Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: HRZN) and CR Financial Holdings Inc. announced the formation of a joint venture to provide growth capital financing to small- and micro-cap public companies, according to a press release statement.

The companies will make initial capital commitments totaling $100 million. The joint venture plans to leverage its initial capital through warehouse credit facilities and will focus on providing growth capital financing solutions in the $5-25 million range.

Governance will be managed by a four-person board and a four-person investment committee, with equal representation from both companies. Monroe Capital, which has approximately $24 billion in assets under management, will support larger investments through the joint venture.

Horizon brings experience as a provider of growth capital lending solutions, while CR Financial Holdings, through its subsidiary Roth Capital Partners, contributes capital markets expertise and relationships in the public-company sector.

"We are excited to partner with CRFH on this new joint venture, which we believe will provide publicly traded, small- and micro-cap companies a compelling option for growth financing," said Mike Balkin, Chief Executive Officer of Horizon Technology Finance Corporation.

Byron Roth, Chairman of CR Financial Holdings, stated: "Our new joint venture with Horizon provides us an excellent opportunity to expand our capabilities and offer additional capital solutions to publicly traded companies."

Horizon Technology Finance, headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, provides secured loans to venture capital and private equity-backed companies and publicly traded companies in technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and sustainability industries.

CR Financial Holdings is the majority owner of Roth Capital Partners, a relationship-driven investment bank that serves growth companies and their investors.