Gladstone Investment Corporation operates as a Business Development Company (BDC), focusing its investment activities on established, lower middle-market businesses. The firm primarily engages in funding company buyouts and refinancing existing debt. Its investment portfolio includes a broad spectrum of debt instruments, such as senior loans, various types of subordinated debt (including senior and junior subordinated notes, and mezzanine financing), as well as equity interests like limited liability company stakes, warrants, and options. Gladstone explicitly avoids early-stage or start-up investments. The corporation targets companies within the manufacturing, consumer products, and business/consumer services sectors, specifically seeking small to mid-sized enterprises based in the United States. Debt investments typically range from $5 million to $30 million, while equity investments usually fall between $10 million and $40 million. Target portfolio companies are expected to have an EBITDA between $4 million and $15 million. Gladstone aims for significant involvement, often seeking a board seat and either a substantial minority equity position or, in some cases, a controlling majority stake. Investments are generally held for approximately seven years, with exit strategies commonly involving a sale or recapitalization, an initial public offering (IPO), or a divestiture to a third party.