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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 27, 2004

Registration No. 333-114552

U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM N-2

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
o    PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
ý    POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1

PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor
New York, NY 10016
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 448-0702

John F. Barry III
M. Grier Eliasek
c/o Prospect Capital Management, LLC
10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor
New York, NY 10016
(212) 448-0702
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies of information to:

Margery K. Neale
Thomas J. Friedmann
Shearman & Sterling LLP
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022-6069
(212) 848-4000		   Steven B. Boehm
Cynthia M. Krus
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004-2415
(202) 383-0100

        Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:    As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

        If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a distribution reinvestment plan, check the following box. o

        It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
o    when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c).

        If appropriate, check the following box:
o    This [post-effective] amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed [post-effective amendment] [registration statement].

o    This form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act and the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering is            .

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Title of Securities Being Registered
   Amount Being Registered(1)(2)
   Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit
   Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1)(2)
   Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share   13,800,000   $15.00   $207,000,000   $26,226.90(3)
(1)
Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.
(2)
Includes the amount of shares issuable pursuant to the underwriters' over-allotment option.
(3)
Previously paid.

        THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

PROSPECTUS

7,000,000 Shares

GRAPHIC

Prospect Energy Corporation

Common Stock

        Prospect Energy Corporation is a financial services company that will lend to and invest in middle market privately held or thinly traded public companies in the energy industry. Our investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We will strive to achieve our investment objective by providing flexible financial solutions for our portfolio companies. Our investments may be structured as secured and unsecured senior and subordinated loans, as well as equity securities such as common and preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants and options.

        Prospect Energy Corporation is a newly organized closed-end investment company that has filed an election to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

        Prospect Capital Management, LLC will manage our investments and Prospect Administration, LLC will provide the administrative services necessary for us to operate.

        Because we are newly organized, our shares have no history of public trading. Our common stock has been approved for quotation on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PSEC."

        See "Risk Factors" on page 13 in this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our common stock. Please read this prospectus before you invest and keep it for future reference. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value, increasing the risk of loss to purchasers in this offering.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
   Per share
   Total(3)
Public offering price   $ 15.00   $ 105,000,000
Sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions)(1)   $ 1.05   $ 7,350,000
Proceeds, before expenses, to us(2)   $ 13.95   $ 97,650,000
(1)
Excludes a one-time fee of 0.25% of the gross proceeds, or $262,500 in the aggregate, not to exceed $301,875 if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option, payable by us to Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated for financial advisory services.

(2)
We estimate that we will incur approximately $1,268,500 in offering expenses in connection with this offering.

(3)
The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to 1,050,000 additional shares of common stock at the public offering price less the sales load to cover over-allotments, if any. If the underwriters exercise this option in full, the total public offering price will be $120,750,000, the total sales load will be $8,452,500 and the total proceeds to us, before expenses, will be $112,297,500.

        The underwriters will reserve up to 66,667 shares for sale to our directors and officers and to certain other parties related to us.

        The underwriters are offering the common stock as set forth in "Underwriting." The shares will be ready for delivery on or about July 30, 2004.

  Ferris, Baker Watts  
  Incorporated  

 
D.A. Davidson & Co.
 
  Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.  
  Wunderlich Securities, Inc.  

The date of this prospectus is July 27, 2004


PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under "Risk factors" and the other information included in this prospectus. The terms "we," "us," "our" and "Prospect Energy" refer to Prospect Energy Corporation; "Prospect Capital Management" or the "investment adviser" refers to Prospect Capital Management, LLC; "Prospect Administration" refers to Prospect Administration, LLC; and "Prospect" refers to the affiliated present and predecessor companies of Prospect Capital Management, LLC.

The Company

        Prospect Energy Corporation is a financial services company that will lend to and invest in middle market privately held or thinly traded public companies in the energy industry. We intend to focus on making investments in energy companies (as defined below) and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in these companies.

        We intend to concentrate on making investments in energy companies having annual revenues of less than $250 million and in transaction sizes of less than $100 million, which we refer to as "target" or "middle market" companies. In most cases, these middle market companies will be privately held or will have thinly traded public securities at the time we invest in them.

        We will seek to maximize returns to our investors by applying rigorous credit analysis and asset-based lending techniques to make and monitor our investments in asset intensive energy companies. We do not intend to invest directly in any energy company with its principal business exclusively in (1) oil and gas exploration, (2) speculative risks or (3) speculative trading in oil, gas and/or other commodities, although some of the energy companies that we do invest in may be involved in some exploration or development activity.

        We are a newly organized closed-end investment company that has filed an election to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the "1940 Act," and we are a non-diversified company within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

Industry Overview

        The energy industry is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy upon which other industries depend. We believe the direct energy value chain (as defined below) generated annual revenues in excess of $700 billion in the U.S. in 2003, and its total U.S. asset value exceeded $1 trillion at the end of 2003. By these measures, the energy industry is one of the largest industry groups in the U.S. The demand for energy has grown steadily over the past century and is projected to continue to grow steadily in the current century.

        The energy industry consists of companies in the direct energy value chain as well as companies that sell products and services to, or acquire products and services from, the direct energy value chain. In this prospectus, we refer to all of these companies as "energy companies" and assets in these companies as "energy assets." The categories of energy companies in this chain are illustrated below. The direct energy value chain broadly includes upstream businesses, midstream businesses and downstream businesses:

1


Energy Industry:

        The categories of energy companies in the direct energy value chain are as follows:

GRAPHIC

        While the aggregate size of the U.S. revenues and asset base of energy companies is large, we believe that the numerous companies in this industry, as well as the fragmented nature of assets within such companies, create significant opportunities for middle market investment. We believe that there are over 6,000 middle market companies in the direct energy value chain in the U.S. In addition, assets within larger companies as well as companies that do significant business with the direct energy value chain, including manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and technology providers, add to the number of potential middle market investment opportunities in the energy industry. Government and industry association statistics indicate that in the U.S. there are currently more than 260,000 natural gas wells, 310,000 oil wells, 61,000 oil and gas fields, 2,000 active well service rigs, 5,000 independent oil and gas producers, 410 natural gas storage fields, 140 major pipelines, 1,400 coal mines, 13,500 propane storage points, 16,400 power generation units, 800 power marketers, 230 investor-owned electric utilities and 150 investor-owned gas utilities. To a greater extent than in many other industries, the energy industry offers opportunities to invest in asset-intensive companies.

2


Market Opportunity

        We intend to invest primarily in the energy industry. We believe this industry offers an attractive area for investment due to a variety of factors.

3


Competitive Advantages

        We believe that we have the following competitive advantages over other capital providers in middle market energy companies and assets:

4

5


Prospective Portfolio Companies

        The chart below sets forth a brief description of key terms of each non-binding memorandum of understanding that we have entered into to make an investment, either directly or indirectly. We currently expect to fund the investments described in these non-binding agreements using the net proceeds of this offering. The consummation of each investment will depend upon the completion of this offering, satisfactory completion of our due diligence investigation of the prospective portfolio companies, our confirmation and acceptance of the investment terms, structure and financial covenants, the execution and delivery of final binding agreements in form mutually satisfactory to the parties, the absence of any material adverse change and the receipt of any necessary consents. At this time, the final form of our investments remains subject to additional negotiations with these companies and the final terms may change from those indicated below. We have no relationship with any prospective portfolio company other than these non-binding memoranda of understanding. See "Business—Prospective Portfolio Companies" for a discussion of the proposed portfolio companies and our non-binding memoranda of understanding.

Name
   Product/service
   Type of
security
   Term
   Maximum
principal
Amount
   Principal
financial terms
CASE COAL, LLC
30078 Schoenherr
Suite 150
Warren, MI		   Coal production   Senior secured debt   4 years;
8 months		   $3 million;
$700,000		   Cash interest of 12% annually, plus contractual right to receive operating cash flow to repay principal and interest until we achieve 20% (in the case of the $3 million tranche) and 30% (in the case of the $700,000 tranche) annualized internal rate of return on our principal, after which we receive 50% of operating cash flow and 50% of any asset sale proceeds; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

CGS LTD.
5 St. George's Court,
Kirkham, Lancashire,
United Kingdom
 
Natural gas storage
 
Senior secured debt
 
3.5 years
 
$35 million
 
Cash interest equal to greater of 12%–15% fixed annual rate and 7%–10% over LIBOR annually; right to purchase 2%–5% of equity (subject to negotiation); funding fee of 1.5%–2.0% of commitment amount
                     

6


CHRISTIAN OPERATING COMPANY
11250 West Road
Building H
Houston, TX
 
Oil and natural
gas production
 
Term credit facility
 
3 years
 
$25 million
 
Cash interest of 12%–15% annually; after repayment of principal and interest, contractual right to receive 40%–49% of operating cash flow and equity; funding fee of 2.0% of commitment amount; warrants (terms to be negotiated)

DENALI ENERGY, LLC
30078 Schoenherr
Suite 150
Warren, MI
 
Natural gas production
 
Term loan
 
5 years
 
$25 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount; five-year warrants to purchase up to 15% of equity (purchase price be negotiated)

FRONTSTREET PARTNERS, LLC
31 Swift's Lane
Darien, CT
 
Cogeneration electrical power and steam plant
 
Convertible preferred debt
 
12 years
 
$15 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; second lien on collateral; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

MAC, LLC
370 Seventeenth Street
Denver, CO
 
Oil and gas production
 
Senior secured debt
 
3 years
 
$20 million
 
Cash interest of 15% annually; funding fee of 2% of commitment amount; ten-year warrants to purchase up to 6% of equity at purchase price of $0.01 per share

NEW HAVEN
ACQUISITION, LLC
21 Sumner Street
Suite 2000
Colorado Springs, CO
 
Natural gas and oil production and gas storage
 
Senior secured debt
 
5 years
 
$9 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually, plus contractual right to 85% of operating cash flow until we receive 115% of principal amount of investment, after which we receive contractual right to 70% of operating cash flow until we receive 125% of principal amount of investment, after which we receive contractual right to 50% of operating cash flow and any asset sale proceeds; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

NFE BIOFUELS & ENERGY, INC.
10 High Street
Suite 620
Boston, MA
 
Biodiesel and glycerin production
 
Subordinated secured debt
 
6 years
 
$20 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount; ten-year warrants to purchase 10% of equity of parent company on a fully diluted basis at an exercise price of $0.01 per share

PREMIER ENERGY MARKETING
30078 Schoenherr
Warren, MI
 
Electricity marketing
 
Subordinated secured debt
 
7 years
 
$8 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; contractual right to receive 5% of excess cash flow (defined as net operating cash flow minus, in first year, funding fee); funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

STRYKER FUND 2
6700 Beta Drive
Mayfield Village, OH
 
Natural gas production
 
Senior secured debt
 
5 years
 
$11 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; contractual right to receive operating cash flow until principal repaid and we achieve 15% annualized internal rate of return on our principal, after which we receive a contractual right to receive a portion of operating cash flow and any asset sale proceeds; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

SUNEDISON LLC
5019 N. 36th St.
Arlington, VA
 
Solar power generation
 
Subordinated secured debt
 
6 years
 
$5 million
 
Cash interest of greater of 12% and 10% over LIBOR annually with 15% cap; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount; after repayment of principal, contractual right to a portion of operating cash flow
                     

7


THE ENERGY GROUP, INC.(1)
9640 North Augusta Drive
Suite 414
Carmel, NJ
 
Natural gas and oil production and storage
 
Senior secured debt;
common stock
 
3 years
 
$25 million
 
Cash interest of greater of 15% and LIBOR plus 10% annually; funding fee of 2% of commitment amount; contractual right to operating cash flow until all principal and interest repaid, after which The Energy Group, Inc. will have right to purchase 51% of newly formed company
(1)
It is expected that our investment will be in an entity that will be newly formed.

Our Structure

        Our investment activities will be managed by Prospect Capital Management, an affiliate of Prospect.

        Prospect Capital Management is a newly formed investment adviser that is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or the "Advisers Act." The senior investment professionals of Prospect Capital Management have more than 100 years of combined energy investment experience. Under our investment advisory agreement, we have agreed to pay Prospect Capital Management investment advisory fees, which will consist of an annual base management fee based on our gross assets (including any amounts borrowed) as well as a two-part incentive fee based on our performance. Prospect Energy is currently the only Prospect investment vehicle actively engaged in making new investments.

        Prospect is a leading New York private investment firm with offices in New York and Houston founded in 1988 by former senior managers of Merrill Lynch & Co. Since its inception in 1988, Prospect has invested and managed more than $1.5 billion in multiple asset classes, including bridge loans, senior secured debt, senior unsecured debt, private mezzanine debt, publicly traded high-yield debt and public and private equity, using both private partnership and publicly traded closed-end structures.

        Our headquarters are located at 10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10016, and our telephone number is (212) 448-0702.

8


The Offering


Common stock offered by us
 
7,000,000 shares, excluding 1,050,000 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters. The underwriters will reserve up to 66,667 shares for sale to our directors and officers and to certain other parties related to us.
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering   7,000,100 shares, excluding 1,050,000 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters.
Use of proceeds   We plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering in portfolio companies, including those described under "Business—Prospective Portfolio Companies" elsewhere in this prospectus, in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus. In addition, we plan to use a portion of the net proceeds to pay our operating expenses and reimburse the investment adviser for organizational and offering expenses advanced to us. We expect that substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering will be invested within 15 months after the completion of this offering. However, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to achieve this goal. Since investments in short-term securities may be made more quickly than investments in mezzanine loans or dividend-paying equity securities, we anticipate that our portfolio may initially and temporarily include short-term securities that are liquid and generate yields in line with money market rates on a temporary basis. Within 15 months, however, we expect that our portfolio will include primarily mezzanine loans and/or dividend-paying equity securities. Pending these uses, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment. See "Use of proceeds."
Dividends   We intend to distribute quarterly dividends to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Our dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors. To the extent prudent and practicable, we intend to declare our first dividend no later than December 31, 2004, and thereafter, we intend to declare and pay dividends on a quarterly basis. See "Dividends."
Taxation   We intend to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or RIC. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC and obtain RIC tax treatment, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, out of assets legally available for distribution. See "Dividends" and "Material U.S. federal income tax considerations."
     

9

Dividend reinvestment plan   We have a dividend reinvestment plan for our stockholders. This is an "opt out" dividend reinvestment plan. As a result, if we declare a dividend, then dividends to stockholders will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless such stockholders specifically "opt out" of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of stock will be subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash. See "Dividend reinvestment plan."
Nasdaq National Market symbol   "PSEC"
Trading at a Discount   Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. This characteristic is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value could decrease as a result of investment activities and may be a greater risk to investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period following completion of this offering. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade at prices above, at or below our net asset value.
Anti-takeover provisions   Our charter and bylaws, as well as certain statutory and regulatory requirements, contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging a third party from making an acquisition proposal for us. These anti-takeover provisions may inhibit a change in control in circumstances that could give the holders of our common stock the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price of our common stock. See "Description of our capital stock."
Management arrangements   Prospect Capital Management will serve as our investment adviser. Prospect Administration will serve as our administrator. For a description of Prospect Capital Management, Prospect Administration and our contractual arrangements with these companies, see "Management—Investment advisory agreement," and "—Administration agreement."
Available information   After completion of this offering, we will be required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information will be available at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C. and on the SEC's Internet website at http://www.sec.gov.
Risk factors   See "Risk factors" beginning on page 13 and the other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

10

Fees and Expenses

        The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in this offering will bear directly or indirectly. Please note that, as a result of the decrease in the size of the offering from 12 million to 7 million shares, the expense ratio will increase from 2.84% to 3.03% on an annual basis, which is consistent with the number of shares and expense ratio communicated to you prior to the confirmation of sales in this offering. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by "you," "us" or "Prospect Energy," or that "we" will pay fees or expenses, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in Prospect Energy.

Stockholder transaction expenses:      
  Sales load (as a percentage of offering price)   7.00 %(1)
  Offering expenses borne by us (as a percentage of offering price)   1.21 %(2)
  Dividend reinvestment plan expenses   None     (3)
  Total stockholder transaction expenses (as a percentage of offering price)   8.21 %

Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):
 
 
 
  Base management fee   2.00 %(4)
  Incentive fees payable under investment advisory agreement (20% of realized capital gains and 20% of pre-incentive fee net investment income)   0.00 %(5)
  Interest payments on borrowed funds.   None     (6)
  Other expenses.   1.03 %(7)
  Total annual expenses (estimated)   3.03 %(4)(7)
(1)
The sales load (underwriting discounts and commissions) with respect to shares sold in this offering, which is a one-time fee, is the only sales load paid in connection with this offering.

(2)
Amount reflects estimated offering expenses of approximately $1,268,500. This amount includes the one-time financial advisory fee that we have agreed to pay Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated equal to 0.25% of the gross offering proceeds, or $262,500 in the aggregate, not to exceed $301,875 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option.

(3)
The expenses of the dividend reinvestment plan are included in "other expenses."

(4)
Our base management fee is based on our gross assets (including any amounts borrowed). See "Management—Investment advisory agreement" and footnote 5 below. Based on the estimated expenses set forth in the table, if our base management fee were based on net assets, such fee would be 2.02%. If in the future the average amount of our gross assets for each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, appropriately adjusted for any share issuances, repurchases or other transactions during such quarters, exceeds $750,000,000, our investment adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive 0.5% of the base management fee for that portion of the average amount of our gross assets that exceeds $750,000,000. This waiver may be terminated by the investment adviser at any time upon 90 days' prior notice.

(5)
Based on our current business plan, we do not expect to invest fully the net proceeds from this offering during our first year of operations, and we expect that we will not have any capital gains and we expect that we will have an amount of interest and dividend income that will not exceed the quarterly hurdle rate discussed below. As a result, we do not anticipate paying any incentive fees in the first year after the completion of this offering. Once fully invested, we expect the incentive fees we pay to increase to the extent we earn greater interest and dividend income through our investments in portfolio companies and, to a lesser extent, realize capital gains upon the sale of warrants or other equity investments in our portfolio companies. The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part, the income incentive fee, which is payable quarterly in arrears, will equal 20% of the excess, if any, of our pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds a 1.75% quarterly (7% annualized) hurdle rate, subject to a "catch up" provision measured as of the end of each calendar quarter. Our investment adviser has voluntarily agreed that for each fiscal quarter after January 1, 2005, the quarterly hurdle rate will be equal to the greater of (a) 1.75% and (b) a percentage equal to (i) the sum of the daily average of the "quoted treasury rate" for each month in the immediately preceding two quarters plus (ii) 0.50%. This voluntary agreement may be terminated by the investment adviser at any time upon 90 days' prior notice. The "catch-up" provision requires us to pay 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 125% of the quarterly hurdle rate in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized assuming an annualized hurdle rate of 7%). The catch-up provision is meant to provide our investment adviser with 20% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply when our pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 125% of the quarterly hurdle rate in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized assuming an annualized hurdle rate of 7%). The income incentive fee will be computed and paid on income that may include interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash. Our pre-incentive fee net investment income used to calculate the income incentive fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the 2% base management fee (see footnote 4 above). The second part of the incentive fee, the capital gains incentive fee, will equal 20% of our realized capital gains, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation and will be payable at the end of each calendar year beginning on December 31, 2004.

11


Examples of how the incentive fee would be calculated are as follows:


    Assuming pre-incentive fee net investment income of 0.55%, there would be no income incentive fee because such income would not exceed the hurdle rate of 1.75%.


    Assuming pre-incentive fee net investment income of 2.00%, the income incentive fee would be as follows:


    = 100% × (2.00%—1.75%)
    = 0.25%


    Assuming pre-incentive fee net investment income of 2.30%, the income incentive fee would be as follows:


    = (100% × ("catch-up": 2.1875%—1.75%)) + (20% × (2.30%—2.1875%))
    = (100% × 0.4375%) + (20% × 0.1125%)
    = 0.4375% + 0.0225%
    = 0.46%


    Assuming net realized capital gains of 6% and realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation of 1%, the capital gains incentive fee would be as follows:


    = 20% × (6% – 1%)
    = 20% × 5%
    = 1%


For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of the two-part incentive fee, see "Management—Investment advisory agreement."

(6)
We do not plan to incur any indebtedness, or to pay interest in respect thereof, during our first year of operations. We have not decided whether, and to what extent, we will finance investments using debt. However, assuming we borrow for investment purposes an amount equal to 40% of our total assets (including such borrowed funds) and that the annual interest rate on the amount borrowed is 4%, our total annual expenses (estimated) would be as follows:

Base management fee   2.00%
Incentive fees payable under investment advisory agreement (20% of realized capital gains and 20% of pre-incentive fee net investment income)   0.00%
Interest payments on borrowed funds   1.60%
Other expenses   1.03%
Total annual expenses (estimated)   4.63%
(7)
Includes estimated organizational expenses of $100,000 (which are non-recurring) and our overhead expenses, including payments under the administration agreement based on our projected allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Prospect Administration in performing its obligations under the administration agreement. See "Management—Administration agreement."

Example

        The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses that would be incurred over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in our common stock. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed we would have no leverage and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above.

 
   1 year
   3 years
   5 years
   10 years
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
 assuming a 5% annual return		   $ 109.91   $ 165.39   $ 223.01   $ 377.00

        While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5%. The two-part incentive fee under the investment advisory agreement, which, assuming a 5% annual return, would either not be payable or have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. This illustration assumes that we will not realize any capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation in any of the indicated time periods. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors after such expenses, would be higher. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the dividend. See "Dividend reinvestment plan" for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.

        This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses. Actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, before you decide whether to make an investment in our common stock. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Relating To Our Business and Structure

        We will depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the senior management of Prospect Capital Management. We will also depend, to a significant extent, on our investment adviser's access to the investment professionals of Prospect and the information and deal flow generated by the Prospect investment professionals in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities. For a description of the senior management team, see "Management." The senior management team will evaluate, negotiate, structure, close, monitor and service our investments. Our future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service of the senior management team, particularly John F. Barry III and M. Grier Eliasek. The departure of any of the senior managers of Prospect Capital Management could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective. In addition, we can offer no assurance that Prospect Capital Management will remain our investment adviser or that we will continue to have access to Prospect's investment professionals or its information and deal flow.

        The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of business development companies. For example, business development companies are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets primarily in securities of privately held or thinly traded U.S. public companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Our investment adviser's and its senior management's lack of experience in managing a portfolio of assets under such constraints may hinder their ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and, as a result, achieve our investment objective. In addition, our investment strategies will differ in some ways from those of other investment funds that have been managed in the past by the Prospect investment professionals.

        We were incorporated in April 2004 and have not yet commenced investment operations. We are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business enterprise, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of your investment in us could decline substantially or fall to zero. We anticipate that it may take us up to 15 months to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering. During this period, we will invest in temporary investments, such as short term securities, cash and cash equivalents. We expect such investments may earn yields substantially lower than the interest income that we anticipate receiving in respect of investments in subordinated debt and dividend-paying equity investments. As a result, we may not be able to pay any dividends during this period or, if we are able to do so, such dividends may be substantially lower than the dividends that we expect to pay when our portfolio is fully invested. If we do not realize yields in excess of our expenses, we may incur operating losses and the market price of our shares may decline.

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        If we are to maintain our status as a business development company, we must not acquire any assets other than "qualifying assets" unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are qualifying assets. If we acquire mezzanine loans or dividend-paying equity securities from an issuer that has outstanding marginable securities at the time we make an investment, these acquired assets cannot be treated as qualifying assets. See "Regulation—Qualifying Assets." This results from the definition of "eligible portfolio company" under the 1940 Act, which in part looks to whether a company has outstanding marginable securities.

        Amendments promulgated in 1998 by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to Regulation T under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, expanded the definition of marginable security to include any non-equity security. These amendments have raised questions as to whether a private company that has outstanding debt securities would qualify as an eligible portfolio company.

        We believe that the mezzanine loans and equity instruments that we expect to acquire should constitute qualifying assets because the privately held companies to which we lend will not, at the time of our investment, have outstanding marginable securities. Until the questions raised by the amendments to Regulation T have been clarified through SEC rulemaking or addressed by legislative, administrative or judicial action, we intend to treat as qualifying assets only those mezzanine loans that are not investment grade, do not have a public secondary market, and are issued by a private issuer that does not have outstanding a class of margin eligible securities at the time of our investment. Likewise, we will treat equity securities issued by a portfolio company as qualifying assets only if such securities are issued by a private company that has no marginable securities outstanding at the time we purchase such securities.

        To date, we do not believe that either the SEC or its staff has taken any position with respect to our analysis of the issues discussed above and neither the SEC nor its staff has indicated that they concur with our analysis. We intend to adjust our investment focus as needed to comply with and/or take advantage of any future administrative position, judicial decision or legislative action.

        If there were a court ruling or regulatory decision that conflicts with our interpretations, we could lose our status as a business development company or be precluded from investing in the manner described in this prospectus, either of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. See "—Regulations governing our operation as a business development company affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital." Such a ruling or decision also may require that we dispose of investments that we made based on our interpretation of Regulation T. Such dispositions could have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders. We may need to dispose of such investments quickly, which would make it difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. In addition, because these types of investments will generally be illiquid, we may have difficulty in finding a buyer and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss. See "—The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business."

        Prospect Capital Management is a newly formed investment adviser, and Prospect Energy is a newly organized company. As such, each entity is subject to the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business enterprise, including the lack of experience in managing or operating a business development company under the 1940 Act. Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our ability to grow, which will depend, in turn, on our investment adviser's ability to

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identify, analyze, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis will largely be a function of our investment adviser's structuring of investments, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and our access to financing on acceptable terms. As we grow, we and Prospect Capital Management will need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. Failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

        A large number of entities will compete with us to make the types of investments that we plan to make in target energy companies. We will compete with other business development companies, public and private funds, commercial and investment banks and commercial financing companies. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a business development company. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we face will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we can offer no assurance that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.

        We will not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we will offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that will be comparable to or lower than the rates we offer. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors' pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors' pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss.

        We may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as "senior securities," up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a business development company, to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments or sell additional shares of common stock and, depending on the nature of our leverage, to repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. In addition, any future issuance of additional shares of our common stock could dilute the percentage ownership of our current stockholders in us.

        As a business development company regulated under provisions of the 1940 Act, we are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of our common stock (1) if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and (2) our stockholders approve such sale. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any sales load).

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        In addition, we may in the future seek to securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we may create a wholly owned subsidiary and contribute a pool of loans to such subsidiary. This could include the sale of interests in the subsidiary on a non-recourse basis to purchasers who we would expect to be willing to accept a lower interest rate to invest in investment grade loan pools. We would retain a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans. An inability to successfully securitize our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business, fully execute our business strategy and decrease our earnings, if any. Moreover, the successful securitization of our loan portfolio might expose us to losses because the residual loans in which we do not sell interests will tend to be those that are riskier and more likely to generate losses.

        To maintain our qualification as a RIC, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or the "Code," and obtain RIC tax treatment, we must meet certain income source, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. The annual distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if we distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders on an annual basis. Because we may use debt financing in the future, we may be subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to qualify for RIC tax treatment. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. To qualify as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these tests may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for any reason and remain or become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution, and the actual amount of our distributions. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our shares. For additional information regarding asset coverage ratio and RIC requirements, see "Regulation—Senior securities" and "Material U.S. federal income tax considerations."

        For federal income tax purposes, we will include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or possibly in other circumstances, or contracted payment-in-kind interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount, which could be significant relative to our overall investment activities, or increases in loan balances as a result of contracted payment-in-kind arrangements, will be included in our income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash. While we intend to focus primarily on investments that will generate a current cash return, our investment portfolio may also include securities that do not pay some or all of their return in periodic current cash distributions.

        The income incentive fee payable by us will be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the income incentive fee will become uncollectible.

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        Since in some cases we may recognize taxable income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the tax requirement to distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, to obtain or maintain RIC tax treatment. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax. See "Material U.S. federal income tax considerations—Taxation as a RIC."

        We expect that a significant portion of our debt investments will bear interest at fixed rates and the value of these investments could be negatively affected by increases in market interest rates. In addition, an increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt to finance our investments. As a result, a significant increase in market interest rates could both reduce the value of our portfolio investments and increase our cost of capital, which would reduce our net investment income.

        A large percentage of our portfolio investments will consist of securities of privately held or thinly traded public companies. The fair value of these securities may not be readily determinable. We will value these securities quarterly at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors based on input from our investment adviser, a third party independent valuation firm and our audit committee. We may also be required to value any publicly traded securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors to the extent necessary to reflect significant events affecting the value of those securities. Our board of directors will utilize the services of an independent valuation firm to aid it in determining the fair value of any securities. The types of factors that may be considered in fair value pricing of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company's ability to make payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based

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on estimates, the determinations of fair value by our board of directors may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such securities.

        We will generally make investments in private companies. Substantially all of these securities will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded our investments. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we or our investment adviser has material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.

        We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including the interest or dividend rates payable on the debt or equity securities we acquire, the default rate on debt securities, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets, the seasonality of the energy industry, weather patterns, changes in energy prices and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

        Our executive officers and directors, and the executive officers of our investment adviser, Prospect Capital Management, may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or related lines of business as we do or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. Nevertheless, it is possible that new investment opportunities that meet our investment objective may come to the attention of one these entities in connection with another investment advisory client or program, and, if so, such opportunity might not be offered, or otherwise made available, to us. However, as an investment adviser, Prospect Capital Management has a fiduciary obligation to act in the best interests of its clients, including us. To that end, if Prospect Capital Management or its affiliates manage any additional investment vehicles or client accounts in the future, Prospect Capital Management will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner over time so as not to discriminate unfairly against any client. If Prospect Capital Management chooses to establish another investment fund in the future, when the investment professionals of Prospect Capital Management identify an investment, they will have to choose which investment fund should make the investment.

        In the course of our investing activities, under the investment advisory agreement we will pay base management and incentive fees to Prospect Capital Management, and will reimburse Prospect Capital Management for certain expenses it incurs. As a result, investors in our common stock will invest on a "gross" basis and receive distributions on a "net" basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments. As a result of this investment advisory agreement, there may be times when the management team of Prospect Capital Management has interests that differ from those of our stockholders, giving rise to a conflict.

        Prospect Capital Management will receive a quarterly income incentive fee based, in part, on our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. This

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income incentive fee is subject to a quarterly hurdle rate before providing an income incentive fee return to the investment adviser. To the extent we or Prospect Capital Management are able to exert influence over our portfolio companies, the income incentive fee may provide Prospect Capital Management with an incentive to induce our portfolio companies to accelerate or defer interest or other obligations owed to us from one calendar quarter to another. If our investment adviser terminates its voluntary agreement to have the income incentive fee be subject to a fluctuating hurdle rate, the hurdle rate would be fixed. This fixed hurdle rate has been based in relation to current interest rates, which are currently relatively low on a historical basis. Thus, if interest rates rise, it would become easier for our investment income to exceed the hurdle rate and, as a result, more likely that our investment adviser will receive an income incentive fee than if interest rates on our investments remained constant or decreased. Subject to the receipt of any requisite shareholder approval under the 1940 Act, our board of directors may readjust the hurdle rate by amending the investment advisory agreement.

        The income incentive fee payable by Prospect Energy will be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that has a deferred interest feature, it is possible that interest accrued under such loan that has previously been included in the calculation of the income incentive fee will become uncollectible. If this happens, our investment adviser will not be required to reimburse us for any such income incentive fee payments. If we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay this incentive fee or distributions to stockholders on such accrued income, we may be required to liquidate assets in order to do so. This fee structure could give rise to a conflict of interest for our investment adviser to the extent that it may encourage the investment adviser to favor debt financings that provide for deferred interest, rather than current cash payments of interest.

        We will enter into a royalty-free license agreement with Prospect Capital Management. Under this agreement, Prospect Capital Management will agree to grant us a non-exclusive license to use the name "Prospect Energy." Under the license agreement, we will have the right to use the "Prospect Energy" name for so long as Prospect Capital Management or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. In addition, we will rent office space from Prospect Administration, an affiliate of Prospect Capital Management, and pay Prospect Administration our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Prospect Administration in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. This may create conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.

        We and our portfolio companies will be subject to regulation by laws at the local, state and federal levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time. Accordingly, changes in these laws or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business. For additional information regarding the regulations we are subject to, see "Regulation."

Risks Related To Our Investments

        We seek to generate both current income and capital appreciation. However, the securities we invest in may not appreciate and, in fact, may decline in value, and the issuers of debt securities we invest in may default on interest and/or principal payments. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our investments, and any gains that we do realize may not be sufficient to offset any losses we experience.

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        We may initially invest the net proceeds of this offering in a limited number of companies. A consequence of this lack of diversification is that the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of such investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Beyond our income tax diversification requirements, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies. We estimate that, once we have invested substantially all of the net proceeds of this offering, we will have invested in approximately 15 to 25 portfolio companies, depending on the availability of appropriate investment opportunities consistent with our investment objective and market conditions. In addition, we intend to concentrate on making investments in the energy industry and to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in energy companies. As a result, a downturn in the energy industry could materially adversely affect us.

        We intend to concentrate our investments in the energy industry. Our definition of energy, as used in the context of the energy industry, is broad, and different sectors in the energy industry may be subject to variable risks and economic pressures. As a result, it will be difficult to anticipate the impact of changing economic and political conditions on our portfolio companies and, as a result, our financial results. The revenues, income (or losses) and valuations of energy companies can fluctuate suddenly and dramatically due to any one or more of the following factors:

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        We will invest in companies in the energy industry, most of which have relatively short or no operating histories. These companies will be subject to all of the business risk and uncertainties associated with any new business enterprise, including the risk that these companies may not reach their investment objective and the value of our investment in them may decline substantially or fall to zero.

        In addition, investment in the middle market energy companies that we are targeting involves a number of other significant risks, including:

        Our portfolio companies will generally be affected by the conditions and overall strength of the national, regional and local economies, including interest rate fluctuations, changes in the capital markets and changes in the prices of their primary commodities and products. These factors also impact the amount of residential, industrial and commercial growth in the energy industry. Additionally, these factors could adversely impact the customer base and customer collections of our portfolio companies.

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        As a result, many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans or meet other obligations during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase, and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease, during these periods. Adverse economic conditions also may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm our operating results.

        A portfolio company's failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company's ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, even though we may have structured our interest as senior debt or preferred equity, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt or equity holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to those of other creditors.

        We intend to invest primarily in mezzanine debt and dividend-paying equity securities issued by our portfolio companies. Our portfolio companies usually will have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt, or issue other equity securities, that rank equally with, or senior to, the securities in which we invest. By their terms, such instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of dividends, interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the securities in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of securities ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying the senior securityholders, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of securities ranking equally with securities in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other securityholders in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company. In addition, we may not be in a position to control any portfolio company in which we invest. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt or preferred equity investors.

        Although we expect that a substantial amount of our debt investments will be protected by holding security interests in the assets of the portfolio companies, we may not be able to fully realize the value of the collateral securing our investments due to one or more of the following factors:

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        The incentive fee payable by us to Prospect Capital Management may create an incentive for Prospect Capital Management to make investments on our behalf that are more speculative or involve more risk than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which this incentive fee payable is determined (calculated as a percentage of the return on invested capital) may encourage the investment adviser to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. The use of leverage would increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor holders of our common stock, including investors in this offering. Similarly, because the investment adviser will receive an incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments, the investment adviser may invest more than would otherwise be appropriate in companies whose securities are likely to yield capital gains, as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.

        The incentive fee payable by us to Prospect Capital Management also could create an incentive for Prospect Capital Management to invest on our behalf in instruments, such as zero coupon bonds, that have a deferred interest feature. Under these investments, we would accrue interest income over the life of the investment but would not receive payments in cash on the investment until the end of the term. Our net investment income used to calculate the income incentive fee, however, includes accrued interest. For example, accrued interest, if any, on our investments in zero coupon bonds will be included in the calculation of our incentive fee, even though we will not receive any cash interest payments in respect of payment on the bond until its maturity date. Thus, a portion of this incentive fee would be based on income that we have not yet received in cash.

        We have not yet identified all of the potential investments for our portfolio, and, thus, you will not be able to evaluate all of our potential investments prior to purchasing shares of our common stock. This factor will increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in our shares.

        Our investment strategy contemplates potential investments in securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information

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than is generally the case in the U.S., higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility.

        Although we expect that most of our investments will be U.S. dollar-denominated, our investments that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation, and political developments.

        We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we can offer no assurance that such strategies will be effective. If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to risks associated with such transactions. We may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transaction may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the portfolio positions should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.

        The success of our hedging transactions will depend on our ability to correctly predict movements, currencies and interest rates. Therefore, while we may enter into such transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations.

Risks Relating To This Offering

        We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results or maintain a tax status that will allow or require any specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. In addition, due to the asset coverage test applicable to us as a business development company, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. See "Dividends."

        The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making more difficult a change in control and preventing the removal of incumbent directors. After completion of this offering, we will be covered by the

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Maryland Business Combination Act (the "Business Combination Act") to the extent such statute is not superseded by applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. However, our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting any business combination between us and any other person from the Business Combination Act, subject to prior approval of such business combination by our board, including a majority of our directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (the "Control Share Act") provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Act any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock. If the applicable board resolution is repealed or our board does not otherwise approve a business combination, the Business Combination Act and the Control Share Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to that Act) may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

        Additionally, under our charter, our board of directors is divided into three classes serving staggered terms; our board of directors may, without stockholder action, authorize the issuance of shares of stock in one or more classes or series, including preferred stock; and our board of directors may, without stockholder action, amend our charter to increase the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have a negative impact on the price of our common stock and may discourage third party bids for ownership of our company. These provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to you for shares of our common stock.

        The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be speculative and aggressive, and therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for someone with low risk tolerance.

        The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:

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        We will have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds of this offering. We may use the net proceeds from this offering in ways with which you may not agree or for investments other than those contemplated at the time of the offering, unless such change in the use of proceeds is subject to stockholders' approval or prohibited by law.

        We cannot assure you that a trading market will develop for our common stock after this offering or, if one develops, that such trading market can be sustained or that the market price or trading volume in our common stock will not be highly volatile or subject to wide fluctuation. Shares of companies offered in an initial public offering often trade at a discount to the initial offering price due to underwriting discounts and related offering expenses. Also, shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value could decrease as a result of investment activities and may be a greater risk to investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period following completion of this offering. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below net asset value.

        Upon consummation of this offering, we will have 7,000,100 shares of common stock outstanding (or 8,050,100 shares of common stock outstanding if the over-allotment option is fully exercised). Following this offering, sales of substantial amounts of our common stock or the availability of such shares for sale could adversely affect the prevailing market price for our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities should we desire to do so.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Some of the statements in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. Such forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

        We use words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "future," "intends" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth in "Risk factors" and elsewhere in this prospectus. We caution you that forward-looking statements of this type are subject to uncertainties and risks, many of which cannot be predicted or quantified.

        We have based the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus on information available to us on the date of this prospectus, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports, if any, on Form 8-K.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We estimate that the net proceeds of this offering will be approximately $96,281,500 (or approximately $110,889,625 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), in each case assuming an initial public offering price of $15.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated organization and offering expenses of $1,368,500 (or approximately $1,407,875 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full) payable by us. Approximately $475,000 of these organizational and offering expenses have been advanced by the investment adviser on our behalf. A portion of the net proceeds of this offering also will be used to reimburse the investment adviser for this amount.

        We plan to invest the net proceeds of this offering in portfolio companies, including those described under "Business—Prospective portfolio companies" elsewhere in this prospectus, in accordance with our investment objective and strategies. See "Business—General." In addition, we plan to use a portion of the net proceeds to pay our operating expenses. We will seek to invest substantially all of the net proceeds from this offering within 15 months after the completion of this offering. However, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to achieve this goal. Since investments in short-term securities may be made more quickly than investments in mezzanine loans or dividend-paying equity securities, we anticipate that our portfolio may initially include short term securities that are liquid and generate yields in line with money market rates on a temporary basis. Within 15 months, however, we expect that our portfolio will include primarily mezzanine loans and/or dividend-paying equity securities.

        As described above, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less from the date of investment until such time as we invest in mezzanine loans or dividend-paying equity. The base management fee payable by us will not be reduced while our assets are invested in such securities. See "Regulation—Temporary investments" for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.

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DIVIDENDS

        We intend to distribute quarterly dividends to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Our dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors.

        In order to obtain RIC tax treatment, we must distribute at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, out of the assets legally available for distribution. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we currently intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of

        In addition, although we currently intend to distribute realized net capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of short-term capital losses), if any, at least annually, out of the assets legally available for such distributions, we may decide in the future to retain such capital gains for investment. In such event, the consequences of our retention of net capital gains are as described under "Material U.S. federal income tax considerations." We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, if we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings.

        We maintain an "opt out" dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a dividend, then stockholders' cash dividends will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically "opt out" of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash dividends. See "Dividend reinvestment plan."

        To the extent prudent and practicable, with respect to the period ended December 31, 2004, we intend to declare our first dividend no later than December 31, 2004. After December 31, 2004, we intend to declare and pay dividends on a quarterly basis.

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth (1) our actual capitalization at June 24, 2004 and (2) our capitalization as adjusted to reflect the effects of the sale of our common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $15.00 per share, after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and organizational and offering expenses payable by us. You should read this table together with "Use of proceeds" and our balance sheet included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 
   As of June 24, 2004
  
 
   Actual
   As adjusted(1)
  
Assets:          
Cash   $1,500   $96,283,000  
   
 
 
Total assets   $1,500   $96,283,000  
   
 
 
Amount owed to affiliate   $100,000   $0  

Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 100 shares outstanding, actual; 7,000,100 shares outstanding, as adjusted   1   7,000  
Capital in excess of par value   1,499   96,376,000  
   
 
 
Accumulated deficit   (100,000 ) (100,000 )
Total stockholders' equity   $(98,500 ) $96,283,000  
   
 
 
(1)
Does not include the underwriters' over-allotment option of 1,050,000 shares.

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DISCUSSION OF MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTED OPERATING PLANS

Overview

        Prospect Energy was incorporated under the Maryland General Corporation Law in April 2004. We have elected to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. As such, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in "qualifying assets," including securities of privately held or thinly traded public U.S. companies and cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. This offering will significantly increase our capital resources.

        We plan to generate revenue in the form of interest payable on the debt that we intend to hold, and capital gains and any dividends on dividend-paying equity securities, warrants, options or other equity interests that we may acquire in portfolio companies. We expect that our investments, if in the form of debt securities, will typically have a term of one to ten years and bear interest at a fixed or floating rate. To the extent achievable, we will seek to collateralize our investments by obtaining security interests in our portfolio companies' assets. Interest on debt securities generally is expected to be payable quarterly or semi-annually, with the amortization of principal generally being deferred for at least one or more years from the date of the initial investment. In some cases, we may also defer payments of interest for one or more years after our investment. The principal amount of the debt securities and any accrued but unpaid interest generally is expected to become due at the maturity date. We also may acquire equity securities that pay cash dividends on a recurring or customized basis. In addition, we also expect to generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and possibly consulting fees. Any such fees will be generated in connection with our investments and recognized as earned.

        Our primary operating expenses will include the payment of investment advisory fees and overhead expenses, including our allocable portion of overhead under the administration agreement. Our investment advisory fees will compensate our investment adviser for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing and monitoring our investments. See "Management—Investment advisory agreement" and "—Administration agreement." We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including those relating to: organization and offering; calculating our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by Prospect Capital Management payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors (such as independent valuation firms, accountants and legal counsel), in monitoring our financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on debt, if any, incurred to finance our investments; offerings of our common stock and other securities; investment advisory fees; fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments; transfer agent and custodial fees; registration fees; listing fees; taxes; independent directors' fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents with the SEC; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs; our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including auditor and legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by us or Prospect Administration in connection with administering our business, such as our allocable portion of overhead under the administration

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agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

        To the extent that any of our loans are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, we may enter into currency hedging contracts to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We may also enter into interest rate hedging agreements. Such hedging activities, which will be subject to compliance with applicable legal requirements, may include the use of futures, options and forward contracts. Costs incurred in entering into such contracts or in settling them will be borne by us.

        We will generate cash primarily from the net proceeds of this offering and any future offerings of securities and cash flows from operations, including interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. In the future, we may also fund a portion of our investments through borrowings from banks and issuances of senior securities. We do not expect to incur such indebtedness until the proceeds of this offering have been substantially invested. We may also securitize a portion of our investments in mezzanine or senior secured loans or other assets. Our primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies and cash distributions to holders of our common stock. Immediately after this offering, we expect to have cash resources of approximately $96,283,000 and no indebtedness, other than in connection with operating expenses in the ordinary course of business. This amount does not take into account the exercise of the over-allotment option. See "Use of proceeds."

Dividend Policy

        In order to obtain RIC tax treatment and to avoid corporate-level tax on our income, we must, among other requirements, distribute to our stockholders at least 90% of our ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, on an annual basis out of assets legally available for such distribution. We intend to pay dividends on a quarterly basis. In addition, we intend to distribute any realized net capital gains (i.e., realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) at least annually out of assets legally available for such distributions.

Contractual Obligations

        We have entered into two contracts under which we have material future financial commitments:

        Payments under the investment advisory agreement in future periods will be equal to (1) a base management fee based on a percentage of the value of Prospect Energy's gross assets and (2) a two-part incentive fee based on Prospect Energy's performance. Payments under the administration agreement will be equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Prospect Administration in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs. See "Management—Investment advisory agreement" and "—Administration agreement."

        Each of these contracts may be terminated by either party without penalty upon not more than 60 days' written notice to the other. Further, although our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer will have certain primary duties and responsibilities to Prospect Administration, they may also perform duties for other Prospect related entities.

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BUSINESS

General

        Prospect Energy Corporation is a financial services company that will lend to and invest in middle market privately-held or thinly traded public companies in the energy industry. We intend to focus on making investments in energy companies (as defined below) and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in these companies.

        We intend to concentrate on making investments in energy companies having annual revenues of less than $250 million and in transaction sizes of less than $100 million, which we refer to as "target" or "middle market" companies. In most cases, these middle market companies will be privately held or will have thinly traded public securities at the time we invest in them. While the size and the nature of the ownership of such companies will be factors in our decision to invest, they will only be two of multiple criteria that we will use in selecting our investments. Because we seek capital preservation, the most important consideration will be our assessment of the risk of loss relative to the expected return available from each investment.

        We will seek to maximize returns to our investors by applying rigorous credit analysis and asset-based lending techniques to make and monitor our investments in asset intensive energy companies. We do not intend to invest directly in any energy company exclusively involved in (1) oil and gas exploration, (2) speculative risks or (3) speculative trading in oil, gas and/or other commodities. Some of the energy companies that we do invest in may be involved in some exploration or development activity.

        We are a newly organized closed-end investment company that has filed an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act and we are a non-diversified company within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

        Our headquarters are located at 10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor, New York, New York 10016, and our telephone number is (212) 448-0702.

Industry Overview

        The energy industry is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy upon which other industries depend. We believe the direct energy value chain generated annual revenues in excess of $700 billion in the U.S. in 2003, and its total U.S. asset value exceeded $1 trillion at the end of 2003. Based on these measures, the energy industry is one of the largest industry group in the U.S. Energy is used by every residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and governmental customer in the U.S. for purposes such as heating, cooling, lighting, cooking, powering machines and devices and transportation. The demand for energy has grown steadily over the past century and is projected to continue to grow steadily in the current century.

        The energy industry consists of companies in the direct energy value chain as well as companies that sell products and services to, or acquire products and services from, the direct energy value chain. In this prospectus, we refer to all of these companies as "energy companies" and assets in these companies as "energy assets." The categories of energy companies in this chain are illustrated below. The direct energy value chain broadly includes upstream businesses, midstream businesses and downstream businesses:

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        The power and electricity segment consists of generation, long-distance power transmission, marketing and short-distance power distribution. Power generation is the conversion of non-renewable energy resources such as coal, natural gas and heating oil, or renewable resources such as wind, water, geothermal, solar, biomass, wood and waste resources, into electricity and often usable heat. Some components of the direct energy value chain, particularly the upstream, intrastate midstream and power generation segments, are largely deregulated and have prices set by markets, while other energy businesses are subject to regulation, including pricing approvals by governmental entities. This regulated segment includes "last-mile" power and gas utility distribution in some states and interstate gas pipelines. Some energy sources, primarily renewable energy, are subject to governmental incentives, which may include price floors and subsidies.

        We believe that there are many investment opportunities in the energy industry. See "—Market Opportunity."

Energy Industry:

        The categories of energy companies in the direct energy value chain are as follows:

GRAPHIC

        While the aggregate size of the revenues and asset base of energy companies is large, we believe that the numerous companies in this industry, as well as the fragmented nature of assets within such companies, create significant opportunities for middle market investment. We believe that there are over 6,000 middle market companies in the direct energy value chain in the U.S. In addition, assets within larger companies as well as companies that do significant business with the direct energy value

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chain, including manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and technology providers, add to the number of potential middle market investment opportunities in the energy industry. Government and industry association statistics indicate that in the U.S., there are currently more than 260,000 natural gas wells, 310,000 oil wells, 61,000 oil and gas fields, 2,000 active well service rigs, 5,000 independent oil and gas producers, 410 natural gas storage fields, 140 major pipelines, 1,400 coal mines, 13,500 propane storage points, 16,400 power generation units, 800 power marketers, 230 investor-owned electric utilities and 150 investor-owned gas utilities. To a greater extent than in many other industries, the energy industry offers opportunities to invest in asset-intensive companies.

Our Investment Objective

        Our investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. We will lend to and invest in middle market companies in the energy industry. While the structure of our investments will vary, we expect to invest in secured and unsecured senior and subordinated loans, generally referred to as mezzanine loans, which may include equity interests such as warrants or options received in connection with these loans, and dividend-paying equity securities, such as common and preferred stock and convertible securities, of target energy companies. We expect that our investments will range between approximately $5 million and $50 million each, although this investment size may vary proportionately as the size of our capital base changes.

        We may invest in different growth stages of energy companies. In general, we will seek to invest in companies or assets that either generate operating revenues, at the time of investment, or would generate such revenues on a pro forma basis after our investment is made. From time to time, however, we also may invest selectively in development-stage entities where future cash flows, if any, will be derived from contracts and, in our view, positive market prospects. Since investments in short-term securities may be made more quickly than investments in mezzanine loans or dividend-paying equity securities, we anticipate that our portfolio may initially include short-term securities that are liquid and generate yields in line with money market rates on a temporary basis. Over time, however, we expect that our portfolio will include primarily mezzanine loans and dividend-paying equity securities.

        While our primary focus will be on seeking current income through investment in the debt and/or dividend-paying equity securities of privately held or thinly traded public energy companies and long-term capital appreciation by acquiring accompanying warrants, options or other equity securities of such companies, we may invest up to 30% of the portfolio in opportunistic investments in order to seek enhanced returns for stockholders. Such investments may include investments in the debt and equity instruments of public companies that are not thinly traded. We expect that these public companies generally will have debt securities that are non-investment grade. Within this 30% basket, we may also invest in debt and equity securities of middle-market companies located outside of the United States.

        We intend to elect to be treated for federal income tax purposes as a RIC, under Subchapter M of the Code.

Our Structure

        Prospect Capital Management will manage our investments as our investment adviser. Prospect Capital Management is a newly formed investment adviser that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Under our investment advisory agreement, we have agreed to pay Prospect Capital Management investment advisory fees, which will consist of an annual base management fee based on our gross assets as well as a two-part incentive fee based on our performance.

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        Prospect Capital Management is led by John F. Barry III and M. Grier Eliasek, two senior executives with significant investment advisory and business experience. Both Messrs. Barry and Eliasek anticipate spending substantially all of their time in their roles at Prospect Capital Management working on our behalf. In addition to the current investment professionals of Prospect Capital Management, who have more than 100 years of combined energy investment experience, Prospect Capital Management intends to hire additional investment professionals. Prospect Capital Management also intends to draw upon Prospect's 16-year history and to benefit from the significant expertise of Prospect's investment professionals in transaction origination and screening, portfolio management, financial structuring, equity and debt syndication, capital markets and research. Mr. Barry currently controls Prospect Capital Management.

        Prospect is a leading New York private investment firm with offices in New York and Houston founded in 1988 by former senior managers of Merrill Lynch & Co. Since its inception, Prospect has invested and managed more than $1.5 billion in multiple asset classes, including bridge loans, senior secured debt, senior unsecured debt, private mezzanine debt, publicly traded high-yield debt and public and private equity, using both private partnership and publicly traded closed-end structures. The firm typically receives hundreds of investment opportunities each year from its transaction-sourcing network. Prospect generally leads transactions and has led or participated in syndications with other leading investment groups. Prospect has advised and managed capital for energy companies. These companies and others comprise a value-added strategic group of more than 100 energy companies that Prospect calls upon for transaction origination, due diligence, strategic partnerships and exits. Prospect Energy is currently the only Prospect investment vehicle actively engaged in making new investments.

Market opportunity

        We intend to invest primarily in the energy industry. We believe this industry offers an attractive area for investment due to a variety of factors:

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Competitive advantages

        We believe that we have the following competitive advantages over other capital providers to middle-market energy companies:

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Investment Process

        We have identified multiple criteria that we believe will prove important in seeking to achieve our investment objective with respect to target energy companies. These criteria will provide general guidelines for our investment decisions; however, we caution you that not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company in which we choose to invest.

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        We will generally perform multiple sensitivity analyses to determine the effects of changes in market conditions on any proposed investment. Such sensitivity analyses may include, among other things, simulations of changes in commodity prices, including oil and gas, changes in counterparty credit ratings, changes in interest rates, changes in economic activity and other events that would affect the performance of our investment. In general, we will not commit to any proposed investment that will not provide at least a minimum return under any of these simulations and, in particular, the sensitivity analysis related to changes in energy commodity prices.

        We will not invest in companies that accept completely speculative commodity risks. If commodity risks are unavoidable, we will typically require that such risks be hedged to a significant extent.

        We will generally require that our portfolio companies have an experienced management team with a verifiable track record. We will also require the portfolio companies to have in place proper incentives to induce management to succeed and to act in concert with our interests as investors on terms equal with or junior to ours.

        Our investment philosophy will place a premium on fundamental analysis from an investor's perspective and will have a distinct value orientation. We will focus on companies in which we can invest at relatively low multiples of operating cash flow and that generate a current cash return at the time of investment, or are expected to be profitable soon after the time of investment, on an operating cash flow basis. We believe that investing at low multiples of cash flow provides enhanced principal protection and higher absolute returns.

        The prospective liquidation value of the assets, if any, collateralizing the securities that we hold will be an important factor in our credit analysis. We will emphasize tangible assets, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, but will also give some weight to intangible assets, such as contracts, intellectual property, customer lists, networks and databases. We believe that, in most cases, investing at a discount to original cost, replacement cost or liquidation value provides enhanced principal protection and higher absolute returns.

        We will seek to invest in target energy companies that have developed a strong competitive position within their respective sector or niche in the energy industry. We will seek companies that demonstrate significant competitive advantages versus their competitors, which should help to protect their market position and profitability. We measure competitive position by looking at market share, pricing power, stability of revenues and margins, locational advantages, scale and other factors.

        We will seek to invest in companies that we believe will provide a steady stream of cash flow to repay our loans, pay our equity dividends and reinvest in their respective businesses. We expect that such internally generated cash flow, leading to the payment of interest on, and the repayment of the principal of, our investments in portfolio companies to be a key means by which we exit from our

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investments over time. In addition, we will also seek to invest in companies whose business models and expected future cash flows offer attractive exit possibilities. These companies include candidates for strategic acquisition by other industry participants and companies that may repay our investments through an initial public offering of common stock or another capital market transaction.

        Our investment adviser will conduct due diligence on prospective portfolio companies consistent with the approach for energy companies developed by the investment professionals of Prospect. The Prospect investment professionals conduct exhaustive due diligence investigations in their investment activities. In conducting their due diligence, the Prospect investment professionals use publicly available information as well as information from their extensive relationships with management teams, consultants, competitors and investment bankers and the direct experience of the senior professionals of Prospect.

        Our due diligence will typically include:

        Upon the completion of due diligence and a decision to proceed with an investment in a company, the principals leading the investment will present the investment opportunity to our investment adviser's investment committee, which will determine whether to pursue the potential investment. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by engineers, attorneys and accountants prior to the closing of the investment, as well as consultants and other outside advisers, as appropriate.

        Once we have determined that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, we will work with the management of that company and its other capital providers, if any, to structure an investment. We will negotiate among these parties to agree on how our investment is expected to perform relative to the other capital in the portfolio company's capital structure. We will generally target a total return of 10% to 25% for our mezzanine and dividend-paying equity investments and a total return of between 2% and 8% over the London Interbank Offer Rate, or LIBOR, for our senior secured investments. However, we can offer no assurance that we can achieve such a return with respect to any investment or our portfolio as a whole.

        We believe our position in the balance sheet of these energy companies is important. We anticipate structuring our debt investments with the maximum seniority and collateral that we can reasonably obtain while seeking to achieve our total return target. In some cases, our loans will be collateralized

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by a first lien or by a subordinated or second lien on some or all of the assets of the borrower. We intend to focus on loans that provide for relatively high, fixed or floating interest rates that will provide us with significant current interest income. These loans may in some cases have interest-only payments in the first few years, with amortization of principal deferred to the later years of the loans. We also intend to seek long-term capital appreciation through our investments in dividend-paying equity securities, warrants, options or other equity securities. In some cases, we may enter into loans that, by their terms, allow us, at our option, to convert into equity or additional debt securities or defer payments of interest for the first few years after our investment. Typically, our loans will have maturities of one to ten years, but we may invest in securities with shorter or longer maturities. We expect that our investments will range between approximately $5 million and $50 million each, although this investment size may vary proportionately as the size of our capital base changes.

        We anticipate structuring our equity investments as cash flow producing, structured investments where we are reasonably certain of obtaining current income from dividends because of customer contracts or other positive industry fundamentals. These equity investments may be junior to debt in the capital structure provided by us or third parties as a means of leveraging our equity returns.

        In the case of our debt investments, we intend to tailor the covenants and other terms of the investment to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that protects our rights and manages our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan and improve its profitability. For example, we may seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by:


        Our investments may include other equity investments, such as warrants, options to buy a minority interest in a portfolio company, or contractual payment rights or rights to receive a proportional interest in the operating cash flow or net income of such company. If determined by the investment adviser to be in our best interest, we may acquire a controlling interest, in the portfolio company. Any warrants we receive with our debt securities may require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity

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interest. We may structure the warrants to provide provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest or, if applicable, controlling-interest holder, as well as puts, or rights to sell such securities back to the company, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we will also obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and "piggyback" registration rights.

        We expect to hold most of our investments to maturity or repayment, but will sell our investments earlier if a liquidity event takes place, such as the sale or recapitalization of a portfolio company.

Ongoing Relationships With Portfolio Companies

        Prospect Capital Management will monitor our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. Prospect Capital Management will monitor the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if they are meeting their respective business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company.

        Prospect Capital Management will have several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and value of our investments, which may include, but are not limited to, the following:

        In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, Prospect Capital Management will also use an investment rating system to characterize and monitor our expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio. We will use an investment rating scale of 1 to 5. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:

Investment Rating
   Summary Description
1   Capital appreciation expected
2   Full return of principal and interest or dividend expected, with portfolio company performing in accordance with its business plan
3   Full return of principal and interest or dividend expected, but portfolio company requires closer monitoring
4   Some loss of interest or dividend expected, but still expecting an overall positive internal rate of return on the investment
5   Loss of interest or dividend and at least some loss of principal investment expected, which would result in an overall negative internal rate of return on the investment

        Prospect Capital Management will monitor and, when appropriate, will change the investment ratings assigned to each investment in our portfolio. In connection with our valuation process, Prospect Capital Management will revise these investment ratings on a quarterly basis, and our board of directors may review such ratings.

        The following is a description of the steps we will take each quarter to determine the value of our portfolio. Investments for which market quotations are readily available will be recorded in our

46

financial statements at such market quotations. With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors will undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:

        For a discussion of the risks inherent in determining the value of securities for which readily available market values do not exist, see "Risk Factors—Many of our portfolio investments will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors and, as a result, there will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments."

        As a business development company, we will offer, and must provide upon request, managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies. This assistance could involve, among other things, monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising officers of portfolio companies and providing other organizational and financial guidance. We may receive fees for these services. Prospect Administration will provide such managerial assistance on our behalf to portfolio companies when we are required to provide this assistance.

Prospective Portfolio Companies

        The following summary describes each of the businesses with which we have entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding to make an investment, either directly or indirectly. In addition, the chart below sets forth a brief description of key terms of each memorandum of understanding. We currently expect to fund the investments described in these non-binding agreements using the net proceeds of this offering. The consummation of each investment will depend upon the completion of this offering, satisfactory completion of our due diligence investigation of the prospective portfolio companies, our confirmation and acceptance of the investment terms, structure and financial covenants, the execution and delivery of final binding agreements in forms mutually satisfactory to the parties, the absence of any material adverse change and the receipt of any necessary consents. At this time, the final form of our investments remain subject to additional negotiations with these companies, and the final terms may change from those indicated below. We have no relationship with any prospective portfolio company other than these non-binding memoranda of understanding.

47

Name
   Product/service
   Type of
security
   Term
   Maximum
principal
Amount
   Principal
financial terms

CASE COAL, LLC
30078 Schoenherr
Suite 150
Warren, MI
 
Coal production
 
Senior secured debt
 
4 years; 8 months
 
$3 million;
$700,000
 
Cash interest of 12% annually, plus contractual right to receive operating cash flow to repay principal and interest until we achieve 20% (in the case of the $3 million tranche) and 30% (in the case of the $700,000 tranche) annualized internal rate of return on our principal, after which we receive 50% of operating cash flow and 50% of any asset sale proceeds; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

CGS LTD.
5 St. George's Court,
Kirkham,
Lancashire, United
Kingdom
 
Natural gas storage
 
Senior secured debt
 
3.5 years
 
$35 million
 
Cash interest equal to greater of 12%-15% fixed annual rate and 7%-10% over LIBOR annually; right to purchase 2%-5% of equity (subject to negotiation); funding fee of 1.5%-2.0% of commitment amount

CHRISTIAN
OPERATING
COMPANY
11250 West Road
Building H
Houston, TX
 
Oil and natural gas production
 
Term credit facility
 
3 years
 
$25 million
 
Cash interest of 12%-15% annually; after repayment of principal and interest, contractual right to receive 40%-49% of operating cash flow and equity; funding fee of 2.0% of commitment amount; warrants (terms to be negotiated)

DENALI ENERGY, LLC
30078 Schoenherr
Suite 150
Warren, MI
 
Natural gas production
 
Term loan
 
5 years
 
$25 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount; five-year warrants to purchase up to 15% of equity (purchase price be negotiated)

FRONTSTREET
PARTNERS, LLC
31 Swift's Lane
Darien, CT
 
Cogeneration electrical power and steam plant
 
Convertible preferred debt
 
12 years
 
$15 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; second lien on collateral; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

MAC, LLC
370 Seventeenth
Street
Denver, CO
 
Oil and gas production
 
Senior secured debt
 
3 years
 
$20 million
 
Cash interest of 15% annually; funding fee of 2% of commitment amount; ten-year warrants to purchase up to 6% of equity at purchase price of $0.01 per share
                     

48


NEW HAVEN
ACQUISITION, LLC
21 Sumner Street
Suite 2000
Colorado Springs, CO
 
Natural gas and oil production and gas storage
 
Senior secured debt
 
5 years
 
$9 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually, plus contractual right to 85% of operating cash flow until we receive 115% of principal amount of investment, after which we receive contractual right to 70% of operating cash flow until we receive 125% of principal amount of investment, after which we receive contractual right to 50% of operating cash flow and any asset sale proceeds; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

NFE BIOFUELS &
ENERGY, INC.
10 High Street
Suite 620
Boston, MA
 
Biodiesel and glycerin production
 
Subordinated secured debt
 
6 years
 
$20 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount; ten-year warrants to purchase 10% of equity of parent company on a fully diluted basis at an exercise price of $0.01 per share

PREMIER ENERGY
MARKETING
30078 Schoenherr
Warren, MI
 
Electricity marketing
 
Subordinated secured debt
 
7 years
 
$8 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; contractual right to receive 5% of excess cash flow (defined as net operating cash flow minus, in first year, funding fee); funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

STRYKER FUND 2
6700 Beta Drive
Mayfield Village,OH
 
Natural gas production
 
Senior secured debt
 
5 years
 
$11 million
 
Cash interest of 12% annually; contractual right to receive operating cash flow until principal repaid and we achieve 15% annualized internal rate of return on our principal, after which we receive a contractual right to receive a portion of operating cash flow and any asset sale proceeds; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount

SUNEDISON LLC
5019 N. 36th St.
Arlington, VA
 
Solar power generation
 
Subordinated secured debt
 
6 years
 
$5 million
 
Cash interest of greater of 12% and 10% over LIBOR annually with 15% cap; funding fee of 1.5% of commitment amount; after repayment of principal, contractual right to a portion of operating cash flow
                     

49


THE ENERGY
GROUP, INC.(1)
9640 North Augusta
Drive
Suite 414
Carmel, NJ
 
Natural gas and oil production and storage
 
Senior secured debt; common stock
 
3 years
 
$25 million
 
Cash interest of greater of 15% and LIBOR plus 10% annually; funding fee of 2% of commitment amount; contractual right to operating cash flow until all principal and interest repaid, after which The Energy Group, Inc. will have right to purchase 51% of newly formed company
(1)
It is expected that our investment will be in an entity that will be newly formed.

        Prospect Capital Management has screened each of the prospective portfolio companies to determine that each satisfies our investment criteria, has initiated a due diligence investigation of each prospective portfolio company and negotiated the terms of the non-binding memoranda of understanding. We can offer no assurance that the terms of these memoranda of understanding will not change in material ways, as is often the case between signing and closing. In particular, the debt or equity instruments expected to be purchased from these prospective portfolio companies and the terms of such instruments may differ from what is contemplated in the memoranda of understanding. Upon the consummation of an investment, Prospect Capital Management will be responsible for monitoring and servicing our investment.

        If we do not wish to make an investment, we will not be obligated to do so. Similarly, none of the portfolio companies is obligated to obtain financing from us. We can offer no assurance that we will not discover facts in the course of our due diligence investigation that would cause us to change the terms of these investments or render these investments imprudent or that any of the investments described below will actually be made.

        The following information was supplied by the applicable portfolio company or otherwise obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we do not guarantee the accuracy of any such information provided.

Case Coal, LLC

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Everest Energy Management, or Everest, to purchase an aggregate of up to approximately $3.7 million of senior secured debt of Case Coal, LLC, or Case, a newly formed entity. It is expected that Case will develop, acquire and operate small surface coal mines in the Appalachian Basin area. It is expected that the proceeds of our investment will be made available to Case over a period of one year to acquire and develop two mining properties in Kentucky and Virginia. We may increase the principal amount of our investment based on the pace of other acquisitions being identified by the Case management team and other factors.

        The notes that we expect to purchase will be in two tranches. The first tranche is expected to be for approximately $700,000 with a term of eight months. The second tranche is expected to be for $3 million with a term of four years. Both tranches are expected to bear interest, payable monthly, at a fixed rate of 12% annually. With respect to each tranche, we expect to receive a senior security interest in the assets of Case and a funding fee of 1.5% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. We also expect to have a contractual right to receive Case's operating cash flow (net of approved overhead, including the payment of a fixed management fee equal to 10% of gross revenue from the sale of coal, and capital expenditures) to pay principal and interest until we achieve an internal rate of return of 20% (in the case of the $3 million tranche) and 30% (in the case of the $700,000 tranche) on

50


our principal. Thereafter, we expect to have a contractual right to receive 50% of Case's operating cash flow and the proceeds from the sale, if any, of all or any of Case's assets.

CGS Ltd.

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with CGS Ltd., or CGS, to purchase up to $35 million of senior secured convertible debt of CGS. The terms of such debt remain subject to negotiation between the parties. CGS is developing what is expected to be one of the largest salt cavern natural gas storage facilities in the United Kingdom, with more than 60 billion cubic feet of projected capacity. Based on our due diligence, we understand that the United Kingdom has previously relied on North Sea swing production fields to balance supply and demand. We believe that as these fields become depleted, UK operators will have to develop more natural gas storage capacity in order to balance short-term changes in supply and demand. CGS is currently finalizing long-term agreements for the sale of significant storage capacity, equity financing and environmental permitting with respect to this development. CGS has not yet received all necessary regulatory approvals to build and operate the natural gas storage facilities.

        In connection with our investment, we expect to receive a senior secured interest in the assets of CGS. The primary term of this loan is expected to be three and a half years. This loan is expected to bear interest, payable monthly, at the greater of a fixed annual rate of 12% to 15% and LIBOR plus 7% to 10%. Principal on the note will not amortize for the first three years of its term. We expect to receive a right to purchase 2% to 5% of the equity of CGS. The terms of this right remain subject to negotiation between the parties. We also expect to receive a funding fee equal to 1.5% to 2% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. We anticipate pre-funding a reserve account in an amount equivalent to the projected unpaid interest payable over the term of the loan.

Christian Operating Company

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Christian Intergy, Inc., or Intergy, to provide a three-year committed term credit facility in the amount of $25 million to its affiliate, Christian Operating Company. Intergy is an oil and natural gas production company with production as well as undeveloped reserves in Jefferson County, Texas, and eastern Kansas. Intergy has indicated to us that it expects to use funds from our proposed credit facility to rework producing wells and to increase production capacity in Jefferson County. Intergy has discovered coalbed methane reserves in eastern Kansas that represent a further development and production opportunity.

        The debt that we expect to acquire will have a three-year term and bear interest, payable monthly, at a rate of 12% to 15% annually. We expect to also receive a funding fee of 2% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. After repayment of all of the principal and interest, we expect to have a contractual right to receive 40% to 49% of Intergy's operating cash flow and equity. We also expect to receive warrants to purchase additional equity in Intergy. The terms of the warrants remain subject to negotiation by the parties.

Denali Energy, LLC

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Denali Energy, LLC, or Denali, an affiliate of Everest, to provide a five-year term loan in the amount of $25 million to fund ongoing development of natural gas development in the Powder River Basin. We understand that Denali's management team has more than 12 years of experience developing and operating many aspects of gas production in the Rocky Mountain Basin. Based on our due diligence, we understand that Denali's assets are in the Powder River Basin and include approximately 50,000 acres of land and mineral leases on which Denali has drilled more than 100 wells. We also understand that Denali's

51


assets also include a 70-mile, high-pressure gas gathering system with the capacity to ship 160 million cubic feet per day of gas to a major pipeline system.

        The loan is expected to bear interest, payable monthly, at a fixed rate of 12% annually. We expect to receive a funding fee of 1.5% of the commitment amount if the loan closes. We also expect to be granted five-year warrants to purchase up to 15% of Denali's equity. The purchase price of the securities underlying the warrants remains subject to negotiation of the parties.

FrontStreet Partners, LLC

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with FrontStreet Partners, LLC, or FrontStreet, to purchase up to $15 million of convertible preferred debt of a holding company that will be newly formed. The debt that we expect to purchase will be subordinated to at least $20 million of senior debt and will rank equally with approximately $25 million of other convertible preferred debt. The terms of the conversion remain subject to negotiation by the parties. Upon closing, this holding company is expected to purchase a 50% interest in an existing 85 megawatt cogeneration power plant that has been in operation for over 10 years. Based on our due diligence, we believe that this power plant has over 15 years remaining on its principal supply contracts and power and steam purchase contracts, also referred to as off-take contracts. FrontStreet consists of a group of former Texaco Inc. senior managers with experience in many aspects of the power, cogeneration and related businesses.

        The debt that we expect to purchase will have a twelve-year term and will bear interest, payable monthly, at a fixed rate of 12% annually. We will have a second lien security interest in the assets of the holding company. We expect to receive a funding fee of 1.5% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. FrontStreet will receive a fee for arranging the purchase of the plant. This fee will be paid by the holding company and will be based upon the purchase price of the plant. Our negotiations with FrontStreet assumes a sale to FrontStreet of the seller's interest in the plant. Because the seller has not agreed to sell its interest in the plant, there can be no assurance that this transaction will be consummated.

MAC, LLC

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with MAC, LLC, or MAC, to purchase up to $20 million of senior secured debt. Upon closing, MAC is expected to purchase a majority of the common equity interest in a California-based oil production company, under a recently signed agreement between MAC and other common equity owners.

        The debt that we expect to purchase will have a three-year term and will bear interest, payable monthly, at a fixed rate of 15% annually. We will have a senior security interest in the assets of MAC, including a senior security interest in MAC's equity interest in the California-based oil production company. We expect to receive a funding fee of 2% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. We also expect to be granted ten-year warrants to purchase 6% of the equity of MAC at a purchase price per share of $0.01.

New Haven Acquisition, LLC

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Pasadena Oil and Gas Corporation and Upstream Energy Capital to purchase up to $9 million of senior secured debt of New Haven Acquisition, LLC, or New Haven. If consummated, these funds will be used for the purchase and development of natural gas fields, oil fields and gas storage facilities in the Michigan Basin. These fields have produced natural gas and oil for more than 50 years and have been operated for both gas production and gas storage by predecessor entities. New Haven's management team has more than 25 years of experience in developing and operating oil and gas assets in the Michigan Basin. New Haven's fields are close to existing distribution infrastructure and industrial, commercial and retail

52


markets. We believe that, when the existing gas reserves have been depleted, these fields can be converted into gas storage facilities to serve as a part of the natural gas transportation and distribution network of the midwestern U.S. New Haven estimates that more than 6.6 billion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves remain in the field.

        The debt that we expect to purchase will have a five-year term and bear interest, payable monthly, at a fixed rate of 12% annually. We expect to receive a senior security interest in the assets of New Haven and a funding fee of 1.5% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. We expect to receive a contractual right to receive 85% of New Haven's operating cash flow (net of approved overhead and capital expenditures) until we have received payment of 115% of the principal amount of our investment, after which we expect to have a contractual right to receive 70% of such cash flow until we have received payment of 125% of the principal amount of our investment. Thereafter, we expect to have a contractual right to receive 50% of New Haven's operating cash flow and proceeds from the sale, if any, of all or any part of New Haven's assets.

NFE Biofuels & Energy, Inc.

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Natural Fuel & Energy, Inc., or NFE, to purchase up to $20 million of subordinated secured debt from its wholly owned subsidiary, NFE Biofuels & Energy, Inc., or NFE Biofuels. We expect this debt to be guaranteed by NFE. Based on our due diligence, we understand that NFE owns a biodiesel and glycerin plant under development on the U.S. Gulf Coast that it expects to serve domestic and international markets. The plant expects to produce biodiesel fuel from renewable feedstock, such as virgin vegetable oils and used vegetable cooking oils, animal fats and tallows. Such biodiesel is generally blended with conventional diesel oil by the end customer. We understand that NFE intends to build three plants, the first of which is expected to produce approximately 37 million gallons of biodiesel per year.

        The debt that we expect to purchase will have a six-year term and bear interest, payable quarterly, at a fixed rate of 12% annually. We expect to receive a secured interest in the assets of NFE Biofuels, which will be subordinated to the senior debt of NFE Biofuels. In connection with this investment, we expect to also receive warrants to purchase up to 10% of the fully diluted equity of NFE. We expect that such warrants will have a ten-year term and will be exercisable for $0.01 per share. In addition, we expect to receive a funding fee equal to 1.5% of the commitment amount if the investment closes.

Premier Energy Marketing

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Everest to purchase up to $8 million of subordinated secured debt securities from Premier Energy Marketing, or PEM, an affiliate of Everest. We expect the funds will be used for credit support and working capital for PEM's ongoing operations as well as for acquisitions. Based on our due diligence, we understand that PEM markets electricity on a retail basis to various consumer segments ranging from small commercial to large industrial customers in the State of Michigan. We understand that PEM is seeking to expand its product line to include natural gas and to extend its market reach into other Michigan and regional areas.

        The debt securities in which we expect to invest will have a seven-year term and will bear interest, payable monthly, at a fixed rate of 12% annually. We will also receive 5% of excess cash flow, which is defined as net operating cash flow minus, in the first year, our funding fee. The securities will be secured by the assets of PEM. In addition, if this investment closes, we expect to receive a funding fee equal to 1.5% of the commitment amount if the investment closes.

53

Stryker Fund 2

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Stryker Energy, LLC to purchase up to $11 million of senior secured debt issued by Stryker Fund 2, or Stryker, an entity that will be newly formed. We understand that Stryker plans to use these funds to purchase and develop natural gas fields in the New York and Pennsylvania areas of the Appalachian Basin. We understand that Stryker's management team has more than 23 years of experience in developing and operating oil and gas properties in the Appalachian Basin. Stryker's management team previously founded North Coast Energy, Inc., an Appalachian Basin oil and gas operating company sold to EXCO Resources, Inc. in January 2004. The target fields for Stryker are close to existing distribution infrastructure and connected to industrial, commercial and retail markets for natural gas in the U.S.

        The debt that we expect to purchase will have a five-year term and will bear interest, payable monthly, at a fixed rate of 12% annually. We expect to receive a senior security interest in all of the assets of Stryker and a funding fee of 1.5% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. We expect to have a contractual right to receive operating cash flow (net of approved overhead and capital expenditures), including any proceeds received from financings, refinancings or asset sales, until such time as we have received repayment of our principal and achieved an internal rate of return of 15% on our investment. Thereafter, we expect to have a contractual right to receive a portion of Stryker's operating cash flow as well as a portion of the proceeds from the sale, if any, of all or any part of Stryker's assets.

SunEdison, LLC

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to purchase up to $5 million of subordinated secured debt from SunEdison, LLC, or SunEdison. SunEdison currently sells electricity from multiple on-site solar energy installations. SunEdison sells this electricity under long-term contracts to host customers, who consist primarily of retailers with multiple locations as well as local business and government installations that can support large roof-based installations.

        The debt that we expect to purchase will have a six-year term and will bear interest, payable monthly, at the greater of a fixed rate of 12% annually or LIBOR plus 10% (subject to a maximum rate of 15% annually). We expect to receive a subordinated security interest in the assets of SunEdison. In addition, we expect to receive a funding fee equal to 1.5% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. After repayment of the principal, we expect to have a contractual right to a portion of SunEdison's cash flow from the solar energy installations.

The Energy Group, Inc.

        We have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with The Energy Group, Inc., or TEG, to purchase up to $25 million of senior secured debt and 90% of the common stock of an entity that will be newly formed. TEG is an Indiana corporation engaged in developing oil and natural gas production and storage properties in the U.S. TEG is reworking certain oil and natural gas producing properties in South Texas, along with dormant oil and gas production and storage fields in the Midwest. These properties have previously produced oil and gas but need certain redevelopment work to bring them back into service. We expect that the funds from our investment will be used for such redevelopment work. We understand that TEG's reserves are estimated to exceed 50 billion cubic feet of natural gas. We also understand that TEG has a letter of intent for an agreement for the sale of gas storage with an energy and utility company.

        The debt that we expect to purchase will have a senior security interest in the assets of the newly formed company. We expect the debt to have a three-year term and to bear interest, payable monthly, at the greater of a fixed rate of 15% and LIBOR plus 10% annually. We also expect to receive a funding fee of 2% of the commitment amount if the investment closes. We expect to have a contractual

54


right to the newly formed company's operating cash flow (net of operating expenses and management fees) until such time as all principal and interest have been paid. Thereafter, it is expected that TEG will have the right to purchase up to 51% of the newly formed company from us.

Competition

        Our primary competitors to provide financing to energy companies will include public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, and private equity and mezzanine funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act will impose on us as a business development company. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see "Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and structure—We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities."

Staffing

        Mr. John F. Barry III, our chief executive officer, Mr. Mark Witt, our chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer, Mr. Grier Eliasek, our chief operating officer and president, and Ms. Karen Gattengo, our chief compliance officer, comprise our senior management. Over time, we expect to add additional officers and employees. Each of our officers also serves as an officer of Prospect Administration and will perform his or her respective functions under the terms of the administration agreement. Our day-to-day investment operations will be managed by our investment adviser. In the future, we expect that our investment adviser will hire additional investment professionals. See "Management—Investment advisory agreement." In addition, we will reimburse Prospect Administration for our allocable portion of expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief executive officer, chief financial officer (and treasurer), chief operating officer (and president) and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. See "Management—Administration agreement."

Properties

        Our corporate headquarters are located at 10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10016. We believe that our office facilities are suitable and adequate for our business as it is contemplated to be conducted.

Legal Proceedings

        We and Prospect Capital Management are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings.

55


MANAGEMENT

        Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. The board of directors currently consists of five directors, three of whom are not "interested persons" of Prospect Energy as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act. We refer to these individuals as our independent directors. Our board of directors elects our officers to serve for a one-year term and until their successors are duly elected and qualify, or until their earlier removal or resignation.

Board of Directors and Executive Officers

        Under our charter, our directors are divided into three classes. One class will hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2005, a second class will hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2006 and a third class will hold office initially for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2007. At each annual meeting of our stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at such meeting will be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Each director will hold office for the term to which he or she is elected and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies.

        Our directors and executive officers and their positions are set forth below. The address for each director and executive officer is c/o Prospect Energy Corporation, 10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10016.

Independent directors

Name and age
   Position(s) held
with the company
   Term of office(1) and length of time served
   Principal occupation(s) during past 5 years
   Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by director
   Other directorships held by director
Michael E. Basham, 54   Director   June 2004
to present		   Executive Vice President of Finance and Planning of Howard Energy Co., Inc.   One   None
Robert A. Davidson, 46   Director   June 2004
to present		   Managing Director of Longwood Investment Advisors   One   None
Walter V. E. Parker, 57   Director   June 2004
to present		   Founding principal of the Sippican Group LLC   One   None
(1)
Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. Mr. Parker's and Mr. Davidson's terms will expire in 2005, Mr. Eliasek's and Mr. Basham's terms will expire in 2006, and Mr. Barry's term will expire in 2007.

56

Interested directors

Name and age
   Position(s)
held with
the company
   Term of office(1) and length of time served
   Principal occupation(s) during
past 5 years
   Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by director
   Other directorships held by director
John F. Barry III(2)
52		   Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer   April 2004 to present   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prospect Energy, Managing Director of Prospect Capital Management and Prospect Administration; Chairman of the Investment Committee of Prospect   One   None

M. Grier Eliasek(2)
31
 
Director, President, and Chief Operating Officer
 
June 2004 to present
 
President and Chief Operating Officer of Prospect Energy, Managing Director of Prospect Capital Management and Prospect Administration; Senior Professional of Prospect; Consultant at Bain & Company (1995-1998)
 
One
 
None
(1)
Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. Mr. Parker's and Mr. Davidson's terms will expire in 2005, Mr. Eliasek's and Mr. Basham's terms will expire in 2006 and Mr. Barry's term will expire in 2007.

(2)
Messrs. Barry and Eliasek are each considered an "interested person" under the 1940 Act by virtue of serving as one of our officers and having a relationship with the investment adviser.

Non-director officers

Name and age
   Position(s) held with the company
   Term of office
and length of time served
   Principal occupation(s) during past five years
Mark N. Witt
45		   Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary   April 2004 to present   Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary of Prospect Energy; Managing Member of Commercial Energy Services LLC (2003-2004); Director of STEAG Power LLC (May 2003-August 2003); Vice President of Energy Commodities Risk Management for Goldman, Sachs & Company (2002-2003); Senior Vice President of Origination for Tractebel Energy Marketing, Inc. (1999-2002)

Karen K. Gattegno
50
 
Chief Compliance Officer
 
June 2004 to present
 
Chief Compliance Officer of Prospect Energy; Manager at Macquarie Securities (USA) Inc. (2003-2004); Deloitte & Touche (2002-2003); Arthur Andersen (1999-2002)

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        Michael E. Basham.    Mr. Basham has 32 years of experience in the energy and finance industries. Mr. Basham currently serves as executive vice president for finance and planning for Howard Energy & Co., Inc., a privately held energy company with a diversified portfolio of both domestic and international energy investments in the oil and gas exploration, natural gas marketing and storage, energy services, hydroelectric power generation, and drilling services industries. Prior to joining Howard Energy in 1999, Mr. Basham served as a principal in the consulting practice of Ernst & Young from 1996 to 1999. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Basham, served as an executive vice president with First Fidelity Bank. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Basham was a managing director at Shearson Smith Barney, now owned by Citigroup, where he headed up the Privatization investment banking group and the International division. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Basham served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary of the United States Treasury. From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Basham worked as a senior professional at Wertheim Schroder, an investment bank. From 1982 to 1986, Mr. Basham founded and served as chief executive officer of Norden Capital, an investment management firm. From 1972 to 1982, Mr. Basham served in various roles, including vice president of the investment division and manager of fixed income, trading, and sales, for South Carolina National Bank. Mr. Basham attended the United States Air Force Academy, received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and received an MBA from the University of South Carolina.

        Robert A. Davidson.    Mr. Davidson has 23 years of experience in the investment management industry. Mr. Davidson currently serves as chief investment officer and managing director of Longwood Investment Advisors, a small-cap and mid-cap money manager with approximately $1 billion of assets under management, which he co-founded in 1991. From 1984 to 1991, Mr. Davidson served as vice president, portfolio manager, and analyst at Essex Investment Management Company, where his responsibilities included research, valuation, investments, and disposals of a broad range of securities for various Essex funds. While at Essex, Mr. Davidson managed approximately $200 million and was a member of the investment committee managing the Essex Hedge Fund. During his tenure with Essex, assets under management grew from $1.1 billion to $2.8 billion. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Davidson served as an options portfolio manager and analyst with Keystone Custodian Funds, with a specialty in energy, environmental control systems, and communications. Mr. Davidson is a chartered financial analyst (CFA), and he received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business from Colby College.

        Walter V. E. Parker.    Mr. Parker has 33 years of experience in the energy and finance industries. From 1999 to 2004, Mr. Parker served as a founding principal in the Sippican Group, LLC, a financial advisory firm. While at Sippican, he advised clients on capital raising, business development, and financial matters. From 2000 to 2001, Mr. Parker served as interim chief operating officer of Avienda Technologies, Inc. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Parker served as managing director of Claymore Partners, Inc., a long-standing financial advisory firm addressing the needs of troubled businesses. From 1993 to 1997, Mr. Parker served as a subsidiary board member and the credit officer at Parrish Financial Services Corporation, a joint venture with the Travelers Group focused on large-scale project-based and asset-based transactions. From 1991 to 1993, Mr. Parker served as vice president and senior credit officer of the Corporate Finance Division for Xerox Credit, Inc., which provided project finance, equipment leasing, high-yield corporate debt, secured loans, and real estate financing to a diverse group of US and international companies, including energy companies. Mr. Parker received Xerox's President's Award for timely achievement of liquidity and value enhancement goals. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Parker was a vice president for the Project and Lease Finance Group of Kidder Peabody & Co., where he focused on energy transactions. From 1971 to 1989, Mr. Parker served in several roles, including as a senior credit officer, at Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company and the United States Trust Company of New York. Mr. Parker is a graduate of the Xerox Advanced Management School and the American Management Association's Time Based Accounting series, and he is a member of the Turnaround Management Association and the National Funding Association. Mr. Parker received

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his MBA from Columbia University, where he received honors ratings for course work in banking and finance, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University.

        John F. Barry III.    Mr. Barry is chairman and chief executive officer of Prospect Energy and is a control person of Prospect Capital Management and a Managing Director of Prospect Administration. Mr. Barry is chairman of Prospect's investment committee and has been an officer of Prospect since 1990. In addition to overseeing Prospect, Mr. Barry has served on the boards of directors of twelve private and public Prospect portfolio companies. Mr. Barry has served on the board of advisors of USEC Inc., a publicly traded energy company. Mr. Barry has served as chairman and chief executive officer of Bondnet Trading Systems. From 1988 to 1989, Mr. Barry managed the investment bank of L.F. Rothschild & Company, focusing on private equity and debt financings for energy and other companies. From 1983 to 1988, Mr. Barry was a senior investment and merchant banker at Merrill Lynch & Co., where he was a founding member of the project finance group, executing more than $4 billion in energy and other financings. From 1979 to 1983, Mr. Barry was a corporate securities attorney at Davis Polk & Wardwell, where he advised energy companies and their commercial and investment bankers. From 1978 to 1979, Mr. Barry served as law clerk to Circuit Judge, formerly Chief Judge, J. Edward Lumbard of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City. Mr. Barry is chairman of the board of directors of the Mathematics Foundation of America, a non-profit foundation which enhances opportunities in mathematics education for students from diverse backgrounds. Mr. Barry received his JD cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was an editor of the Harvard Law Review, and his Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Princeton University, where he was a University Scholar.

        M. Grier Eliasek.    Mr. Eliasek is president and chief operating officer of Prospect Energy and a managing director of Prospect Capital Management and Prospect Administration. At Prospect Energy, Mr. Eliasek is responsible for various administrative and investment management functions and assists other Prospect professionals in origination and assessment of investments. Mr. Eliasek has served as a senior investment professional at Prospect since 1999. Prior to joining Prospect, Mr. Eliasek assisted the chief financial officer of Amazon.com in 1999 in corporate strategy, customer acquisition, and new product launches. From 1995 to 1998, Mr. Eliasek served as a consultant with Bain & Company, a global strategy consulting firm, where he managed engagements for companies in several different industries. At Bain, Mr. Eliasek analyzed new lines of businesses, developed market strategies, revamped sales organizations and improved operational performance. Mr. Eliasek received his MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was co-president of the Principal Investment Club. Mr. Eliasek received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia, where he was a Jefferson Scholar and a Rodman Scholar.

        Mark N. Witt.    Mr. Witt is chief financial officer, treasurer and secretary of Prospect Energy. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Witt served as managing member of Commercial Energy Services LLC, where he provided consulting services for a number of energy companies and private investment firms. From May 2003 to August 2003, Mr. Witt served as a director of STEAG Power LLC. From 2002 to 2003, Mr. Witt served as vice president of energy commodities risk management for Goldman, Sachs & Company. From 1999 to 2002, Mr. Witt served as senior vice president of origination for Tractebel Energy Marketing, Inc., where he structured wholesale power load following and supply transactions, medium-term to long-term tolling and power off-take agreements, and physical and financial swaps and options. While at Tractebel, he also provided origination support for the acquisition of the Cabot LNG Terminal in Boston. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Witt served as director of Northeast origination for Enron Capital & Trade Resources, Inc. From 1994 to 1997, Mr. Witt served as chief financial officer and

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board member for Virginia Gas Company, where he raised financing through initial and secondary public offerings on the Nasdaq National Market. From 1984 to 1994, Mr. Witt worked at British Petroleum Company in various financial and strategic development positions, including controller of Global Gas. From 1980 to 1984, Mr. Witt worked as a financial auditor for energy companies at KPMG. Mr. Witt is a CPA and has participated in executive programs at the University of Virginia Darden Business School and the London Business School. Mr. Witt received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas.

        Karen K. Gattegno.    Ms. Gattegno is chief compliance officer of Prospect Energy. From 2003 to 2004, Ms. Gattegno was responsible for regulatory and tax work of various funds for Macquarie Securities (USA) Inc. that were focused in the energy, infrastructure and real estate arenas. In that role, Ms. Gattegno was responsible for the regulatory and tax issues of the first Macquarie fund listed on an exchange outside of Australia, and which was subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Ms. Gattegno worked with additional Macquarie funds and reviewed accounting and tax issues involving other investment vehicles, including REITs and partnerships. Ms. Gattegno also participated in the due diligence reviews of potential investments, including regulated and non-regulated energy investments, and had lead responsibility for accounting and tax reviews as part of that due diligence process. Prior thereto, Ms. Gattegno has been employed in public accounting for over 20 years, including Deloitte & Touche from 2002 to 2003, Arthur Andersen from 1999 to 2002 and Coopers & Lybrand from 1997 to 1999. Her clients have included financial institutions and energy companies and she has had responsibility for key financial accounting and tax issues. Ms. Gattegno is a CPA and received her Bachelor of Science in Economics, with a concentration in Accounting, from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Masters of Business Administration in Taxation from Pace University.

        For information on the investment professionals of Prospect Capital Management, see "Investment Advisory Agreement—Investment personnel."

Committees of the Board of Directors

        The members of the audit committee are Mr. Basham, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Parker, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and The Nasdaq National Market corporate governance regulations. Mr. Basham serves as chairman of the audit committee. The audit committee is responsible for approving our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing with our independent registered public accounting firm the plans and results of the audit engagement, preapproving professional services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The audit committee is also responsible for aiding our board of directors in fair value pricing of debt and equity securities for which current market values are not readily available. The board of directors and audit committee will utilize the services of an independent valuation firm to help them determine the fair value of these securities.

        The members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are Mr. Basham, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Parker, each of whom is independent for purposes of the 1940 Act and The Nasdaq National Market corporate governance regulations. Mr. Parker serves as chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for selecting, researching and nominating directors for election by our stockholders, selecting nominees to fill vacancies on the Board or a committee of the Board, developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles and overseeing the evaluation of the Board and our management.

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Compensation of Directors and Officers

        The following table shows information regarding the compensation expected to be received by the independent directors and officers for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005. No compensation is paid to directors who are "interested persons."

Name
   Aggregate compensation from
the company(1)
   Pension or retirement benefits
accrued as part of company
expenses(2)
   Total compensation from
company and fund complex paid
to director
Independent Directors                
  Michael E. Basham   $ 75,000   None   $ 75,000
  Robert A. Davidson   $ 70,000   None   $ 70,000
  Walter V. Parker   $ 75,000   None   $ 75,000

Interested Directors
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  John F. Barry III     None   None     None
  M. Grier Eliasek     None   None     None

Non-Director Officers
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Mark N. Witt(3)   $ 150,000   None   $ 150,000
  Karen K. Gattegno(3)   $ 150,000   None   $ 150,000
(1)
We are newly formed, and the amounts listed are estimated for fiscal year ending June 30, 2005. For a discussion of the independent directors' compensation, see below.

(2)
We do not have a bonus, profit sharing or retirement plan, and directors do not receive any pension or retirement benefits.

(3)
The compensation for the chief financial officer and chief compliance officer will be paid by Prospect Administration, subject to reimbursement by the Company of an allocable portion of such compensation. These amounts are estimates and have not yet been approved by our board of directors.

        The independent directors will receive an annual fee of $70,000 plus reimbursement of any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred. The chairman of each committee will also receive an additional annual fee of $5,000. In addition, we will purchase directors' and officers' liability insurance on behalf of our directors and officers.

Investment Advisory Agreement

        Prospect Capital Management will serve as our investment adviser. Prospect Capital Management is a newly formed investment adviser that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Subject to the overall supervision of our board of directors, the investment adviser will manage the day-to-day operations of, and provide investment advisory services to, Prospect Energy. Under the terms of an investment advisory and management agreement, Prospect Capital Management will:

        Prospect Capital Management's services under the investment advisory agreement are not exclusive, and it is free to furnish similar services to other entities so long as its services to us are not impaired.

        Prospect Capital Management will manage our investments as our investment adviser. Prospect Capital Management is a newly formed investment adviser that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. Under our investment advisory agreement, we have agreed to pay Prospect

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Capital Management investment advisory fees, which will consist of an annual base management fee based on our gross assets and a two-part incentive fee based on our performance.

        Prospect Capital Management is led by John F. Barry III and M. Grier Eliasek, two senior executives with significant investment advisory and business experience. Both Messrs. Barry and Eliasek anticipate spending substantially all of their time on their roles at Prospect Capital Management working on our behalf. In addition to the current investment professionals of Prospect Capital Management, who have more than 100 years of combined energy investment experience, Prospect Capital Management intends to hire additional investment professionals. In addition, Prospect Capital Management intends to draw upon Prospect's 16-year history and to benefit from the significant expertise of Prospect's investment professionals in transaction origination and screening, portfolio management, financial structuring, equity and debt syndication, capital markets and research. Mr. Barry currently controls Prospect Capital Management.

        Prospect is a leading New York private investment firm with offices in New York and Houston founded in 1988 by former senior managers of Merrill Lynch & Co. Since its inception, Prospect has invested and managed more than $1.5 billion in multiple asset classes, including bridge loans, senior secured debt, senior unsecured debt, private mezzanine debt, publicly traded high-yield debt and public and private equity using both private partnership and publicly traded closed-end structures. The firm typically receives hundreds of investment opportunities each year from its transaction-sourcing network. Prospect generally leads transactions and has led or participated in syndications with other leading investment groups. Prospect has advised and managed capital for energy companies. These companies and others comprise a value-added strategic group of more than 100 energy companies that Prospect calls upon for transaction origination, due diligence, strategic partnerships and exits. Prospect Energy is currently the only Prospect investment vehicle actively engaged in making new investments. John F. Barry III has been the majority shareholder of a predecessor of Prospect since 1998.

        Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement, we will pay Prospect Capital Management a fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of a base management fee and an incentive fee.

        The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 2.00% of our gross assets (including amounts borrowed). For services rendered under the investment advisory agreement during the period commencing from the closing of this offering through and including the first six months of operations, the base management fee will be payable monthly in arrears. For services rendered under the investment advisory agreement after that time, the base management fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. For the first quarter of our operations commencing from the closing of this offering, the base management fee will be calculated based on the initial value of our gross assets. Subsequently, the base management fee will be calculated based on the average value of our gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (the closing date of this offering will be treated as a quarter end for these purposes), and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro rated. If in the future the average amount of our gross assets for each of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, appropriately adjusted for any share issuances, repurchases or other transactions during such quarters, exceeds $750,000,000, our investment adviser has voluntarily agreed to waive 0.5% of the base management fee for that portion of the average amount of our gross assets that exceeds $750,000,000. This waiver may be terminated by our investment adviser at any time upon 90 days' prior notice.

        The incentive fee will have two parts, as follows: the first part, the income incentive fee, will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on our pre-incentive fee net investment income for

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the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees and other fees that we receive from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with payment in kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Thus, if we do not have sufficient liquid assets to pay this incentive fee or distributions to stockholders on such accrued income, we may be required to liquidate assets in order to do so. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, will be compared to a "hurdle rate" of 1.75% per quarter (7% annualized). Our net investment income used to calculate the income incentive fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the 2% base management fee. We will pay Prospect Capital Management an income incentive fee with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:

        We refer to the portion of the incentive fee payable on 100% of our pre-incentive fee net income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 125% of the quarterly hurdle rate as the "catch up." The "catch up" provision is intended to provide our investment adviser with an incentive fee of 20% on all of our pre-incentive fee investment income that does not exceed 125% of the quarterly hurdle rate once the hurdle rate has been surpassed.

        However, our investment adviser has voluntarily agreed that for each fiscal quarter after January 1, 2005, the quarterly hurdle rate will be equal to the greater of (a) 1.75% and (b) a percentage equal to the sum of the daily average of the "quoted treasury rate" for each month in the immediately preceding two quarters plus 0.50%. "Quoted treasury rate" means the yield to maturity (calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis) at the time of computation for Five Year U.S. Treasury notes with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H). These calculations will be appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current quarter. The voluntary agreement by the investment adviser that the hurdle rate be fluctuating for each fiscal quarter after January 1, 2005 (as discussed above) may be terminated by the investment adviser at any time upon 90 days' prior notice.

        The second part of the incentive fee, the capital gains incentive fee, will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the investment advisory agreement, as of the termination date), commencing on December 31, 2004, and will equal 20.0% of our realized capital gains for the calendar year, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation at the end of such year; provided that the capital gains incentive fee

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determined as of December 31, 2004 will be calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation for the period ending December 31, 2004. In determining the capital gains incentive fee payable to our investment adviser, we will calculate the aggregate realized capital gains, aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, as applicable, with respect to each of the investments in our portfolio. For this purpose, aggregate realized capital gains, if any, will equal the sum of the differences between the net sales price of each investment, when sold, and the original cost of such investment since inception. Aggregate realized capital losses will equal the sum of the amounts by which the net sales price of each investment, when sold, is less than the original cost of such investment since inception. Aggregate unrealized capital depreciation will equal the sum of the difference, if negative, between the valuation of each investment as of the applicable date and the original cost of such investment. At the end of the applicable period, the amount of capital gains that will serve as the basis for our calculation of the capital gains incentive fee will equal the aggregate realized capital gains less aggregate realized capital losses and less aggregate unrealized capital depreciation with respect to our portfolio of investments. If this number is positive at the end of such period, then the capital gains incentive fee for such period will be equal to 20% of such amount, less the aggregate amount of any capital gains incentive fees paid in respect of our portfolio in all prior periods.

        Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that we may have to pay an incentive fee in a quarter where we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate for a quarter, we will pay the applicable income incentive fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized or unrealized losses on our investments. The investment adviser has voluntarily agreed that, in the event it is paid an incentive fee at a time when our common stock is trading at a price below $15 per share for the immediately preceding 30 days (as adjusted for stock splits, recapitalizations and other transactions), it will cause the amount of such incentive fee payment to be held in an escrow account by an independent third party, subject to applicable regulations. This amount may not be drawn upon by the investment adviser or any affiliate or any other third party until such time as the price of our common stock achieves an average 30 day closing price of at least $15 per share. The investment adviser also has voluntarily agreed to cause 30% of any incentive fee that it is paid and that is not otherwise held in escrow to be invested in shares of our common stock through an independent trustee. Any sales of such stock will comply with any applicable six month holding period under Section 16(b) of the Securities Act and all other restrictions contained in any law or regulation, to the fullest extent applicable to any such sale. Any change in these voluntary agreements will not be implemented without at least 90 days' prior notice to stockholders and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

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Examples of Quarterly Incentive Fee Calculation

Example 1: Income Incentive Fee (*):

Alternative 1

Assumptions

Alternative 2

Assumptions

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Alternative 3

Assumptions

(1)
Represents 7% annualized hurdle rate.

(2)
Represents 2% annualized base management fee.

(3)
Excludes organizational and offering expenses.

(*)
The hypothetical amount of pre-incentive fee net investment income shown is based on a percentage of total net assets.

Example 2: Capital Gains Incentive Fee:

Alternative 1:

Assumptions

        The capital gains portion of the incentive fee would be:

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Alternative 2

Assumptions

        The capital gains incentive fee, if any, would be:

67

        All investment professionals of the investment adviser and their respective staffs, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses of such personnel allocable to such services, will be provided and paid for by Prospect Capital Management. We will bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including those relating to: organization and offering; calculation of our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firm); expenses incurred by Prospect Capital Management payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors (such as independent valuation firms, accountants and legal counsel), in monitoring our financial and legal affairs and in monitoring our investments and performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies; interest payable on debt, if any, and dividends payable on preferred stock, if any, incurred to finance our investments; offerings of our debt, our preferred shares, our common stock and other securities; investment advisory fees; fees payable to third parties, including agents, consultants or other advisors, relating to, or associated with, evaluating and making investments; transfer agent and custodial fees; registration fees; listing fees; taxes; independent directors' fees and expenses; costs of preparing and filing reports or other documents with the SEC; the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to stockholders, including printing costs; our allocable portion of the fidelity bond, directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums; direct costs and expenses of administration, including auditor and legal costs; and all other expenses incurred by us, by our investment adviser or by Prospect Administration in connection with administering our business, such as our allocable portion of overhead under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs.

        The investment advisory agreement was approved by our board of directors on June 23, 2004. Unless terminated earlier as described below, it will continue in effect for a period of two years from its effective date. It will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by our board of directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, including, in either case, approval by a majority of our directors who are not interested persons. The investment advisory agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The investment advisory agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon not more than 60 days' written notice to the other. See "Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and structure—We are dependent upon Prospect Capital Management's key management personnel for our future success."

        The investment advisory agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Prospect Capital Management and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from Prospect Energy for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Prospect Capital Management's services under the investment advisory agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of Prospect Energy.

        Prospect Capital Management is a newly formed Delaware limited liability corporation that is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act. The principal executive offices of Prospect Capital Management are 10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10019.

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        Our board of directors determined at a meeting held on June 23, 2004 to approve the investment advisory agreement. In its consideration of the investment advisory agreement, the board of directors focused on information it had received relating to, among other things: (a) the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by the investment adviser; (b) comparative data with respect to advisory fees or expense ratios of other business development companies with similar investment objectives; (c) our projected operating expenses; (d) the projected profitability of the investment adviser and any existing and potential sources of indirect income to the investment adviser or Prospect Administration from their relationships with us and the profitability of those relationships; (e) information about the services to be performed and the personnel performing such services under the investment advisory agreement; (f) the organizational capability and financial condition of the investment adviser and its affiliates and (g) the possibility of obtaining similar services from other third party service providers or through an internally managed structure.

        Based on the information reviewed and the discussions, the board of directors, including a majority of the non-interested directors, concluded that the investment advisory fee rates were reasonable in relation to the services to be provided.

        In addition to the individuals who serve as our executive officers as discussed above (see "Management—Executive officers and directors"), the investment committee of Prospect Capital Management includes the following investment personnel:

        Charles M. Costenbader.    Mr. Costenbader has 20 years of experience in the energy finance and energy operations industries. Mr. Costenbader has participated in over $300 million of energy equity and mezzanine investments. Mr. Costenbader has extensive experience structuring business enterprises, building and monitoring financial pro formas, conducting due diligence, valuing assets, managing operations, structuring contracts, and working out assets. From 1998 to 2002, Mr. Costenbader was a partner with Capstone Global Energy and PurEnergy, both energy advisory and management firms, where he focused on origination, business development, and asset acquisitions and he led engagements with a number of clients. From 1989 to 1998, Mr. Costenbader was a senior member of the GE Capital Global Project & Structured Finance team. Mr. Costenbader received numerous Pinnacle Club, Circle of Excellence, and Quality Awards while at GE Capital. From 1986 to 1989, Mr. Costenbader managed energy projects for Catalyst Energy, a developer of hydro-electric power and other energy businesses. Mr. Costenbader received his MBA from Columbia University in 1986 and his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Lafayette College in 1982. He is a licensed Professional Engineer.

        James A. Flores.    Mr. Flores has over 25 years of experience in energy and finance. Most recently, Mr. Flores was an investment advisor, first independently in the ethanol fuel and geothermal power industries and, most recently as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Norwest Corporation, a leading mining and energy consulting firm in Salt Lake City, Utah. At Norwest, Mr. Flores was responsible for financial reporting and cash management for the company's worldwide subsidiaries, as well as leading its financial consulting practices, which included valuation, acquisition, and investment analyses principally in the coal industry. From 1994 to 2004, Mr. Flores was employed by MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway, with large interests in various independent power projects, utilities, gas pipelines, and oil and gas. Mr. Flores was responsible for financial analysis, project finance, and mergers and acquisitions ultimately as Vice President of Project Finance. Mr. Flores was involved in the development, construction, acquisition, financing, and operation of numerous power and energy projects worldwide totaling over $5 billion in capital. Prior to MidAmerican, Mr. Flores spent fifteen years in corporate banking first with Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company as a credit analyst, and subsequently with Mellon Bank in its international and

69


corporate banking departments. Mr. Flores has a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

        Michael R. McCall.    Mr. McCall has 17 years of energy and finance experience in North American natural gas and electricity markets. Mr. McCall's expertise is in the origination and structuring of complex merchant energy transactions designed to monetize asset value and manage financial and reliability risks for utilities and owners of power plants, gas storage assets, and transmission assets. He has extensive knowledge of the North American energy markets, energy trading operations, and energy risk management, as well as U.S. state and federal regulation. Prior to joining Prospect Capital Management, he co-founded and served as COO of Prospect Power Company, which seeks to provide energy transaction and risk management services to natural gas and power market participants, such as merchant generation owners. From 1999 to 2001, Mr. McCall worked with Allegheny Global Energy Markets in New York as Managing Director of Origination, where he built and led the power origination unit. From 2001 to 2002, Mr. McCall was a Vice President at Sempra Energy Trading, where he led efforts to develop strategic assets and businesses. Mr. McCall began his energy career with Enron Gas Marketing as a risk analyst and served in several roles of increasing responsibility, eventually becoming Vice President of Enron North America's Northeast Origination unit, where he played a central role in developing Enron's Northeast gas and power businesses. While at Enron, Mr. McCall led market strategy and development and managed the origination team; in addition, he personally originated transaction earnings exceeding $200 million. Mr. McCall holds a BBA in Business Data Systems and Accounting, and MBA in Finance, from the University of Texas, and is a CPA.

        Gregory J. Moroney.    Mr. Moroney has more than 25 years experience as an energy finance specialist throughout North and South America. He provides Prospect Capital Management with extensive training and experience in mezzanine finance, project finance, leveraged finance and capital markets as well as restructurings and workouts. Mr. Moroney held senior positions at Deutsche Bank Securities from 1993 to 2002. He established and supervised a $250 million mezzanine finance program for the junior oil and gas sector. He also led and supervised teams that raised more than $10 billion of funding for upstream, downstream and pipeline projects in nine countries throughout North and South America. Several of the transactions were awarded "Deal of the Year" by industry magazines including Project Finance International and Infrastructure Finance. Mr. Moroney worked for Citibank, N.A. and affiliates from 1975 to 1993 in New York, Toronto and Calgary. He was a Vice President in the Energy Group where he was designated a "specialized petroleum industry credit authority". He also worked in the Leveraged Finance Group. Prior thereto, he was Group Head for Corporate Finance in Toronto where he supervised a staff of forty people in four offices and a portfolio of more than $6 billion. During this period he was designated both a "Senior Banker" and a "Senior Credit Officer". He also led the financing that restructured the "take or pay" gas contract obligations ("TOPGAS") between Trans Canada Pipelines (TCPL) and the Canadian gas producing industry. Mr. Moroney has dual citizenship (USA and Canada) and is a member of the Energy Forum at the Stern School/NYU. In addition to holding a BA from Yale University, Mr. Moroney has attended numerous professional training schools covering Advanced Financial Accounting, Basic Petroleum Engineering, M&A Evaluations and Transformational Leadership.

Administration Agreement

        Pursuant to a separate administration agreement, Prospect Administration will furnish us with office facilities, equipment and clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities. Under the administration agreement, Prospect Administration also will perform, or oversee the performance of, our required administrative services, which include, among other things, being responsible for the financial records which we are required to maintain and preparing reports to our stockholders and reports filed with the SEC. In addition, Prospect Administration will assist us in determining and publishing our net asset value, oversee the preparation and filing of our tax returns

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and the printing and dissemination of reports to our stockholders, and generally oversee the payment of our expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to us by others. Payments under the administration agreement will be equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of Prospect Administration's overhead in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the costs of our chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs. Under the administration agreement, Prospect Administration will also provide on our behalf managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to provide such assistance. The administration agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty upon 60 days' written notice to the other party.

        The administration agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Prospect Administration and its officers, manager, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from Prospect Energy for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Prospect Administration's services under the administration agreement or otherwise as administrator for Prospect Energy.

License Agreement

        We plan to enter into a license agreement with Prospect Capital Management, pursuant to which Prospect Capital Management will agree to grant us a nonexclusive, royalty free license to use the name "Prospect Energy". Under this agreement, we will have a right to use the Prospect Energy name, for so long as Prospect Capital Management or one of its affiliates remains our investment adviser. Other than with respect to this limited license, we will have no legal right to the Prospect Energy name. This license agreement will remain in effect for so long as the investment advisory agreement with our investment adviser is in effect.


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

        We have entered into the investment advisory agreement with Prospect Capital Management, in which our senior management and our chairman of the board has financial interests. Our senior management may in the future also serve as principals of other investment managers affiliated with Prospect Capital Management that may in the future manage investment funds with investment objectives similar to ours. In addition, our executive officers and directors and the principals of our investment adviser, Prospect Capital Management, may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or related lines of business as we do or of investment funds managed by affiliates. Accordingly, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by advisers affiliated with Prospect Capital Management. However, our investment adviser and other members of Prospect intend to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner consistent with our investment objectives and strategies so that we are not disadvantaged in relation to any other client. See "Risk Factors—Risks relating to our business and structure—There are significant potential conflicts of interest which could impact our investment returns."

        In addition, pursuant to the terms of the administration agreement, Prospect Administration provides us with the office facilities and administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. Prospect Capital Management, our investment adviser, is the sole member of and controls Prospect Administration.

        We have no intention of investing in any portfolio company in which Prospect or any affiliate currently has an investment.

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CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

        Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, there will be 100 shares of common stock outstanding and one stockholder of record. At that time, we will have no other shares of capital stock outstanding. The following table sets forth certain ownership information with respect to our common stock for those persons who directly or indirectly own, control or hold with the power to vote, 5% or more of our outstanding common stock and all officers and directors, as a group.

 
    
   Percentage of common stock outstanding
 
    
   Immediately prior to this offering
   Immediately after this offering(1)
Name and address
   Type of ownership
   Shares owned
   Percentage
   Shares owned
   Percentage
Prospect Capital Management, LLC(2)   Record and beneficial   100   100.0 % 100   *
All officers and directors as a group (7 persons)   Record and/or beneficial   100 (3) 100.0 % 66,767   *
*
Represents less than 1%.

(1)
Assumes issuance of 7,000,000 shares offered hereby. Does not reflect shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the underwriters' overallotment option.

(2)
John F. Barry is a control person of Prospect Capital Management, LLC.

(3)
Represents shares of common stock held by Prospect Capital Management, LLC. Because John F. Barry controls Prospect Capital Management, LLC, he may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares of our common stock held by Prospect Capital Management, LLC. The address for all officers and directors is c/o Prospect Energy Corporation, 10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10016.

        The following table sets forth the dollar range of our equity securities beneficially owned by each of our directors immediately after this offering.

Name of director
   Dollar range of equity securities in the
company
   Aggregate dollar range of equity
securities in all registered investment
companies overseen by director in family
of investment companies
Independent Directors        
  Michael E. Basham   None   None
  Robert A. Davidson   None   None
  Walter V. Parker   None   None

Interested Directors
 
 
 
 
  John F. Barry III(1)   Over $100,000   Over $100,000
  M. Grier Eliasek   None   None
(1)
Includes an indirect beneficial ownership of 100 shares of our common stock, that are beneficially owned directly by Prospect Capital Management, by reason of Mr. Barry's position as a control person of Prospect Capital Management.

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

        The net asset value per share of our outstanding shares of common stock will be determined quarterly by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of shares outstanding.

        In calculating the value of our total assets, we will value investments for which market quotations are readily available at such market quotations. Debt and equity securities whose market price is not readily available will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. As a general rule, we will not value our loans or debt securities above cost, but loans and debt securities will be subject to fair value write-downs when the asset is considered impaired. With respect to private equity securities, each investment will be valued using comparisons of financial ratios of the portfolio companies that issued such private equity securities to peer companies that are public. The value will then be discounted to reflect the illiquid nature of the investment, as well as our minority, noncontrol position. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we will use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate our private equity valuation. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market value for most of the investments in our portfolio, we expect to value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board under a valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.

        With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors will undertake a multistep valuation process each quarter, as described below:

        The types of factors that we may take into account in fair value pricing our investments include, as relevant, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company's ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded securities and other relevant factors.

        Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and estimates not susceptible to substantiation by auditing procedures. Accordingly, under current auditing standards, the notes to our financial statements will refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements.

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DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

        We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash as provided below. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our stockholders who have not "opted out" of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends.

        No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have their cash dividend reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered stockholder may elect to receive an entire dividend in cash by notifying the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar, in writing so that such notice is received by the plan administrator no later than the record date for dividends to stockholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive dividends in cash and hold such shares in noncertificated form. Upon request by a stockholder participating in the plan, the plan administrator will, instead of crediting shares to the participant's account, issue a certificate registered in the participant's name for the number of whole shares of our common stock and a check for any fractional share. Such request by a stockholder must be received three days prior to the dividend payable date in order for that dividend to be paid in cash. If such request is received less than three days prior to the dividend payable date, then the dividends will be reinvested and shares will be repurchased for the stockholder's account; however, future dividends will be paid out in cash on all balances. Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive dividends in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.

        We intend to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the plan, whether our shares are trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. However, we reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to such stockholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on The Nasdaq National Market on the valuation date for such dividend. If we use newly-issued shares to implement the plan, the valuation date will not be earlier than the last day that stockholders have the right to elect to receive cash in lieu of shares. Market price per share on that date will be the closing price for such shares on The Nasdaq National Market or, if no sale is reported for such day, at the average of their reported bid and asked prices. The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after giving effect to payment of the dividend cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated.

        There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan administrator's fees under the plan will be paid by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant's account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15 transaction fee plus a $0.10 per share brokerage commissions from the proceeds.

        Stockholders who receive dividends in the form of stock are subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as are stockholders who elect to receive their dividends in cash. A stockholder's basis for determining gain or loss upon the sale of stock received in a dividend from us will be equal to the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to the stockholder. Any stock received in a dividend will have a new holding period for tax purposes commencing on the day following the day on which the shares are credited to the U.S. stockholder's account.

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        Participants may terminate their accounts under the plan by notifying the plan administrator via its website at www.amstock.com or by filling out the transaction request form located at the bottom of their statement and sending it to the plan administrator at American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560 or by calling the plan administrator's Interactive Voice Response System at 1-888-888-0313.

        The plan may be terminated by us upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any payable date for the payment of any dividend by us. All correspondence concerning the plan should be directed to the plan administrator by mail at American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10007 or by telephone at (718) 921-8200.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following discussion is a general summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in our shares. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income tax considerations applicable to us on such an investment. For example, we have not described tax consequences that we assume to be generally known by investors or certain considerations that may be relevant to certain types of holders subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, including stockholders subject to the alternative minimum tax, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, pension plans and trusts, and financial institutions. This summary assumes that investors hold our common stock as capital assets (within the meaning of the Code). The discussion is based upon the Code, Treasury regulations, and administrative and judicial interpretations, each as of the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly retroactively, which could affect the continuing validity of this discussion. We have not sought and will not seek any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding this offering. This summary does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets.

        A "U.S. stockholder" is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

        A "Non-U.S. stockholder" is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is not a U.S. stockholder.

        If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A prospective stockholder that is a partner of a partnership holding shares of our common stock should consult its tax advisors with respect to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock.

        Tax matters are very complicated and the tax consequences to an investor of an investment in our shares will depend on the facts of his, her or its particular situation. We encourage investors to consult their own tax advisors regarding the specific consequences of such an investment, including tax reporting requirements, the applicability of federal, state, local and foreign tax laws, eligibility for the benefits of any applicable tax treaty and the effect of any possible changes in the tax laws.

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Election to be taxed as a RIC

        As a business development company, we intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, to obtain RIC tax treatment, we must distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our "investment company taxable income," which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the "Annual Distribution Requirement").

Taxation as a RIC

        If we qualify as a RIC and satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, then we will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses) we distribute to stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the regular corporate rates on any income or capital gain not distributed (or deemed distributed) to our stockholders.

        We will be subject to a 4% non-deductible federal excise tax on certain undistributed income of RICs unless we distribute in a timely manner an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of our ordinary income for each calendar year, (2) 98% of our capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 in that calendar year and (3) any income realized, but not distributed, in preceding years (the "Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement"). We currently intend to make sufficient distributions each taxable year to satisfy the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement.

        In order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

        In order to meet the 90% Income Test, we may establish one or more special purpose corporations to hold assets from which we do not anticipate earning dividend, interest or other qualifying income under the 90% Income Test. Any such special purpose corporation would generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax, and could result in a reduced after-tax yield on the portion of our assets held there.

        We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original

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issue discount (such as debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.

        Gain or loss realized by us from warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term or short-term, depending on how long we held a particular warrant.

        Although we do not presently expect to do so, we are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain "asset coverage" tests are met. See "Regulation—Senior securities." Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our status as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the Excise Tax Avoidance Requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.

        If we fail to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement or otherwise fail to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, we will be subject to tax in that year on all of our taxable income, regardless of whether we make any distributions to our stockholders. In that case, all of such income will be subject to corporate-level federal income tax, reducing the amount available to be distributed to our stockholders. See "Failure to Obtain RIC Tax Treatment" below. In contrast, assuming we qualify as a RIC, our corporate-level federal income tax should be substantially reduced or eliminated. See "Election to be taxed as a RIC" above.

        The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC and have satisfied the Annual Distribution Requirement.

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

        Distributions by us generally are taxable to U.S. stockholders as ordinary income or capital gains. Distributions of our "investment company taxable income" (which is, generally, our ordinary income plus realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses) will be taxable as ordinary income to U.S. stockholders to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. To the extent such distributions paid by us to noncorporate stockholders (including individuals) are attributable to dividends from U.S. corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, such distributions generally will be eligible for a maximum tax rate of 15%. In this regard, it is anticipated that distributions paid by us will generally not be attributable to dividends and, therefore, generally will not qualify for the 15% maximum rate. Distributions of our net capital gains (which is generally our realized net long-term capital gains in excess of realized net short-term capital losses) properly designated by us as "capital gain dividends" will be taxable to a U.S. stockholder as long-term capital gains at a maximum rate of 15% in the case of individuals, trusts or estates, regardless of the U.S. stockholder's holding period for his, her or its common stock and regardless of whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional common stock. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits first will reduce a U.S. stockholder's adjusted tax basis in such stockholder's common stock and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such U.S. stockholder.

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        Although we currently intend to distribute any long-term capital gains at least annually, we may in the future decide to retain some or all of our long-term capital gains, but designate the retained amount as a "deemed distribution." In that case, among other consequences, we will pay tax on the retained amount, each U.S. stockholder will be required to include his, her or its share of the deemed distribution in income as if it had been actually distributed to the U.S. stockholder, and the U.S. stockholder will be entitled to claim a credit equal to his, her or its allocable share of the tax paid thereon by us. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the U.S. stockholder's tax basis for his, her or its common stock. Since we expect to pay tax on any retained capital gains at our regular corporate tax rate, and since that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on long-term capital gains, the amount of tax that individual stockholders will be treated as having paid and for which they will receive a credit will exceed the tax they owe on the retained net capital gain. Such excess generally may be claimed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder's other federal income tax obligations or may be refunded to the extent it exceeds a stockholder's liability for federal income tax. A stockholder that is not subject to federal income tax or otherwise required to file a federal income tax return would be required to file a federal income tax return on the appropriate form in order to claim a refund for the taxes we paid. In order to utilize the deemed distribution approach, we must provide written notice to our stockholders prior to the expiration of 60 days after the close of the relevant taxable year. We cannot treat any of our investment company taxable income as a "deemed distribution."

        For purposes of determining (1) whether the Annual Distribution Requirement is satisfied for any year and (2) the amount of capital gain dividends paid for that year, we may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a dividend that is paid during the following taxable year as if it had been paid during the taxable year in question. If we make such an election, the U.S. stockholder will still be treated as receiving the dividend in the taxable year in which the distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by us in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by our U.S. stockholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

        If an investor purchases shares of our common stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution even though it represents a return of his, her or its investment.

        A stockholder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss if the stockholder sells or otherwise disposes of his, her or its shares of our common stock. Any gain arising from such sale or disposition generally will be treated as capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held his, her or its shares for more than one year. Otherwise, it would be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or disposition of shares of our common stock held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received, or undistributed capital gain deemed received, with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of any loss recognized upon a disposition of shares of our common stock may be disallowed if other shares of our common stock are purchased (whether through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within 30 days before or after the disposition.

        In general, individual U.S. stockholders currently are subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 15% on their net capital gain, i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gain over realized net short-term capital loss for a taxable year, including a long-term capital gain derived from an investment in our shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. stockholders currently are subject to federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 35% rate also applied to ordinary income. Noncorporate stockholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a noncorporate

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stockholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years as provided in the Code. Corporate stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year, but may carry back such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

        We will send to each of our U.S. stockholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each calendar year, a notice detailing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such U.S. stockholder's taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year's distributions generally will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (including the amount of dividends, if any, eligible for the 15% maximum rate). Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder's particular situation. Dividends distributed by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the preferential rate applicable to qualifying dividends.

        We may be required to withhold federal income tax ("backup withholding") currently at a rate of 28% from all taxable distributions to any noncorporate U.S. stockholder (1) who fails to furnish us with a correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that such stockholder is exempt from backup withholding, or (2) with respect to whom the IRS notifies us that such stockholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual's taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. Any amount withheld under backup withholding is allowed as a credit against the U.S. stockholder's federal income tax liability and may entitle such shareholder to a refund, provided that proper information is timely provided to the IRS.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

        Whether an investment in the shares is appropriate for a Non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that person's particular circumstances. An investment in the shares by a Non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisers before investing in our common stock.

        Distributions of our "investment company taxable income" to Non-U.S. stockholders (including interest income and net short-term capital gain, which generally would be free of withholding if paid to Non-U.S. stockholders directly) will be subject to withholding of federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits unless the distributions are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder, and, if an income tax treaty applies, attributable to a permanent establishment in the United States, in which case the distributions will be subject to federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. persons. In that case, we will not be required to withhold federal tax if the Non-U.S. stockholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements. Special certification requirements apply to a Non-U.S. stockholder that is a foreign partnership or a foreign trust, and such entities are urged to consult their own tax advisors.

        Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gains to a Non-U.S. stockholder, and gains realized by a Non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our common stock, will not be subject to federal withholding tax and generally will not be subject to federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. stockholder and, if an income tax treaty applies, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. stockholder in the United States.

        If we distribute our net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions (which we may do in the future), a Non-U.S. stockholder will be entitled to a federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholder's allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the Non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a federal income tax return even if the Non-U.S. stockholder would not

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otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a federal income tax return. For a corporate Non-U.S. stockholder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains realized upon the sale of our common stock that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional "branch profits tax" at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable treaty). Accordingly, investment in the shares may not be appropriate for a Non-U.S. stockholder.

        A Non-U.S. stockholder who is a nonresident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of federal tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of federal income tax on dividends unless the Non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W8BEN (or an acceptable substitute form) or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a Non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding.

        Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the shares.

Failure to Obtain RIC Tax Treatment

        If we were unable to obtain tax treatment as a RIC, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions would generally be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividend income eligible for the 15% maximum rate to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate distributees would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder's tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

        The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and on our charter and bylaws. This summary is not necessarily complete, and we refer you to the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws for a more detailed description of the provisions summarized below.

Capital Stock

        Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of stock, par value $.001 per share, all of which is initially classified as common stock. There is currently no market for our common stock, and we can offer no assurances that a market for our shares will develop in the future. Our common stock has been approved for quotation on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PSEC." There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our stock. No stock has been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.

        Under our charter, our board of directors is authorized to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, and to authorize the issuance of such shares, without obtaining stockholder approval. As permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that the board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.

        All shares of our common stock have equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and, when they are issued, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion or redemption rights and are freely transferable, except where their transfer is restricted by federal and state securities laws or by contract. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, each share of our common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of our preferred stock, if any preferred stock is outstanding at such time. Each share of our common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series of stock, the holders of our common stock will possess exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which means that holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock will elect all of our directors, and holders of less than a majority of such shares will be unable to elect any director.

        Our charter authorizes our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Maryland law and by our charter to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock with terms and conditions which could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. You should note, however, that any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the

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requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, such preferred stock together with all other senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of shares of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock are in arrears by two years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding preferred stock. For example, holders of preferred stock would vote separately from the holders of common stock on a proposal to cease operations as a business development company. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions.

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

        Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates directors' and officers' liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.

        Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to obligate ourselves to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while serving as a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while serving as a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in any such capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

        Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving

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rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

        Our insurance policy does not currently provide coverage for claims, liabilities and expenses that may arise out of activities that a present or former director or officer of us has performed for another entity at our request. There is no assurance that such entities will in fact carry such insurance. However, we note that we do not expect to request our present or former directors or officers to serve another entity as a director, officer, partner or trustee unless we can obtain insurance providing coverage for such persons for any claims, liabilities or expenses that may arise out of their activities while serving in such capacities.

Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our Charter and Bylaws

        The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquiror to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

        Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. The initial terms of the first, second and third classes will expire in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively, and in each case, until their successors are duly elected and qualify. Beginning in 2005, upon expiration of their current terms, directors of each class will be elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify and each year one class of directors will be elected by the stockholders. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors will help to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

        Our charter and bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors will be required to elect a director. Under the charter, our board of directors may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

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        Our charter provides that the number of directors will be set only by the board of directors in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than three nor more than eight. Our charter provides that, at such time as we have three independent directors and our common stock is registered under the Exchange Act, we elect to be subject to the provision of Subtitle 8 of Title 3 of the Maryland General Corporation Law regarding the filling of vacancies on the board of directors. Accordingly, at such time, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of preferred stock, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.

        Our charter provides that a director may be removed only for cause, as defined in our charter, and then only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors.

        The Maryland General Corporation Law provides that stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or (unless the charter provides for stockholder action by less than unanimous written consent, which our charter does not) by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of our bylaws regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholders discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.

        Our bylaws provide that with respect to an annual meeting of stockholders, nominations of persons for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by the board of directors or (3) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors at a special meeting may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by the board of directors or (3) provided that the board of directors has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of the bylaws.

        The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our board of directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to

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approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.

        Our bylaws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called by our board of directors and certain of our officers. Additionally, our bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by the secretary of the corporation upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting.

        Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, a Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter generally provides for approval of charter amendments and extraordinary transactions by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter also provides that certain charter amendments and any proposal for our conversion, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company or any proposal for our liquidation or dissolution requires the approval of the stockholders entitled to cast at least 80 percent of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter. However, if such amendment or proposal is approved by at least two-thirds of our continuing directors (in addition to approval by our board of directors), such amendment or proposal may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such a matter. The "continuing directors" are defined in our charter as our current directors as well as those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the continuing directors then on the board of directors.

        Our charter and bylaws provide that the board of directors will have the exclusive power to make, alter, amend or repeal any provision of our bylaws.

        Except with respect to appraisal rights arising in connection with the Control Share Act discussed below, as permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our charter provides that stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.

        The Maryland General Corporation Law provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter (the "Control Share Act"). Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

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        The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquiror crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

        A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

        If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may repurchase for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to repurchase control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations, including, as provided in our bylaws, compliance with the 1940 Act. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

        The Control Share Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

        Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Act any and all acquisitions by any person of our shares of stock. There can be no assurance that such provision will not be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Act only if the board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act.

        Under Maryland law, "business combinations" between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

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        A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

        After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

        These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation's common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

        The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution that any business combination between us and any other person is exempted from the provisions of the Business Combination Act, provided that the business combination is first approved by the board of directors, including a majority of the directors who are not interested persons as defined in the 1940 Act. This resolution, however, may be altered or repealed in whole or in part at any time. If this resolution is repealed, or the board of directors does not otherwise approve a business combination, the statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

        Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, including the Control Share Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to such Act) and the Business Combination Act, or any provision of our charter or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

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REGULATION

        We are a closed-end, non-diversified investment company that has filed an election to be treated as a business development company under the 1940 Act and intend to elect to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between business development companies and their affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters and requires that a majority of the directors be persons other than "interested persons," as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. In addition, the 1940 Act provides that we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw our election as, a business development company unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities. We intend to focus on energy companies and will invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of our net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in these companies. This 80% investment policy is not fundamental and, as a result, we may change this policy without first obtaining your approval. However, we may not change or modify this policy unless we provide you with at least 60 days' prior notice.

        We may invest up to 100% of our assets in securities acquired directly from issuers in privately negotiated transactions. With respect to such securities, we may, for the purpose of public resale, be deemed an "underwriter" as that term is defined in the Securities Act. Our intention is to not write (sell) or buy put or call options to manage risks associated with the publicly traded securities of our portfolio companies, except that we may enter into hedging transactions to manage the risks associated with interest rate and other market fluctuations. However, we may purchase or otherwise receive warrants to purchase the common stock of our portfolio companies in connection with acquisition financing or other investment. Similarly, in connection with an acquisition, we may acquire rights to require the issuers of acquired securities or their affiliates to repurchase them under certain circumstances. We also do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any registered investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of more than one investment company. With regard to that portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies, it should be noted that such investments might subject our stockholders to additional expenses. None of these policies are fundamental and may be changed without stockholder approval.

Qualifying Assets

        Under the 1940 Act, a business development company may not acquire any asset other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company's total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our proposed business are the following:

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        In addition, a business development company must have been organized and have its principal place of business in the United States and must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described in (1), (2) or (3) above.

Managerial Assistance To Portfolio Companies

        In order to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the business development company must either control the issuer of the securities or must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the business development company purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, one of the other persons in the group may make available such managerial assistance. Making available significant managerial assistance means, among other things, any arrangement whereby the business development company, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.

Temporary Investments

        Pending investment in other types of "qualifying assets," as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, so that 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. Typically, we will invest in U.S. treasury bills or in repurchase agreements, provided that such agreements are fully collateralized by cash or securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies. A repurchase agreement involves the purchase by an investor, such as us, of a specified security and the simultaneous agreement by the seller to repurchase it at an agreed upon future date and at a price which is greater than the purchase price by an amount that reflects an agreed-upon interest rate. There is no percentage restriction on the proportion of our

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assets that may be invested in such repurchase agreements. However, if more than 25% of our total assets constitute repurchase agreements from a single counterparty, we would not meet the Diversification Tests in order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes. Thus, we do not intend to enter into repurchase agreements with a single counterparty in excess of this limit. Our investment adviser will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

Senior Securities

        We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 200% immediately after each such issuance. In addition, while any senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see "Risk factors—Risks relating to our business and structure—Regulations governing our operation as a business development company affect our ability to, and the way in which we raise additional capital."

Code of Ethics

        We and Prospect Capital Management have each adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that establishes procedures for personal investments and restricts certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to each code may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code's requirements. For information on how to obtain a copy of each code of ethics, see "Available Information."

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

        We have delegated our proxy voting responsibility to our investment adviser, Prospect Capital Management. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of Prospect Capital Management are set forth below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by Prospect Capital Management and our independent directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.

        As an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Prospect Capital Management has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, Prospect Capital Management recognizes that it must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of its clients.

        These policies and procedures for voting proxies for Prospect Capital Management's investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

        These policies are designed to be responsive to the wide range of subjects that may be the subject of a proxy vote. These policies are not exhaustive due to the variety of proxy voting issues that Prospect Capital Management may be required to consider. In general, Prospect Capital Management will vote proxies in accordance with these guidelines unless: (1) Prospect Capital Management has determined to consider the matter on a case-by-case basis (as is stated in these guidelines), (2) the subject matter of the vote is not covered by these guidelines, (3) a material conflict of interest is present, or (4) Prospect Capital Management might find it necessary to vote contrary to its general guidelines to maximize

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shareholder value and vote in its clients' best interests. In such cases, a decision on how to vote will be made by the Proxy Voting Committee (as described below). In reviewing proxy issues, Prospect Capital Management will apply the following general policies:

        In general, Prospect Capital Management will vote in favor of the management-proposed slate of directors. If there is a proxy fight for seats on the Board or Prospect Capital Management determines that there are other compelling reasons for withholding votes for directors, the Proxy Voting Committee will determine the appropriate vote on the matter. Prospect Capital Management believes that directors have a duty to respond to shareholder actions that have received significant shareholder support. Prospect Capital Management may withhold votes for directors that fail to act on key issues such as failure to implement proposals to declassify boards, failure to implement a majority vote requirement, failure to submit a rights plan to a shareholder vote and failure to act on tender offers where a majority of shareholders have tendered their shares. Finally, Prospect Capital Management may withhold votes for directors of non-U.S. issuers where there is insufficient information about the nominees disclosed in the proxy statement.

        Prospect Capital Management believes that the company remains in the best position to choose the auditors and will generally support management's recommendation.

        Changes in a company's charter, articles of incorporation or by-laws may be required by state or federal regulation. In general, Prospect Capital Management will cast its votes in accordance with the company's management on such proposals. However, the Proxy Voting Committee will review and analyze on a case-by-case basis any proposals regarding changes in corporate structure that are not required by state or federal regulation.

        Prospect Capital Management believes proxy votes dealing with corporate reorganizations are an extension of the investment decision. Accordingly, the Proxy Voting Committee will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis.

        Prospect Capital Management will generally vote in favor of proposals that give shareholders a greater voice in the affairs of the company and oppose any measure that seeks to limit those rights. However, when analyzing such proposals, Prospect Capital Management will weigh the financial impact of the proposal against the impairment of shareholder rights.

        Prospect Capital Management recognizes the importance of good corporate governance in ensuring that management and the board of directors fulfill their obligations to the shareholders. Prospect Capital Management favors proposals promoting transparency and accountability within a company.

        The Proxy Voting Committee will evaluate, on a case-by-case basis, proposals regarding anti-takeover measures to determine the measure's likely effect on shareholder value dilution.

        Prospect Capital Management will generally vote with management on stock split matters.

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        Prospect Capital Management will generally vote with management on matters that would affect the limited liability of directors.

        The Proxy Voting Committee may review and analyze on a case-by-case basis proposals relating to social, political and environmental issues to determine whether they will have a financial impact on shareholder value. Prospect Capital Management may abstain from voting on social proposals that do not have a readily determinable financial impact on shareholder value.

        Prospect Capital Management will generally vote proxies in accordance with these guidelines. In circumstances in which (1) Prospect Capital Management has determined to consider the matter on a case-by-case basis (as is stated in these guidelines), (2) the subject matter of the vote is not covered by these guidelines, (3) a material conflict of interest is present, or (4) Prospect Capital Management might find it necessary to vote contrary to its general guidelines to maximize shareholder value and vote in its clients' best interests, the Proxy Voting Committee will vote the proxy.

        Prospect Capital Management has formed a proxy voting committee to establish general proxy policies and consider specific proxy voting matters as necessary. In addition, members of the committee may contact management and interested shareholder groups as necessary to discuss proxy issues. Members of the committee will include relevant senior personnel. The committee may also evaluate proxies where we face a potential conflict of interest (as discussed below). Finally, the committee monitors adherence to guidelines, and reviews the policies contained in this statement from time to time.

        Prospect Capital Management recognizes that there may be a potential conflict of interest when it votes a proxy solicited by an issuer that is its advisory client or a client or customer of one of our affiliates or with whom it has another business or personal relationship that may affect how it votes on the issuer's proxy. Prospect Capital Management believes that adherence to these policies and procedures ensures that proxies are voted with only its clients' best interests in mind. To ensure that its votes are not the product of a conflict of interests, Prospect Capital Management requires that: (i) anyone involved in the decision making process (including members of the Proxy Voting Committee) disclose to the chairman of the Proxy Voting Committee any potential conflict that he or she is aware of and any contact that he or she has had with any interested party regarding a proxy vote; and (ii) employees involved in the decision making process or vote administration are prohibited from revealing how Prospect Capital Management intends to vote on a proposal in order to reduce any attempted influence from interested parties.

        Each account's custodian will forward all relevant proxy materials to Prospect Capital Management, either electronically or in physical form to the address of record that Prospect Capital Management has provided to the custodian.

        Prospect Capital Management must retain the following documents pertaining to proxy voting:

93


        All of the above-referenced records will be maintained and preserved for a period of not less than five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made. The first two years of records must be maintained at our office.

        Clients may obtain information about how Prospect Capital Management voted proxies on their behalf by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Compliance Officer, Prospect Capital Management, LLC, 10 East 40th Street, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10016.


SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

        Upon completion of this offering, 7,000,100 shares of our common stock will be outstanding, based on the number of shares outstanding on July 27, 2004, assuming no exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option. Of these shares, 7,000,000 shares of our common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradeable without restriction or limitation under the Securities Act, other than shares purchased by our affiliates. Any shares purchased in this offering by our affiliates will be subject to the public information, manner of sale and volume limitations of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.


CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

        Our securities are held under a custody agreement by U.S. Bank National Association. The address of the custodian is: 425 Walnut Street, M.L. CN-OH-W6TC, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, Attention: Mutual Fund Custody Services, facsimile: (651) 767-9164. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company will act as our transfer agent, dividend paying agent and registrar. The principal business address of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company is 59 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10007, telephone number: (718) 921-8200.


BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

        Since we will generally acquire and dispose of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, we will infrequently use brokers in the normal course of our business. Subject to policies established by our board of directors, the investment adviser will be primarily responsible for the execution of the publicly traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. The investment adviser does not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer, but will seek to obtain the best net results for Prospect Energy, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution, and operational facilities of the firm and the firm's risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. While the investment adviser will generally seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs, Prospect Energy will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements, the investment adviser may select a broker based partly upon brokerage or research services provided to the investment adviser and Prospect Energy and any other clients. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if the investment adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

94


UNDERWRITING

        Subject to the terms and conditions of an underwriting agreement dated July 27, 2004, the underwriters named below have severally agreed to purchase from us the number of shares of common stock indicated in the following table. Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated is the representative of the underwriters.

Underwriters
   Number of Shares
Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated   3,675,000
D.A. Davidson & Co.    1,750,000
Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.   1,050,000
Wunderlich Securities, Inc.   525,000
   
Total   7,000,000
   

        The underwriters propose to offer our common shares directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers will be sold at the public offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $0.63 per share. The underwriters may allow, and these selected dealers may re-allow, a concession of not more than $0.10 per share to other brokers and dealers.

        The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters' obligations to purchase our common shares are subject to the approval of legal matters by counsel and to other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to purchase all of the shares of common stock that they have agreed to purchase under the underwriting agreement, other than those covered by the over-allotment option, if they purchase any shares of common stock.

        The representative of the underwriters has advised us that the underwriters do not intend to confirm sales to any account over which they exercise discretionary authority.

Directed Share Program

        At our request, the underwriters have allotted 66,667 of the common shares being offered by this prospectus for sale to our directors and officers and to certain other parties related to us. The sales will be made by Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated through a directed share program. We do not know if these persons will choose to purchase all or any portion of these reserved shares, but any purchases they do make will reduce the number of shares available to the general public. These persons must commit to purchase the shares no later than the close of business on the day following the date of this prospectus and must open an account at Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated if they do not already have an account. The shares of common stock issued in connection with the directed share program will be issued as a part of the underwritten public offering.

        We will receive the same amount of cash per share from the sale of the shares pursuant to the directed share program as we will receive from the sale of the shares to the general public. Accordingly, the investors in the offering will not experience any additional dilution by virtue of the directed share program.

95


Underwriting Discount and Expenses

        The following table summarizes the underwriting discount to be paid to the underwriters by us and a financial advisory fee to be paid to Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated by us.

 
   Per
Share
   Total, without
Over-allotment
   Total, with
Over-allotment
Underwriting discount to be paid to the underwriters by us   $ 1.05   $ 7,350,000   $ 8,452,500

Financial advisory fee to be paid to Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated by us
 
$
0.0375
 
$
262,500
 
$
301,875

        We will pay all expenses of the offering that we incur. We estimate that our total expenses in connection with this offering, excluding the underwriting discount, will be approximately $1,268,500. This estimate of our total expenses includes the one-time fee of 0.25% of the gross offering proceeds that we have agreed to pay Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated for financial advisory services in connection with this offering.

Over-allotment Option

        We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable not later than 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to 1,050,000 additional shares of common stock at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The underwriters may exercise the option solely to cover over-allotments, if any, made in connection with this offering. To the extent that the underwriters exercise the option, each underwriter will become obligated, as long as the conditions of the underwriting agreement are satisfied, to purchase a number of additional shares of common stock approximately proportionate to that underwriter's initial commitment as indicated in the above table. We will be obligated, pursuant to the option, to sell these additional shares of common stock to the underwriters to the extent the option is exercised.

Indemnification

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.

Lockup Agreements

        We have agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any transaction that is designed to, or could reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition of any of our shares of common stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our shares of common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, without the prior written consent of Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated. Certain of our executive officers and directors, and our sole stockholder have agreed not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of or enter into any transaction that is designed to, or could reasonably be expected to result in the disposition of our shares of common stock, other than shares of our common stock purchased in open market transactions after the pricing of this offering or shares of our common stock issued pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus without the prior written consent of Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated. This consent may be given at any time without public notice. However, shares of our common stock that are subject to these lock-up agreements may be transferred as a bona fide gift or to a trust for the benefit of the executive officer or director and/or an immediate family member of such executive officer or director, provided that the donee or trust agrees in writing to the terms of the lock-up agreement to which such executive officer or director is bound. With the exception of the underwriters' over-allotment option, there are no present agreements

96


between the underwriters and us or any of our executive officers or directors, or our sole stockholder releasing us or them from these lock-up agreements prior to the expiration of the 180-day period.

Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

        The underwriters may engage in over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions, stabilizing transactions and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of our shares of common stock:

        Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of our shares of common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. If the underwriters sell more shares than could be covered by the over-allotment option, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

        Penalty bids permit the representative to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the common shares originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

        These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our shares of common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our shares of common stock. As a result, the price of our shares of common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on The Nasdaq National Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

        Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our shares of common stock. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Pricing of the Offering

        Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our shares of common stock. Consequently, the initial public offering price for our shares of common stock has been determined by

97


negotiations between us and the representative of the underwriters. Among the primary factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were:

Quotation of Shares

        Our common stock has been approved for quotation on The Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "PSEC."

Other

        This offering is being conducted in compliance with Rule 2810 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

        The address of Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated is 100 Light Street, 8th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The address of D.A. Davidson & Co. is 2 Centerpointe, Suite 400, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035. The address of Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. is 800 Shades Creek Parkway, Suite 700, Birmingham, Alabama 35209. The address of Wunderlich Securities, Inc. is 6305 Humphreys Blvd., Suite 210, Memphis, Tennessee 38120.


LEGAL MATTERS

        Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for Prospect Energy by Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, New York, and Venable LLP, Baltimore, Maryland. Shearman & Sterling LLP also represents Prospect Capital Management. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Washington, D.C.


INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        KPMG LLP is the independent registered public accounting firm of Prospect Energy.


AVAILABLE INFORMATION

        Upon completion of this offering, we will file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. You may inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information, as well as the registration statement and related exhibits and schedules, at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC which are available on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

98


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors of Prospect Energy Corporation:

        We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Prospect Energy Corporation (the "Company") as of June 24, 2004, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets for the period from inception, April 13, 2004, through June 24, 2004. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

        We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

        As described in note 4 to the June 24, 2004 financial statements, the Company has accrued organizational expenses on its balance sheet and disclosed estimated offering expenses. In the event that the public offering does not occur, the Investment Adviser may not be able to recover advanced expenses and the Company will not have the funds required to pay these expenses.

        In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 24, 2004 and the results of its operations and its changes in net assets for the period from inception, April 13, 2004, through June 24, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

GRAPHIC

New York, New York
July 2, 2004, except as to Notes 3 and 4,
    which are as of July 27, 2004

F-1


PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION

BALANCE SHEET

As of June 24, 2004


 
 
 
 
 
Assets        
Cash   $ 1,500  
   
 
Total Assets   $ 1,500  
   
 

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Amount owed to Affiliate   $ 100,000  
   
 
Total Liabilities   $ 100,000  
   
 

Stockholder's Deficit
 
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 100 shares outstanding   $ 1  
Additional Paid in Capital     1,499  
Accumulated Deficit     (100,000 )
   
 
Stockholder's Deficit   $ (98,500 )
   
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Deficit   $ 1,500  
   
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

F-2


PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Period from Inception, April 13, 2004,
Through June 24, 2004

Expenses:      

Organizational costs
 
$
100,000
   

Net Investment Loss
 
$
100,000
   

Decrease in net assets resulting from operations
 
$
100,000
   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

F-3


PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

For the Period from Inception, April 13, 2004,
Through June 24, 2004

 
   Common Stock
    
    
    
  
 
   Additional
Paid in
Capital
   Accumulated
Deficit
   Stockholder's
Deficit
  
 
   Shares
   Amount
  
Balance, April 13, 2004   —   $ —   $ —   $ —   $ —  
Sale of common stock   100     1     1,499     —     1,500  
Decrease in net assets resulting
from operations		   —     —     —     (100,000 )   (100,000 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, June 24, 2004   100   $ 1   $ 1,499   $ (100,000 ) $ (98,500 )
   
 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

F-4


PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

June 24, 2004

Notes

1.    ORGANIZATION

        Prospect Energy Corporation ("Prospect Energy") was organized as a Maryland corporation on April 13, 2004. Prospect Energy has not had operations other than the sale and issuance of 100 shares of common stock at an aggregate purchase price of $1,500 to Prospect Capital Management, LLC (the "Investment Adviser") and the incurrence of organizational expenses of approximately $100,000.

        Prospect Energy is a closed-end investment company that has filed an election to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the "1940 Act." Prospect Energy intends to focus on energy companies and intends to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in these companies. Prospect Energy is a non-diversified company within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

        Prospect Energy intends to concentrate on making investments in energy companies having annual revenues of less than $250 million and in transaction sizes of less than $100 million. In most cases, these companies will be privately held or will have thinly traded public equity securities.

2.    ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reported period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

3.    AGREEMENTS

        Prospect Energy has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment Adviser under which the Investment Adviser, subject to the overall supervision of Prospect Energy's board of directors, will manage the day-to-day operations of, and provide investment advisory services to, Prospect Energy. For providing these services the Investment Adviser will receive a fee from Prospect Energy, consisting of two components—a base management fee and an incentive fee. The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 2.00% on Prospect Energy's gross assets (including amounts borrowed). For services rendered under the Investment Advisory Agreement during the period commencing from the closing of Prospect Energy's initial public offering through and including the first six months of operations, the base management fee will be payable monthly in arrears. For services rendered under the Investment Advisory Agreement after that time, the base management fee will be payable quarterly in arrears. For the first quarter of Prospect Energy's operations commencing from the closing of Prospect Energy's initial public offering, the base management fee will be calculated based on the value of Prospect Energy's gross assets at the closing of the initial public offering. Subsequently, the base management fee will be calculated based on the average value of Prospect Energy's gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters (the closing of Prospect Energy's initial public offering will be treated as a quarter end for these purposes) and appropriately adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current calendar quarter. Base management fees for any partial month or quarter will be appropriately pro rated.

F-5


        The incentive fee will have two parts, as follows: The first part, the income incentive fee, will be calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on Prospect Energy's pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees and other fees that Prospect Energy receives from portfolio companies) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus Prospect Energy's operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with payment in kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of Prospect Energy's net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, will be compared to a "hurdle rate" of 1.75% per quarter (7% annualized). The net investment income used to calculate this part of the incentive fee is also included in the amount of the gross assets used to calculate the 2% base management fee. Prospect Energy will pay the Investment Adviser an income incentive fee with respect to Prospect Energy's pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows: (1) no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which Prospect Energy's pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate; (2) 100% of Prospect Energy's pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 125% of the quarterly hurdle rate in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized assuming a 7% annualized hurdle rate); and (3) 20% of the amount of Prospect Energy's pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 125% of the quarterly hurdle rate in any calendar quarter (8.75% annualized assuming a 7% annualized hurdle rate). These calculations will be appropriately pro rated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the current quarter.

        The second part of the incentive fee, the capital gains incentive fee, will be determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), commencing on December 31, 2004, and will equal 20.0% of Prospect Energy's realized capital gains for the calendar year, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation at the end of such year; provided that the capital gains incentive fee determined as of December 31, 2004 will be calculated for a period of shorter than twelve calendar months to take into account any realized capital gains computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation for the period ending December 31, 2004. In determining the capital gains incentive fee payable to the Investment Adviser, Prospect Energy will calculate the aggregate realized capital gains, aggregate realized capital losses and aggregate unrealized capital depreciation, as applicable, with respect to each of the investments in its portfolio. For this purpose, aggregate realized capital gains, if any, will equal the sum of the differences between the net sales price of each investment, when sold, and the original cost of such investment since inception. Aggregate realized capital losses will equal the sum of the amounts by which the net sales price of each

F-6


investment, when sold, is less than the original cost of such investment since inception. Aggregate unrealized capital depreciation will equal the sum of the difference, if negative, between the valuation of each investment as of the applicable date and the original cost of such investment. At the end of the applicable period, the amount of capital gains that will serve as the basis for Prospect Energy's calculation of the capital gains incentive fee will equal the aggregate realized capital gains less aggregate realized capital losses and less aggregate unrealized capital depreciation with respect to its portfolio of investments. If this number is positive at the end of such period, then the capital gains incentive fee for such period will be equal to 20% of such amount, less the aggregate amount of any capital gains incentive fees paid in respect of its portfolio in all prior periods.

        Prospect Energy has also entered into an Administration Agreement with Prospect Administration, LLC ("Prospect Administration") under which Prospect Administration will, among other things, provide administrative services and facilities for Prospect Energy. For providing these services, Prospect Energy will reimburse Prospect Administration for Prospect Energy's allocable portion of overhead incurred by Prospect Administration in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and Prospect Energy's allocable portion of the compensation of its chief compliance officer and chief financial officer and their respective staffs. Prospect Administration will also provide on Prospect Energy's behalf managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which Prospect Energy is required to provide such assistance.

4.    ORGANIZATIONAL AND OFFERING EXPENSES

        A portion of the net proceeds of this offering, assuming the issuance of 7,000,000 shares plus 1,050,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance upon exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option, will be used for organizational and offering expenses of approximately $100,000 and $1,268,500 ($1,307,875 if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), respectively. Organizational expenses are expensed as incurred. The Investment Adviser has or will advance a portion of these expenses. In the event that the public offering does not occur, the Investment Adviser may not be able to recover these advanced expenses and Prospect Energy may not have the funds required to pay these expenses.

5.    FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

        Prospect Energy intends to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and to make distributions to its stockholders that will relieve it from Federal income or excise taxes. Therefore, no provision has been recorded for Federal income or excise taxes.

F-7

        No dealer, salesperson or other individual has been authorized to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained in this prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by us or the underwriters. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs or that information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Summary   1
Fees and Expenses   11
Risk Factors   13
Forward-Looking Statements   28
Use of Proceeds   29
Dividends   30
Capitalization   31
Discussion of Management's Expected Operating Plans   32
Business   34
Management   56
Certain Relationships   71
Control Persons and Principal Stockholders   72
Determination of Net Asset Value   73
Dividend Reinvestment Plan   74
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations   76
Description of Our Capital Stock   82
Regulation   89
Shares Eligible for Future Sale   94
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar   94
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices   94
Underwriting   95
Legal Matters   98
Independent Accountants   98
Available Information   98
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   F-1
Financial Statements   F-2
Notes   F-5

        Until August 21, 2004 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

7,000,000 Shares

GRAPHIC

Common Stock


PROSPECTUS

Ferris, Baker Watts
Incorporated
 D.A. Davidson & Co.
Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.
Wunderlich Securities, Inc.

July 27, 2004


PART C—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 24.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

        (1) Financial Statements

        The following statements of Prospect Energy Corporation (the "Company" or the "Registrant") are included in Part A of this Registration Statement:

 
    
    
   PAGE
    Balance Sheet   F-2
    Statement of Operations   F-3
    Statement of Changes in Net Assets   F-4

        (2) Exhibits

Exhibit No.
   Description
(a)(1)   Articles of Incorporation**
(a)(2)   Articles of Amendment and Restatement***
(b)(1)   Bylaws***
(b)(2)   Amended and Restated Bylaws***
(c)   Not Applicable
(d)   Form of Stock Certificate***
(e)   Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan***
(f)   Not Applicable
(g)   Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and Prospect Capital Management, LLC***
(h)   Form of Underwriting Agreement****
(i)   Not Applicable
(j)   Form of Custodian Agreement****
(k)(1)   Form of Administration Agreement between Registrant and Prospect Administration, LLC***
(k)(2)   Form of Transfer Agency and Registrar Services Agreement****
(k)(3)   Form of Trademark License Agreement between the Registrant and Prospect Capital Management***
(l)   Opinion and Consent of Venable LLP, special Maryland counsel for Registrant****
(m)   Not Applicable
(n)   Consent of independent registered public accounting firm for Registrant*
(o)   Not Applicable
(p)   Not Applicable
(q)   Not Applicable
(r)   Code of Ethics***
*
Filed herein.

**
Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant's Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-2, filed on April 16, 2004.

***
Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant's Pre-effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-2, filed on July 6, 2004.

C-1

****
Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit number to the Registrant's Pre-effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-2, filed on July 23, 2004.

ITEM 25.    MARKETING ARRANGEMENTS

        The information contained under the heading "Underwriting" on this Registration Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 26.    OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

Commission registration fee   $ 26,227  
Nasdaq National Market Listing Fee   $ 100,000  
NASD filing fee   $ 21,200  
Accounting fees and expenses   $ 55,000 (1)
Legal fees and expenses   $ 503,573 (1)
Printing and engraving   $ 200,000 (1)
Financial advisory fee   $ 262,500 (1)
Miscellaneous fees and expenses   $ 100,000 (1)
Total   $ 1,268,500 (1)
(1)
These amounts are estimates.

All of the expenses set forth above shall be borne by the Company.

ITEM 27.    PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL

        Immediately prior to this offering, Prospect Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, will own shares of the Registrant, representing 100% of the common stock outstanding. Following the completion of this offering, Prospect Capital Management's share ownership is expected to represent less than 1% of our common stock outstanding. Without conceding that Prospect Capital Management controls the Registrant, an affiliate of Prospect Capital Management may be deemed to control the following entities:

Name
   Jurisdiction of Organization
Prospect Street Ventures I, LLC   Delaware
Prospect Street Co-Investment, LLC   Delaware
Prospect Street Connecticut Capital, Inc.   Delaware
Prospect Street Broadband LLC   Delaware
Prospect Street Energy LLC   Delaware
Prospect Administration LLC   Delaware

ITEM 28.    NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

        The following table sets forth the approximate number of record holders of our common stock at June 24, 2004.

Title of Class
   Number of
Record Holders
Common stock, $0.001 par value   1

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ITEM 29.    INDEMNIFICATION

        Maryland law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our charter contains such a provision which eliminates directors' and officers' liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.

        Our charter authorizes us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to obligate ourselves to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Our bylaws obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify any present or former director or officer or any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner or trustee and who is made, or threatened to be made, a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in any such capacity from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in any such capacity and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. The charter and bylaws also permit us to indemnify and advance expenses to any person who served a predecessor of us in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of our predecessor. In accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person's willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

        Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made, or threatened to be made, a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received, unless in either case a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation's receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

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        The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Prospect Capital Management, LLC (the "Adviser") and its officers, managers, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from the Company for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of the Adviser's services under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of the Company.

        The Administration Agreement provides that, absent willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of the reckless disregard of its duties and obligations, Prospect Administration, LLC and its officers, manager, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with it are entitled to indemnification from the Company for any damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and amounts reasonably paid in settlement) arising from the rendering of Prospect Administration, LLC's services under the Administration Agreement or otherwise as administrator for the Company.

        The Underwriting Agreement provides that each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company, its directors and officers, and any person who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and the successors and assigns of all of the foregoing persons, from and against any loss, damage, expense, liability or claim (including the reasonable cost of investigation) which, jointly or severally the Company or any such person may incur under the Act, the Exchange Act, the 1940 Act, the common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, damage, expense, liability or claim arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in and in conformity with information concerning such Underwriter furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Underwriter through the managing Underwriter to the Company expressly for use in this Registration Statement (or in the Registration Statement as amended by any post-effective amendment hereof by the Company) or in the Prospectus contained in this Registration Statement, or arises out of or is based upon any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in connection with such information required to be stated in this Registration Statement or such Prospectus or necessary to make such information not misleading.

        Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Company has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Company of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Company in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Company will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 30.    BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER

        A description of any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which the Adviser, and each managing member, director or executive officer of the Adviser, is or has been during the past two fiscal years, engaged in for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, is set forth in Part A of this Registration Statement in the section entitled "Management." Additional information regarding the Adviser and its officers and

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directors is set forth in its Form ADV, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC File No.801-62969), and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 31.    LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

        All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of:


ITEM 32.    MANAGEMENT SERVICES

        Not Applicable.

ITEM 33.    UNDERTAKINGS

        1. The Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended if (1) subsequent to the effective date of its registration statement, the net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement; or (2) the net asset value increases to an amount greater than the net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

        2. The Registrant undertakes that:

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-2 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, in the State of New York, on the 27th day of July 2004.

    PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION

 
 
By:
 
/s/  JOHN F. BARRY III      
John F. Barry III
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on July 27, 2004. This document may be executed by the signatories hereto on any number of counterparts, all of which constitute one and the same instrument.

Signature
   Title

 
 
 
/s/  JOHN F. BARRY III      
John F. Barry III		   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors (principal executive officer)

/s/  M. GRIER ELIASEK      
M. Grier Eliasek
 
Chief Operating Officer and Director


/s/  MARK N. WITT      
Mark N. Witt

 

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
(principal financial and accounting officer)


*
Michael E. Basham

 

Director


*
Robert A. Davidson

 

Director


*
Walter V. Parker

 

Director

*By:
 
/s/  JOHN F. BARRY III      
John F. Barry III
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors
 
 
 
 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

(n)   Consent of independent registered public accounting firm for Registrant



QuickLinks

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The Offering
RISK FACTORS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
USE OF PROCEEDS
DIVIDENDS
CAPITALIZATION
DISCUSSION OF MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTED OPERATING PLANS
BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
REGULATION
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
UNDERWRITING
LEGAL MATTERS
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION BALANCE SHEET As of June 24, 2004
PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the Period from Inception, April 13, 2004, Through June 24, 2004
PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS For the Period from Inception, April 13, 2004, Through June 24, 2004
PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS June 24, 2004
PART C—OTHER INFORMATION
SIGNATURES