrued expenses 766 1,183 Stock-based compensation 814 1,763 Other 967 1,310 130,436 182,165 Valuation allowance (130,436 ) (182,165 ) Net deferred tax asset $ — $ —
Carryforwards Expiration	As of December 31, 2017 , the Company and its subsidiaries consolidated for tax purposes had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $254.3 million . These carryforwards expire as follows: Total (In thousands) 2018 $ — 2019 — 2020 — 2021 3,728 2022 and thereafter 250,572 $ 254,300

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Ta

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculations of Net Income (Loss) Per Share	The calculations of net loss per share were: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands, except per share data) Basic: Net loss $ (88,572 ) $ (22,262 ) $ (59,524 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding 20,430 20,343 20,874 Net loss per share $ (4.34 ) $ (1.09 ) $ (2.85 ) Diluted: Net loss $ (88,572 ) $ (22,262 ) $ (59,524 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding 20,430 20,343 20,874 Net loss per share $ (4.34 ) $ (1.09 ) $ (2.85 )

Operating Segments (Tables)

Operating Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Active Partner Companies by Segment	The Company’s active partner companies as of December 31, 2017 were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : Safeguard Primary Ownership Partner Company Revenue Stage 2017 2016 2015 Accounting Method AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions, Inc. High Traction 40.1% 40.1% 40.1% Equity Aktana, Inc. Expansion 24.5% 31.2% NA Equity Apprenda, Inc. Expansion 29.3% 29.4% 29.5% Equity Brickwork Initial Revenue 20.3% 20.3% NA Equity Cask Data, Inc. Initial Revenue 31.2% 31.3% 34.2% Equity CloudMine, Inc. Initial Revenue 47.3% 30.1% 30.1% Equity Clutch Holdings, Inc. Expansion 42.7% 42.8% 39.3% Equity Hoopla Software, Inc. Initial Revenue 25.5% 25.5% 25.6% Equity InfoBionic, Inc. Initial Revenue 39.5% 39.7% 38.5% Equity Lumesis, Inc. Expansion 43.8% 44.1% 44.7% Equity MediaMath, Inc. High Traction 20.5% 20.5% 20.6% Equity meQuilibrium Initial Revenue 36.2% 31.5% 31.5% Equity Moxe Health Corporation Initial Revenue 32.4% 32.4% NA Equity NovaSom, Inc. High Traction 31.7% 31.7% 31.7% Equity Prognos (formerly Medivo) Expansion 28.7% 35.2% 34.5% Equity Propeller Health, Inc. Initial Revenue 24.0% 24.0% 24.6% Equity QuanticMind, Inc. Expansion 24.7% 23.2% 23.6% Equity Sonobi, Inc. Expansion 21.6% 21.6% 22.6% Equity Spongecell, Inc. * Expansion 23.0% 23.0% 23.0% Equity Syapse, Inc. Expansion 20.1% 26.2% 24.4% Equity T-REX Group, Inc. Initial Revenue 21.1% 23.6% NA Equity Transactis, Inc. Expansion 23.8% 24.2% 24.5% Equity Trice Medical, Inc. Initial Revenue 24.8% 27.6% 27.7% Equity WebLinc, Inc. Expansion 38.0% 38.0% 29.2% Equity Zipnosis, Inc Initial Revenue 25.4% 25.4% 26.3% Equity

Selected Quarterly Financial 33

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Information	Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (In thousands, except per share data) 2017: General and administrative expense $ 4,947 $ 4,486 $ 3,758 $ 3,940 Operating loss (4,947 ) (4,486 ) (3,758 ) (3,940 ) Other income (loss), net 249 (89 ) (379 ) (120 ) Interest income 801 1,087 1,004 984 Interest expense (1,198 ) (2,112 ) (2,643 ) (2,667 ) Equity income (loss) (17,002 ) (23,497 ) (12,874 ) (12,985 ) Net loss before income taxes (22,097 ) (29,097 ) (18,650 ) (18,728 ) Income tax benefit (expense) — — — — Net loss $ (22,097 ) $ (29,097 ) $ (18,650 ) $ (18,728 ) Net loss per share (a) Basic $ (1.08 ) $ (1.43 ) $ (0.91 ) $ (0.91 ) Diluted $ (1.08 ) $ (1.43 ) $ (0.91 ) $ (0.91 ) 2016: General and administrative expense $ 5,228 $ 4,849 $ 4,687 $ 3,928 Operating loss (5,228 ) (4,849 ) (4,687 ) (3,928 ) Other income (loss), net — 659 (2,405 ) 64 Interest income 420 527 513 615 Interest expense (1,149 ) (1,155 ) (1,161 ) (1,169 ) Equity income (loss) (9,495 ) 43,794 (16,345 ) (17,283 ) Net income (loss) before income taxes (15,452 ) 38,976 (24,085 ) (21,701 ) Income tax benefit (expense) — — — — Net income (loss) $ (15,452 ) $ 38,976 $ (24,085 ) $ (21,701 ) Net income (loss) per share (a) Basic $ (0.76 ) $ 1.92 $ (1.18 ) $ (1.07 ) Diluted $ (0.76 ) $ 1.70 $ (1.18 ) $ (1.07 ) (a) Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

Significant Accounting Polici34

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 20,751		$ 22,058
Marketable securities			4,500
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments			25,200
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Severance costs	$ 1,300
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 75,000
Outstanding debentures				50,000
Liquidity threshold				$ 20,000
Tangible net worth plus unrestricted cash multiplier				1.75
Minimum aggregate appraised value plus liquidity threshold				$ 350,000
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Long term debt, principal amount outstanding			41,000
Credit Facility due May 2020 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Long term debt, principal amount outstanding			50,000
Current borrowing capacity			$ 25,000
Minimum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Restructuring, projected annual cost savings		$ 5,000
Maximum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Restructuring, projected annual cost savings		$ 6,000

Significant Accounting Polici35

Significant Accounting Policies - Cash Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Reconciliation [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,751	$ 22,058
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336	6,336
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	$ 27,087	$ 28,394	$ 32,838	$ 111,897

Ownership Interests in and Ad36

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds - Summary of the carrying value of the Company's ownership interests in and advances to partner companies and private equity funds (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 108,089	$ 154,666
Cost method investments	4,096	3,662
Advances to partner companies	22,506	25,142
Total	134,691	183,470
Partner companies [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investments	107,646	154,219
Cost method investments	2,762	2,112
Private equity funds [Member]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Equity method investments	443	447
Cost method investments	$ 1,334	$ 1,550

Ownership Interests in and Ad37

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)

1 Months Ended

5 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2018

Aug. 31, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Jul. 31, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Apr. 30, 2016

Jan. 31, 2016

Jul. 31, 2015

Apr. 30, 2015

Jul. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

$ 424,000

$ 2,914,000

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 16,604,000

73,965,000

25,058,000

Asset impairment charges

216,000

2,360,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

108,089,000

154,666,000

Equity method investment assets exceed carrying value of investment

77,500,000

Intangible Assets [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Equity method investment allocation of excess fair value

60,900,000

Goodwill [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Equity method investment allocation of excess fair value

16,600,000

Initial Revenue Stage [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Revenue stage threshold

5,000,000

Expansion Stage [Member] | Maximum [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Revenue stage threshold

20,000,000

Expansion Stage [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Revenue stage threshold

5,000,000

High Traction Stage [Member] | Minimum [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Revenue stage threshold

20,000,000

Good Start Genetics Inc [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Number of shares received (in shares)

414,237

Number of shares received, amount held in escrow (in shares)

124,092

Gain on sale of business

3,800,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

17,200,000

12,000,000

Beyond Com Inc [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

$ 100,000

Consideration received

26,000,000

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 15,500,000

Term of note receivable (in years)

3 years

Amount of non-cash consideration received

$ 10,500,000

Stated interest rate

9.50%

Proceeds from divestiture of interest in joint venture

$ 15,500,000

Full Measure [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Asset impairment charges

7,000,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

0

8,600,000

4,000,000

Spongecell [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Asset impairment charges

3,600,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

6,000,000

18,000,000

14,000,000

Pneuron [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Asset impairment charges

5,200,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

0

$ 5,000,000

Putney, Inc. [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

600,000

55,600,000

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 58,600,000

Amount held in escrow

600,000

Aventura [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Asset impairment charges

3,600,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

0

6,200,000

6,000,000

Penn Mezzanine Assets [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt

(399,000)

2,400,000

Other assets

$ 0

200,000

Appfirst [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 900,000

Asset impairment charges

1,700,000

3,600,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

11,600,000

Bridgevine Inc [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

400,000

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 5,000,000

DriveFactor Inc. [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

1,100,000

$ 6,100,000

Proceeds from sale of business

1,100,000

$ 9,100,000

Thing Worx Inc [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

3,300,000

$ 4,100,000

$ 3,300,000

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 3,300,000

$ 4,100,000

3,300,000

Quantia Inc. [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

$ 600,000

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 600,000

7,800,000

Asset impairment charges

2,900,000

Alverix Inc [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

1,700,000

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 1,700,000

Crescendo [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Gain on sale of business

$ 2,900,000

Proceeds from sale of business

$ 2,900,000

InfoBionic [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Asset impairment charges

3,200,000

Adjusted carrying value of capital

$ 14,500,000

9,500,000

Dabo [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Asset impairment charges

$ 2,356,000

Subsequent Event [Member] | Good Start Genetics Inc [Member]

Investment [Line Items]

Trading securities sold

414,237

Proceeds from sale of securities

$ 2,600,000

Ownership Interests in and Ad38

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds - Summarized Balance Sheets for Equity Method Investments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)partner_company	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)partner_company
High Traction Stage [Member]
Summarized Equity Method Investee Disclosures [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 251,986	$ 229,756
Non-current assets	111,329	106,555
Total assets	363,315	336,311
Current liabilities	296,349	215,622
Non-current liabilities	70,042	110,315
Shareholders’ equity	(3,076)	10,374
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 363,315	$ 336,311
Number of partner companies | partner_company	3	5
Expansion Stage [Member]
Summarized Equity Method Investee Disclosures [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 75,441	$ 88,287
Non-current assets	20,833	18,874
Total assets	96,274	107,161
Current liabilities	75,610	48,522
Non-current liabilities	33,180	18,048
Shareholders’ equity	(12,516)	40,591
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 96,274	$ 107,161
Number of partner companies | partner_company	11	11
Initial Revenue Stage [Member]
Summarized Equity Method Investee Disclosures [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 54,383	$ 51,615
Non-current assets	2,545	3,797
Total assets	56,928	55,412
Current liabilities	36,479	21,569
Non-current liabilities	17,450	30,188
Shareholders’ equity	2,999	3,655
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 56,928	$ 55,412
Number of partner companies | partner_company	11	13

Ownership Interests in and Ad39

Ownership Interests in and Advances to Partner Companies and Funds - Results of Operations for Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
High Traction Stage [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 251,936	$ 278,129	$ 301,132
Gross profit	183,139	200,811	208,883
Net loss	(27,030)	(41,586)	(46,558)
Expansion Stage [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenue	99,882	72,258	58,093
Gross profit	51,075	36,691	33,473
Net loss	(81,879)	(75,037)	(44,605)
Initial Revenue Stage [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenue	26,262	20,415	9,980
Gross profit	17,084	14,969	7,689
Net loss	$ (78,212)	$ (70,107)	$ (47,221)

Acquisitions of Ownership Int40

Acquisitions of Ownership Interests in Partner Companies and Funds (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired		$ 15,101	$ 52,431	$ 70,186
Equity method investments		108,089	154,666
Proceeds from sale of business		16,604	73,965	$ 25,058
Prognos [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired		$ 1,000
Equity method investments			$ 11,600
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		28.70%	35.20%	34.50%
CloudMine [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan			$ 600
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired		$ 4,500
Equity method investments			$ 5,500	$ 4,900
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		47.30%	30.10%	30.10%
Hoopla Software, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 300	$ 1,000
Equity method investments			$ 4,800	$ 3,800
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		25.50%	25.50%	25.60%
Zipnosis [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired				$ 7,000
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		25.40%	25.40%	26.30%
WebLinc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 2,000
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired			$ 5,400
Equity method investments			$ 12,000	$ 6,600
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		38.00%	38.00%	29.20%
Cask Data [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 2,000
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired				$ 11,000
Equity method investments			$ 11,000
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		31.20%	31.30%	34.20%
Appfirst [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan			$ 1,200
Equity method investments				$ 11,600
Proceeds from sale of business	$ 900
Apprenda [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired				$ 10,000
Equity method investments					$ 12,100
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		29.30%	29.40%	29.50%
InfoBionic [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 5,300
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired			$ 5,000
Equity method investments			$ 14,500	$ 9,500
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		39.50%	39.70%	38.50%
Quantia [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan				$ 2,800
Equity method investments					12,500
Pneuron [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired				3,500
Equity method investments		$ 0			5,000
Clutch [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired			$ 4,000
Equity method investments				$ 12,300
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		42.70%	42.80%	39.30%
Sonobi [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 3,800
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired				$ 5,400
Equity method investments			$ 5,400
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		21.60%	21.60%	22.60%
Advantedge [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan				$ 1,000
Equity method investments					$ 15,300
meQuilibrium [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan			$ 1,500
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired		$ 2,500
Equity method investments			$ 8,000	$ 6,500
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		36.20%	31.50%	31.50%
Spongecell [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 600	$ 4,000
Equity method investments		$ 6,000	$ 18,000	$ 14,000
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		23.00%	23.00%	23.00%
Dabo [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan				$ 300
Payments to Acquire Other Investments				2,000
Aventura [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 300	$ 300
Equity method investments		$ 0	6,200	$ 6,000
BrickWork [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired			$ 4,200
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		20.30%	20.30%	20.30%
QuanticMind, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan			$ 2,800
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired		$ 1,800
Equity method investments			$ 9,700	$ 7,000
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		24.70%	23.20%	23.60%
Aktana, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired	$ 5,500	$ 1,500	$ 2,700
Equity method investments			$ 8,200
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	23.40%	24.50%	31.20%
Moxe Health [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired			$ 4,500
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		32.40%	32.40%	32.60%
Full Measure [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired		$ 3,100	$ 4,600
Equity method investments		0	8,600	$ 4,000
Trice [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan			1,900
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired		$ 2,100
Equity method investments			$ 8,000	$ 6,100
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		24.80%	27.60%	27.70%
Propeller [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired			$ 5,000
Equity method investments				$ 9,000
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		24.00%	24.00%	24.60%
Transactis [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired			$ 5,000
Equity method investments				$ 9,500
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		23.80%	24.20%	24.50%
Syapse, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired		$ 2,300	$ 7,500
Equity method investments			$ 13,300	$ 5,800
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		20.10%	26.20%	24.40%
Lumesis, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 200	$ 700
Equity method investments			$ 6,200	$ 5,600
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		43.80%	44.10%	44.70%
T-REX Group, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Acquisitions of ownership interests in companies and funds, net of cash acquired			$ 6,000
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		21.10%	23.60%	23.60%
NovaSom, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 2,000	$ 1,000
Equity method investments			$ 22,100	$ 21,000
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage		31.70%	31.70%	31.70%
Good Start Genetics Inc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Convertible bridge loan		$ 1,800	$ 5,200
Equity method investments			$ 17,200	$ 12,000

Fair Value Measurements - Carr

Fair Value Measurements - Carrying Value and Fair Value of Certain Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	$ 6,336,000	$ 6,336,000
Trading securities	3,761,000	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	20,751,000	22,058,000
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336,000	6,336,000
Trading securities	3,761
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Carrying Value [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	4,452,000	15,686,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	20,751,000	22,058,000
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	6,336,000	6,336,000
Trading securities	3,761
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	0	0
Trading securities	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Long-term restricted cash equivalents	0	0
Trading securities	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	4,452,000	15,686,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities - held-to-maturity	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements - Narr

Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Marketable securities, current	$ 4,452	$ 8,384
Marketable securities, non current	$ 0	$ 7,302

Convertible Debentures and Cr43

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements - Credit Facility (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from credit facility		$ 50,000	$ 0	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 75,000
Liquidity threshold	$ 20,000
Tangible net worth plus unrestricted cash multiplier	1.75
Minimum aggregate appraised value plus liquidity threshold	$ 350,000
Outstanding debentures	50,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	75,000
Long-term line of credit	50,000
Proceeds from credit facility	$ 44,300
Debt instrument, term	3 years	3 years
Amount outstanding threshold	$ 50,000
Commitment fee percentage	0.75%
Liquidity threshold	$ 20,000
Tangible net worth plus unrestricted cash multiplier	1.75
Minimum aggregate appraised value plus liquidity threshold	$ 350,000
Outstanding debentures		$ 50,000
Unamortized discount (premium) and debt issuance costs, net		4,700
Long-term debt		45,300
Amortization of debt issuance costs		$ 1,000
Debt instrument effective rate		14.60%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Application A [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	8.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Application A [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Application B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Interest rate on debentures	7.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Application B [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Application B [Member] | Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%

Convertible Debentures and Cr44

Convertible Debentures and Credit Arrangements - Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 Narrative (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Nov. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of debt discount		$ 2,542,000	$ 1,604,000	$ 1,472,000
Convertible Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of convertible senior debentures		41,000,000			$ 55,000,000
Interest rate on debentures					5.25%
Repurchased face amount	$ 14,000,000
Repayments of long-term debt	$ 14,500,000
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt		29,000
Long-term debt		$ 41,000,000
Number of days within 30 consecutive trading days in which the closing price of the entity's common stock exceeded the conversion price giving the holders of the debentures an option (in days)		20 days
Number of consecutive trading days during which the closing price of the entity's common stock exceeded the conversion price for at least 20 days giving the holders of the debentures an option (in days)		30 days
Number of days after five consecutive trading days in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount was less than 98% of the product of the closing sale price per share of Company common stock multiplied by the conversion rate on each such trading day (in days)		5 days
Number of consecutive trading days during which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount for at least five days was less than 98% of the product of the closing sale price per share of Company common stock multiplied by the conversion rate on each such trading day (in days)		5 days
Principal amount of convertible debentures		$ 1,000
Closing price is percentage of conversion price		98.00%
Conversion rate of common stock		55.17
Conversion price (in dollars per share)		$ 18.13
Closing price for common stock		$ 11.20
Sales price of common stock to conversion price		140.00%
Debentures redemption price		100.00%
Change in control due to debentures redemption		50.00%
Percentage of principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest for repurchase of debt		100.00%
Outstanding debentures		$ 41,000,000
Fair value of debentures outstanding		41,600,000
Gross carrying amount of equity component		5,600,000
Unamortized discount		500,000
Convertible principal amount outstanding		40,500,000
Amortization of debt discount		$ 1,500,000	$ 1,600,000	$ 1,500,000
Debt instrument effective rate		8.70%
Convertible Debt [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of the closing sales price of the entity's common stock that the conversion price exceeded giving the holders of the debentures an option (as a percent)		130.00%
Convertible Debt [Member] | Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion of convertible securities, net of adjustments		$ 800,000

Equity (Detail)

Equity (Detail) - USD ($) shares in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jul. 01, 2015
Stock Repurchase [Line Items]
Repurchase of common stock			$ 5,389,000	$ 4,997,000
Common Stock [Member]
Stock Repurchase [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount (in shares)					$ 25,000,000
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		0.7
Repurchase of common stock		$ 10,400,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount		$ 14,600,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Stock Repurchase [Line Items]
Individual ownership percent maximum	4.99%

Stock-Based Compensation - Add

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)vesting_type$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Reserved shares of common stock for possible future issuance	3,400,000
Number of award vesting types | vesting_type	2
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options issued (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 2.36	$ 3.29	$ 4.25
Total intrinsic value of options exercised | $	$ 0.1	$ 0.9	$ 0.9
Cash liability for performance-based units | $	$ 0
Employee stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options issued (in shares)	0	46,000
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted (in shares)	0	0	0
Options vested (in shares)	1,000	4,000	0
Options forfeited in period (in shares)	8,000	106,000	9,000
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ (0.2)	$ 0.2	$ 0
Options, nonvested, number of shares (in shares)	335,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted | $	$ 0.1
Weighted-average period for recognition (in years)	1 year 10 months 24 days
Service Based Award [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted (in shares)	8,000	27,000	31,000
Options forfeited in period (in shares)	80,000	22,000	8,000
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 0.1	$ 0.2	$ 0.3
Vesting period (in years)	4 years
Expiration term (in years)	8 years
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted | $	$ 0.1
Weighted-average period for recognition (in years)	2 years 1 month 6 days
Market Based Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted (in shares)	0
Options vested (in shares)	0
Options forfeited in period (in shares)	0	136,000	91,000
Stock-based compensation expense | $		$ 0	$ 0
Expiration term (in years)	8 years
Performance Stock Unit [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options issued (in shares)		226,000	153,000
Vested (in shares)	1,000	1,000	7,000
Forfeited (in shares)	6,000	49,000	5,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options issued (in shares)	163,000	130,000	81,000
Vesting period (in years)	4 years
Forfeited (in shares)	3,000	12,000	2,000
Restricted Stock [Member] | Non Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options issued (in shares)	22,000	10,000	9,000
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 0.3	$ 0.1	$ 0.1
Deferred Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options issued (in shares)	54,000	47,000	44,000
Percentage of shares vested in lieu of directors fees at the grant date	100.00%
Portion of Director fees matched to deferred stock units	25.00%
Vesting period of deferred stock (in years)	1 year
Restricted Stock Unit And Performance Stock Unit And Deferred Stock Unit [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 1.3	$ 1.9	$ 1.3
Vested (in shares)	135,000	89,000
Forfeited (in shares)	10,000	61,000
Compensation cost not yet recognized | $	$ 5.1
Total fair value of stock-based compensation vested | $	$ 1.6	$ 1.2	$ 1.1
2014 Equity Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized for issuance	4,100,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Sto

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,138	$ 2,394	$ 1,611
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 1,138	$ 2,394	$ 1,611

Stock-Based Compensation - Ass

Stock-Based Compensation - Assumptions used in Valuation of Options Granted (Detail) - Service Based Award [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	22.00%	25.00%	26.00%
Average expected option life	5 years	5 years	5 years
Risk-free interest rate	2.10%	1.50%	1.50%

Stock-Based Compensation - Opt

Stock-Based Compensation - Option Activity (Detail) - Stock Option [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Shares
Outstanding, Beginning Balance	678	1,085	1,316
Options granted	8	27	31
Options exercised	(29)	(170)	(155)
Options canceled/forfeited	(88)	(264)	(107)
Outstanding, Ending Balance	569	678	1,085
Options exercisable	198
Shares available for future grant	1,884
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$ 14.90	$ 12.86	$ 12.81
Options granted	11.33	13.03	17.26
Options exercised	10.16	7.56	13.12
Options canceled/forfeited	17.20	11.06	13.06
Outstanding, Ending Balance	14.74	$ 14.90	$ 12.86
Options exercisable	$ 15.67
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding, contractual life (in years)	3 years 8 months 16 days
Options exercisable (in years)	2 years 7 months 24 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding intrinsic value	$ 80
Options exercisable	$ 0

Stock-Based Compensation - Def

Stock-Based Compensation - Deferred Stock Unit, Performance-Based Stock Unit and Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) - Restricted Stock Unit And Performance Stock Unit And Deferred Stock Unit [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Unvested, shares
Unvested, Beginning Balance	933	670
Granted	217	413
Vested	(135)	(89)
Forfeited	(10)	(61)
Unvested, Ending Balance	1,005	933
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested, Beginning Balance	$ 14.79	$ 16.16
Granted	11,430	13.27
Vested	13,750	16.46
Forfeited	14,380	17.08
Unvested ,Ending Balance	$ 14,210	$ 14.79

Other Income (Loss), Net (Detai

Other Income (Loss), Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Income and Expense [Line Items]
Loss on mark-to-market of holdings in trading securities									$ (493)
Loss on impairment									(216)	$ (2,360)
Gain on sale of business										424	$ 2,914
Other										254	57
Other income (loss), net	$ (120)	$ (379)	$ (89)	$ 249	$ 64	$ (2,405)	$ 659	$ 0	(339)	(1,682)	217
Dabo [Member]
Other Income and Expense [Line Items]
Loss on impairment											(2,356)
Penn Mezzanine Assets [Member]
Other Income and Expense [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt									399	$ (2,400)
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]
Other Income and Expense [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt									$ (29)
Legacy Private Equity Funds [Member]
Other Income and Expense [Line Items]
Loss on impairment											$ (398)

Income Taxes - Narrative (Deta

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
State income tax expense (benefit), continuing operationsi	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Statutory tax (benefit) expense	(35.00%)	(35.00%)	(35.00%)
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 254,300
Deferred tax asset, provisional income tax expense (benefit)	$ 82,500

Income Taxes - Differences Bet

Income Taxes - Differences Between United States Federal Income Tax Rate and Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory tax (benefit) expense	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Increase in taxes resulting from:
Stock-based compensation	(0.00%)	0.20%	0.10%
Nondeductible expenses	0.20%	0.40%	0.20%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act impact	93.20%	(0.00%)	(0.00%)
Valuation allowance	(58.40%)	34.40%	34.70%
Effective income tax rate, percent	(0.00%)	(0.00%)	(0.00%)

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax As

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax asset:
Carrying values of partner companies and other holdings	$ 69,751	$ 95,134
Tax loss and credit carryforwards	58,138	82,775
Accrued expenses	766	1,183
Stock-based compensation	814	1,763
Other	967	1,310
Deferred tax assets, gross	130,436	182,165
Valuation allowance	(130,436)	(182,165)
Net deferred tax asset	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes - Carryforwards E

Income Taxes - Carryforwards Expiration (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
2,018	$ 0
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	3,728
2022 and thereafter	250,572
Total	$ 254,300

Net Income (Loss) Per Share -

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Calculations of Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Basic:
Net loss	$ (18,728)		$ (18,650)		$ (29,097)		$ (22,097)		$ (21,701)		$ (24,085)		$ 38,976		$ (15,452)		$ (88,572)	$ (22,262)	$ (59,524)
Basic (in shares)																	20,430	20,343	20,874
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (1.43)	[1]	$ (1.08)	[1]	$ (1.07)	[1]	$ (1.18)	[1]	$ 1.92	[1]	$ (0.76)	[1]	$ (4.34)	$ (1.09)	$ (2.85)
Diluted:
Net loss	$ (18,728)		$ (18,650)		$ (29,097)		$ (22,097)		$ (21,701)		$ (24,085)		$ 38,976		$ (15,452)		$ (88,572)	$ (22,262)	$ (59,524)
Diluted (in shares)																	20,430	20,343	20,874
Net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (1.43)	[1]	$ (1.08)	[1]	$ (1.07)	[1]	$ (1.18)	[1]	$ 1.70	[1]	$ (0.76)	[1]	$ (4.34)	$ (1.09)	$ (2.85)
[1]	Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share 57

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Narrative (Detail) - $ / shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares of common stock at prices ranging, lower limit	$ 9.83	$ 9.83	$ 7.14
Shares of common stock at prices ranging, upper limit	$ 19.95	$ 19.95	$ 19.95
Employee stock options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation (in shares)	0.6	0.7	1.1
Restricted Stock Unit And Performance Stock Unit And Deferred Stock Unit [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation (in shares)	1	0.9	0.7
Convertible Senior Debentures due 2018 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Share of common stock excluded from diluted net loss per share calculation (in shares)	2.3	3	3

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			204 Months Ended
	May 31, 2001	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Loan agreement	$ 26,500,000
Impairment charges against loan		$ 15,700,000
Receipt in payments on loan		0	$ 100,000	$ 0	$ 17,100,000
Loan, carrying value		$ 0			$ 0

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2001	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2018
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Total rental expense under operating leases			$ 500	$ 500	$ 500
2,018			593
2,019			605
2,020			603
2,021			598
2022 and thereafter			2,648
Future minimum payments			5,047
Company outstanding guarantees			3,800
Accrued expenses			1,851	$ 2,223
Annual payments	$ 650
Loans receivable, net			6,300
Employee Severance [Member]
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Restructuring and related cost, expected cost			2,900
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities [Member]
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Liability to former chairman and chief executive officer, current			800
Other long-term liabilities [Member]
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Liability to former chairman and chief executive officer, non-current			$ 1,800
Clawback Liability [Member]
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Company's ownership in the funds			19.00%
Accrued expenses			$ 1,000
Estimate of possible loss			$ 300
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Severance costs		$ 1,300
Minimum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Restructuring, projected annual cost savings						$ 5,000
Maximum [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Commitment Contingencies And Guarantees [Line Items]
Restructuring, projected annual cost savings						$ 6,000

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform60

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Converted instrument amount	$ 10.8	$ 3.9
Interest payments	5	2.9	$ 2.9
Cash paid for taxes	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Operating Segments - Narrative

Operating Segments - Narrative (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2017partner_company
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Non-consolidated partner companies	25

Operating Segments - Active Pa

Operating Segments - Active Partner Companies by Segment (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Advantedge Healthcare Solutions Inc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	40.10%	40.10%		40.10%
Aktana, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	24.50%	31.20%	23.40%
Apprenda [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	29.30%	29.40%		29.50%
BrickWork [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	20.30%	20.30%		20.30%
Cask Data [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	31.20%	31.30%		34.20%
CloudMine [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	47.30%	30.10%		30.10%
Clutch [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	42.70%	42.80%		39.30%
Hoopla Software, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	25.50%	25.50%		25.60%
InfoBionic [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	39.50%	39.70%		38.50%
Lumesis, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	43.80%	44.10%		44.70%
MediaMath, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	20.50%	20.50%		20.60%
meQuilibrium [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	36.20%	31.50%		31.50%
Moxe Health [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	32.40%	32.40%		32.60%
NovaSom, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	31.70%	31.70%		31.70%
Prognos [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	28.70%	35.20%		34.50%
Propeller [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	24.00%	24.00%		24.60%
QuanticMind, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	24.70%	23.20%		23.60%
Sonobi [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	21.60%	21.60%		22.60%
Spongecell [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	23.00%	23.00%		23.00%
Syapse, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	20.10%	26.20%		24.40%
T-REX Group, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	21.10%	23.60%		23.60%
Transactis [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	23.80%	24.20%		24.50%
Trice [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	24.80%	27.60%		27.70%
WebLinc [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	38.00%	38.00%		29.20%
Zipnosis [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest under equity method, percentage	25.40%	25.40%		26.30%

Selected Quarterly Financial 63

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Sep. 30, 2017		Jun. 30, 2017		Mar. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016		Mar. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
General and administrative expense	$ 3,940		$ 3,758		$ 4,486		$ 4,947		$ 3,928		$ 4,687		$ 4,849		$ 5,228		$ 17,131	$ 18,692	$ 17,554
Operating loss	(3,940)		(3,758)		(4,486)		(4,947)		(3,928)		(4,687)		(4,849)		(5,228)		(17,131)	(18,692)	(17,554)
Other income (loss), net	(120)		(379)		(89)		249		64		(2,405)		659		0		(339)	(1,682)	217
Interest income	984		1,004		1,087		801		615		513		527		420		3,876	2,075	1,935
Interest expense	(2,667)		(2,643)		(2,112)		(1,198)		(1,169)		(1,161)		(1,155)		(1,149)		(8,620)	(4,634)	(4,523)
Equity income (loss)	(12,985)		(12,874)		(23,497)		(17,002)		(17,283)		(16,345)		43,794		(9,495)		(66,358)	671	(39,599)
Net loss before income taxes	(18,728)		(18,650)		(29,097)		(22,097)		(21,701)		(24,085)		38,976		(15,452)		(88,572)	(22,262)	(59,524)
Income tax benefit (expense)	0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0		0	0	0
Net loss	$ (18,728)		$ (18,650)		$ (29,097)		$ (22,097)		$ (21,701)		$ (24,085)		$ 38,976		$ (15,452)		$ (88,572)	$ (22,262)	$ (59,524)
Net loss per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (1.43)	[1]	$ (1.08)	[1]	$ (1.07)	[1]	$ (1.18)	[1]	$ 1.92	[1]	$ (0.76)	[1]	$ (4.34)	$ (1.09)	$ (2.85)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (0.91)	[1]	$ (1.43)	[1]	$ (1.08)	[1]	$ (1.07)	[1]	$ (1.18)	[1]	$ 1.70	[1]	$ (0.76)	[1]	$ (4.34)	$ (1.09)	$ (2.85)
[1]	Per share amounts for the quarters have each been calculated separately. Accordingly, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of differences in the average common shares outstanding during each period. Additionally, in regard to diluted per share amounts only, quarterly amounts may not add to the annual amounts because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive, and because of the adjustments to net income (loss) for the dilutive effect of partner company common stock equivalents and convertible securities.

Subsequent Events Subsequent Ev

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details)	Jan. 31, 2018
Flashtalking [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	10.00%