Edgar Filing: Mill City Ventures III, Ltd

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______________________ to ______________________

Commission File Number 814-00991

MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota	90-0316651
(State of incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

328 Barry Ave. S. #210 Wayzata, Minnesota	55391
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (952) 479-1923

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on which Registered

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common stock, $0.001 par value per share

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

Large accelerated filer ¨

Accelerated filer ¨

Non-accelerated filer ¨

Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ¨ Yes x No

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by persons other than officers, directors and more than 5% shareholders of the registrant as of December 31, 2014 was approximately $2,605,358 based on the closing sales price of $1.00 per share as reported on the OTCBB. As of March 31, 2015, there were 12,151,493 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED IN PART BY REFERENCE

None.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.
Form 10-K
Table of Contents

		Page

PART I
Item 1.	Business	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	9
Item 2.	Properties	16
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	16

PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	17
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	21
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	38
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	38

PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	40
Item 11.	Executive and Director Compensation	42
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters	44
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence	45
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	45

PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	47
	Signatures	49

PART I

ITEM 1

BUSINESS

Overview

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd., formerly known as Poker Magic, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”), is a Minnesota corporation that was incorporated in January 2006. Until December 13, 2012, we were a development-stage company that previously focused on promoting and placing our Winner’s Pot Poker game online and into casinos and entertainment facilities nationwide, including those located in Native American tribal lands. On December 13, 2012, we filed a Form N-8A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), notifying the SEC of our intent to register as an internally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). On February 7, 2013, we filed Form N54A, Notification of Election to be Subject to Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. We are regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) and intend to be taxed as a regulated investment company.

Business Model and Strategy

As a BDC, we primarily focus on investing in or lending to private and small-capitalization public companies and making managerial assistance available to such companies. A BDC generally provides shareholders with the ability to retain the liquidity of a publicly traded stock, while sharing in the possible benefits of investing in emerging-growth or expansion-stage companies that are privately or publicly owned.

Our revenues relate to the earnings we receive from our portfolio investments. Our objective is to obtain superior returns from investments in securities and other investment opportunities available to BDCs under the 1940 Act. We intend to invest capital in portfolio companies for purposes of financing acquisitions, organic growth, recapitalizations, buyouts and working capital. In this regard, buyouts generally include transactions that involve the acquisition of a controlling interest in an entity, either by management or other investors. Organic growth refers to growth through the internal operations of the company, whether through investments in marketing initiatives, capital expenditures or other internal growth initiatives, rather than growth by means of acquisitions.

We plan to identify potential investments through multiple sources, including without limitation private equity sponsors, investment bankers, brokers and owners and operators of businesses. We expect to base our investment decisions on our analyses of actual and potential business operations, asset valuations and viable exit strategies to establish appropriate pricing and maximize our return on investment. Subject to regulations set forth in the 1940 Act and applicable to BDCs, we plan to invest in private companies, small-cap public stocks, notes and other forms of debt, investment contracts, and other investments commonly referred to as securities.

Competition

As a BDC, we compete with strategic buyers, private equity funds, subordinated debt funds and other buyers and financing sources, including traditional financial services companies such as finance companies, commercial banks, investment banks and other equity and non-equity based investment funds. Some of our competitors will be substantially larger and have considerably greater financial resources than we do. Competitors may have a lower cost of funds and many have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, certain 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 and build their market shares. Competitive pressures may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, as a result of this competition, we may be unable to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and meet our investment goals.

Competitive Advantages

We believe that we are well positioned to secure appropriate investments in target companies for the following reasons:

Management Expertise. We believe that our management’s strong combination of experience and contacts in the investment sector, including the experience and contacts of non-management members of our Board of Directors, should attract suitable prospective portfolio companies. Since 1994, Douglas M. Polinsky, our Chief Executive Officer, has been the Chief Executive Officer of Great North Capital Consultants, Inc., a financial advisory company that he founded. Great North Capital Consultants advises corporate clients on matters regarding corporate and governance structures, public company acquisitions of private companies and other transaction-related matters, and also makes direct investments into public and private companies. Our Chief Financial Officer, Joseph A. Geraci, II, has been managing member of Isles Capital, LLC, an advisory and consulting firm that assists small businesses, both public and private, in business development. Mr. Geraci also managed Mill City Advisors, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company that formerly served as the general partner of Mill City Ventures II, LP, a Minnesota limited partnership investment fund that previously invested directly into both private and public companies. Mr. Geraci previously served as a stockbroker and Vice President of Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc. from June 2000 to December 2004. While at Oak Ridge Financial Services, Mr. Geraci’s business was focused on structuring and negotiating debt and equity private placements with both private and publicly held companies. We believe that our management team’s extensive experience in researching, analyzing, advising and investing in private and publicly held companies will afford us a relative competitive advantage in structuring investments in potential portfolio companies. See “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” for a more detailed description of our management team. Although we believe our management provides valuable investment experience to the Company, none of our management team has been involved in the operation of a company subject to the BDC requirements and regulations set forth in the 1940 Act. Please see, however, “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — We recently changed our business, and our management team has no experience managing a BDC” for more information.

Flexible Investment Options. We will have significant relative flexibility in selecting and structuring our investments. We will not be subject to many of the regulatory limitations that govern traditional lending institutions. Also, we will have fairly broad latitude as to the term and nature of our investments. We intend to calculate rates of return on invested capital based on a combination of up-front commitment fees, current and deferred interest rates and residual values, which may take the form of common stock, warrants or future contract payments. We believe that this flexible approach to structuring investments will facilitate positive, long-term relationships with our portfolio companies and enable us to become a preferred source of capital to them after our initial investments.

Longer Investment Horizons. We will not be subject to periodic capital-return requirements that are typical for most private equity and venture capital funds. These requirements typically require that such funds return to investors the initial capital investment after a certain period of time, together with any capital gains on such capital investment. These provisions often force such funds to seek the return of their investments in portfolio companies through mergers, public equity offerings or other liquidity events more quickly than they otherwise might, which can result in a lower overall return to investors and adversely affect the ultimate viability of the affected portfolio companies. Because we may invest in the same portfolio companies as these funds, we are subject to these risks if these funds demand an early return on their investments in the portfolio companies. We believe that our flexibility to take a longer-term view should help us to maximize returns on our invested capital while still meeting the needs of our portfolio companies.

Investing Across Industries. We expect to seek to obtain and maintain a portfolio of investments that is appropriately balanced among various companies, industries, geographic regions and end markets. We believe that maintaining a balanced portfolio will mitigate the potential effects of negative economic events for particular companies, regions and industries.

Investment Process

Prospective Portfolio Company Characteristics

We have identified several criteria that we believe will prove important in achieving our investment objectives with respect to target portfolio companies. These criteria will provide general guidelines for our investment decisions. Nevertheless, not all of these criteria will be met by each prospective portfolio company in which we choose to invest.

Experienced Management. We will seek portfolio companies that have an experienced and knowledgeable management team or Board of Directors. We will also seek portfolio companies that have in place proper incentives to induce management to succeed and to act in concert with our interests as investors, including having significant equity interests.

Existing Significant Financial or Strategic Sponsor. We may invest in target companies in which established private equity or venture capital funds or other financial or strategic sponsors have previously invested and make an ongoing contribution to the management of the business. We believe that having an established financial or strategic sponsor that has a meaningful commitment to the business diversifies the capital sources of the target portfolio company, making it more likely to succeed in the longer term.

Competitive Position. We will seek to invest in portfolio companies that have developed, or appear poised to develop, a strong competitive position within their respective sector or niche.

Cash Flow Companies. We will seek to invest in portfolio companies that are profitable or nearly profitable on an operating cash flow basis. We may, however, invest in start-up companies without any revenues.

Future Growth. We will seek out target portfolio companies that demonstrate an ability to increase revenues in addition to operating cash flow over time. The anticipated growth rate of a prospective target company will be an important factor in determining the value that we ascribe to any warrants or other equity securities that we may acquire in connection with an investment.

Exit Strategy. Prior to making an investment, we will analyze the potential for that company to increase the liquidity of its equity securities through a future event that would enable us to realize appreciation, if any, in the value of our equity interest. Liquidity events may include an initial public offering, a private sale of our equity interest to a third party, a merger or an acquisition of the company or a purchase of our equity interest by the company or one of its shareholders.

Asset Liquidation Value. Although we do not intend to operate as an asset-based lender, the prospective liquidation value of the assets, if any, collateralizing any debt securities we hold will be an important factor in our credit analysis of potential portfolio companies. In assessing creditworthiness and asset liquidation value, we expect to consider both tangible assets (such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment) and intangible assets (such as intellectual property, customer lists, networks and databases).

Due Diligence

If we believe a target portfolio company generally meets the characteristics described above or if we believe that certain of the most important characteristics for that particular target portfolio company or the industry in which it operates are met, or if we have other reasons to believe in the potential profitability of an investment in a target portfolio company, we may perform initial due diligence on such company. Our due-diligence examination for each target portfolio company will differ based on a number of factors but is generally likely to include our:

assessment of the market in which the company operates, including any special risks (regulatory or otherwise) that apply,

assessment of the competitive landscape in that market,

familiarity with or evaluation of management,

review and assessment of the company’s financing history, as well as the likely need for additional financings,

risk analysis relating to the terms of the investment and the transaction size, and

assessment of the investment pricing and structure.

The assessments delineated above provide our general approach for our investment decisions, although not all of such activities will be followed in each instance, or some may be stressed moreso than others depending on facts and circumstances. Upon successful completion of this preliminary evaluation, we will decide whether to move forward towards negotiating a letter of intent and, thereafter, definitive documentation for our investment. Depending on timing, we may not use a letter of intent and will instead proceed directly to definitive documentation.

Types of Investments

We expect to engage in various investment strategies in order to achieve our overall investment objectives. The particular type of investment strategy we select will depend, among other things, upon market opportunities, the skills and experience of our management and Board of Directors and our overall portfolio composition. Our strategies generally seek to provide (i) in the case of debt, current cash yields and favorable loan-to-value ratios, or other financial guarantees or credit enhancements with respect to loan collateral, and (ii) in the case of equity, favorable long-term growth and income potential together with viable exit or liquidity strategies.

Debt Investments

We intend to tailor the terms of each debt investment we make to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that seeks to protect our rights and manage our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan. Our expected primary source of return on debt investments is the monthly cash interest we collect on those investments. The particular types of debt investments we may make include, but are not limited to, the following:

First lien loans

Second lien loans

Unsecured loans

Equity Investments

Like debt investments, we intend to tailor the terms of each equity investment we make to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and prospective portfolio company, negotiating a structure that seeks to protect our rights and manage our risk while creating incentives for the portfolio company to achieve its business plan. As an equity holder, the rights we will generally seek to protect or obtain include minority rights, event-driven rights to “put” or sell our equity back to the portfolio company or certain affiliates or sponsors, and registration rights in connection such as “demand” or “piggyback” registration rights.. We may invest in common stock and preferred stock, and may receive warrants in connection with our investments. When we make a debt investment, we may also be granted equity participation in the form of warrants to purchase common equity in the company in the same class of security that the owners or equity sponsors receive upon funding.

Ongoing Relationships with Portfolio Companies

Monitoring

We will monitor our portfolio companies in order to determine whether they are meeting our financing criteria and their respective business plans. We may decline to make additional investments in portfolio companies that do not continue to meet our financing criteria or that fail to successfully execute their business plans. Of course, we may choose to make additional investments in portfolio companies that do not do so, but that we believe will nevertheless perform well in the future.

We expect to monitor the financial trends of each portfolio company and their respective industries to assess the appropriate course of action for each company and to evaluate our overall portfolio quality. In this regard, our management team will monitor the status and performance of each individual company on at least a quarterly and, in some cases, a monthly basis.

We have several methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance and fair value of our debt and equity positions, including but not limited to the following:

Consider the amortized value of our debt securities;

Assess the business development success, including product development, financings, profitability and the portfolio company’s overall adherence to its business plan;

Contact portfolio company management regularly to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments;

Interview portfolio company management regularly and, if appropriate, other financial or strategic sponsors of that portfolio company;

Attend and participate in board meetings of portfolio companies; and

Review monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections of our portfolio companies.

We expect that the current financial statements of all portfolio companies will be available to us to assist us in our fair value reporting obligations under the 1940 Act.

Managerial Assistance

As a BDC, we offer, and in many cases may provide, significant managerial assistance to those of our portfolio companies intended to qualify as “eligible portfolio companies” under the 1940 Act. We expect that this assistance, if any, will typically involve monitoring the operations of our portfolio companies, participating in their board and management meetings, consulting with and advising their officers and providing other organizational, financial, strategic and transactional guidance.

Our 2014 Portfolio

At December 31, 2014, we held investments in eleven eligible portfolio investments, which had an aggregate amortized cost of $4,946,019 and a fair value of $6,265,399 and our non-eligible portfolio holdings had an aggregate cost of $851,499 and a fair market value of $906,110. At December 31, 2013, we held five eligible portfolio investments, which had an aggregate amortized cost of $2,246,019 and a fair value of $2,767,319. Our eligible portfolio investments at December 31, 2014 were as follows:

600,000 shares of common stock of Southern Plains Resources, Inc. Our aggregate cost for this holding at December 31, 2014 was $730,000, and the fair value was $300,000.

Warrants to purchase 413,934 shares of common stock of CombiMatrix Corporation. Our aggregate cost and fair value for these holdings at December 31, 2014 was $0.

300,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of MAX4G, Inc. At December 31, 2014, our cost and fair value for this holding was $150,000.

55,000 Class A Membership Units of Tzfat Spirits of Israel, LLC. At December 31, 2014, our cost for this holding was $101,019 and our fair value was $25,000.

a $750,000 in principal amount of promissory note issued by Insite Software Solutions, Inc. and a warrant to purchase 108,960 shares of common stock of Insite Software Solutions. At December 31, 2014, our aggregate cost and fair value for this holding was $750,000.

50,000 shares of common stock of Bio Life Solutions, Inc. and a warrant to purchase 100,000 shares of common stock of Bio Life Solutions, Inc. At December 31, 2014, our aggregate cost for this holding was $215,000 and our fair value was $82,000.

a $500,000 in principal amount of a Senior Secured Convertible promissory note issued by Mix 1 Life, Inc. (convertible at $1.08 per share) and 352,230 shares of common stock of Mix Life, Inc. At December 31, 2014, our aggregate cost for this holding was $500,000 and our fair value was $2,458,399.

A $1,000,000 limited liability membership interest issued by DBR Phase III US Investors, LLC. At December 31, 2014, our aggregate cost and fair value for this holding was $1,000,000.

500 shares of Series A 6% Convertible Preferred Stock of Dala Petroleum, Inc. and a warrant to purchase 714,286 shares of common stock of Dala Petroleum, Inc. At December 31, 2014, our aggregate cost and fair value for this holding was $500,000.

500,000 Membership Units of Northern Capital Partners I, LP. At December 31, 2014, our aggregate cost and fair value for this holding was $500,000.

a $500,000 in principal amount of promissory note issued by The Igloo, LLC. At December 31, 2014, our aggregate cost and fair value for this holding was $500,000.

BDC Regulation

The following discussion is a general summary of some of the material prohibitions and restrictions governing BDCs generally. It does not purport to be a complete description of all the laws and regulations affecting BDCs.

The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to transactions between BDCs and their directors and officers and principal underwriters and certain other related persons, 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 BDC unless approved by a majority of our outstanding voting securities. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of (i) 67% or more of such company’s shares present at a meeting or represented by proxy if more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such company.

Qualifying Assets

Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any asset other than “qualifying assets” listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the BDC’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are the following:

Securities of an “eligible portfolio company” purchased from the issuer of such securities or from a person who is, or who was within the prior 13 months of the date of purchase, an affiliate of the issuer or from any other person (subject to limitation by SEC rules), in any case in transactions not involving any public offering. The 1940 Act defines an “eligible portfolio company” as any issuer which:

(a)

is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;

(b)

is not an investment company or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and

(c)

satisfies one of the following:

(i)

does not have outstanding any class of securities with respect to which a broker or dealer may extend margin credit (or, if a broker or dealer may in fact extend or maintain margin credit to a customer with respect to such securities, then at the time of purchase of the issuer’s securities (A) the BDC owns at least 50% of the greatest number of outstanding and issuable equity securities of such issuer (i.e., 50% determined on a fully diluted basis) and the greatest amount of debt securities of such issuer), (B) the BDC is one of the 20 largest holders of record of the issuer’s outstanding voting securities);

(ii)

is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies acting together that includes a BDC, the BDC does in fact exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of the issuer, and, as a result of such control, the BDC has an affiliated person serving as a director of the eligible portfolio company;

(iii)

is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million, subject to adjustment by SEC rules;

(iv)

by virtue of SEC Rule 2a-46, (A) does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange, or (B) has a class of securities listed on a national securities exchange but an aggregate market value (as computed under such rule) of outstanding voting and non-voting common equity of less than $250 million.

Securities of any eligible portfolio company (as defined above) that we control through having a person serving on the board of directors of the issuer;

Securities purchased from an issuer, or from a person who is, or was in the prior 13 months of the date of purchase, an affiliate of the issuer, which issuer is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States and is not an investment company (or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act), and which is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization (or where the issuance of securities is consummated pursuant to or in consummation of a bankruptcy or reorganization plan or arrangement);

Securities of an eligible portfolio company (as defined above) purchase from any person in a transaction not involving a public offering, if there is no ready market for such securities and if immediately prior to such purchase the BDC owns at least 60% of the outstanding equity securities of such issuer, as determined on a fully diluted basis;

Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described above, or pursuant to the conversion of warrants or rights relating to such securities;

Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment; and

Office furniture and equipment, interests in real estate and leasehold improvement and facilities maintained to conduct the business operations of the BDC, deferred organization and operating expenses, and other non-investment assets necessary and appropriate to its operations as a BDC, including notes of indebtedness of directors, officers, employees and general partners held by the BDC as payment for securities of such company issued in connection with an executive compensation plan described in Section 57(j) of the 1940 Act.

Significant Managerial Assistance

A BDC 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 above. However, to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the foregoing 70% test, the BDC must either control the issuer of the securities or 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 BDC 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 BDC, whether through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does in fact so provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company through monitoring of portfolio company operations, selective participation in board and management meetings, consulting with and advising a portfolio company’s officers or other organizational or financial guidance.

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 at least 70% of our assets are qualifying assets. We plan to 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 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 imposed on us by the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) to qualify for tax treatment as a Regulated Investment Company (“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. We will monitor the creditworthiness of the counterparties with which we enter into repurchase agreement transactions.

Senior Securities; Coverage Ratio

We will be permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of stock senior to our common stock, but only 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 not make any dividend distribution to our shareholders or repurchase securities unless we meet the applicable asset-coverage ratios at the time of the dividend distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes.

Other

We will be periodically examined by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and good governance practices. We will not “concentrate” our investments (i.e., invest 25% or more of our assets in any particular industry, determined at the time of investment). We will be required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from indemnifying any director or officer against any liability to our shareholders arising from willful malfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office. We are required to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation of the federal securities laws, review these policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

We plan to adopt a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) that provides for reinvestment of our distributions on behalf of our shareholders, unless a shareholder elects to receive cash as provided below. For some time, we have been negotiating the final fee structure of our proposed DRIP with our transfer agent and, upon the conclusion of this process, we expect that the DRIP will be adopted and effected so long as we obtain the pricing structure we seek. As a result, if our Board of Directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend, then our shareholders who have not “opted out” of our DRIP will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends.

If and when adopted, no action will be required on the part of a registered shareholder to have their cash dividend reinvested in shares of our common stock. A registered shareholder will be able to 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 shareholders. The plan administrator will set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each shareholder who has not elected to receive dividends in cash and hold such shares in non-certificated form. Upon request by a shareholder participating in the DRIP, received in writing not less than ten days prior to the record date, 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.

Those shareholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary will be able to 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 shareholder will be determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the dividend payable to such shareholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on the over-the-counter bulletin board on the dividend payment date. Market price per share on that date will be the closing price for such shares on the over-the-counter bulletin board 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 will not be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our shareholders are tabulated.

There will be no brokerage charges or other charges to shareholders who participate in the DRIP. We expect that we will pay the plan administrator’s fees under the DRIP. 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 will be authorized to deduct a transaction fee plus a brokerage commission from the proceeds.

Participants will be able to terminate their accounts under the plan by notifying the plan administrator. We will also be able to terminate the plan upon notice in writing mailed to each participant at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any dividend. Notwithstanding the above, we are presently uncertain about exactly when we will be in a position to adopt and effect the DRIP, if ever.

Management

Currently, Mr. Douglas M. Polinsky, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors, and Joseph A. Geraci, II, our Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company, both serve as our senior management team. Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our senior management team’s ability to identify, evaluate, finance and invest in suitable companies that meet our investment goals. Accomplishing this result in a cost-effective manner will largely be a function of our management of the due-diligence and investment process, our ability to efficiently monitor investments we make and, in some cases, our access to financing sources on acceptable terms.

ITEM 1A

RISK FACTORS

You should consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information presented or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in evaluating our business and any investment decision relating to our securities.

Risks Related to our Business

We changed our business to a BDC, and our management team has no experience managing a BDC.

On December 13, 2012, we changed our business to become an internally managed, closed-end investment company and subsequently elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We have limited experience in this regard, which may affect our ability to successfully manage and grow our business.

The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets in specified types of securities, primarily in private companies or small-cap 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 management team’s lack of experience in managing a portfolio of assets under such regulatory constraints may hinder our ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and, as a result, achieve our investment objective. Furthermore, our failure to comply with the complex BDC requirements could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us, expose us to private claims and/or cause us to lose our status as a BDC.

We intend to obtain and maintain tax treatment as a RIC under the Code. To maintain that status, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of our net ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses. Failure to meet these requirements would subject us to excise taxes, which would reduce your return on investment.

We are dependent upon senior management personnel for our future success. If we are unable to retain our senior management team, our ability to achieve our investment objectives could be significantly harmed.

We expect to critically depend on our senior management, particularly our Chief Executive Officer, Douglas M. Polinsky, and our Chief Financial Officer, Joseph A. Geraci, II, for the identification, final selection, structuring, closing and monitoring of our investments. These employees have critical experience and relationships that we intend to rely on in the course of implementing our business plan. Thus, our future success and viability as a BDC will depend on the continued service of these persons. Their departure could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.

In the near term, we expect a pending compliance inspection by the SEC’s Office of Compliance and Inspections to result in the conclusion that, shortly after our election to become a BDC, we failed to sufficiently comply with certain operational and governance-related requirements applicable to BDCs under the 1940 Act. Despite the fact that we cooperated with the compliance inspection and quickly undertook, and continue to undertake and implement, remedial measures to redress our known compliance deficiencies, this conclusion may result in enforcement proceedings against the Company, and we may be required to pay a fine.

We are the subject of an ongoing compliance inspection by the SEC’s Office of Compliance and Inspections originally initiated after we elected in February 2013 to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We fully cooperated with the requests of the Office of Compliance and Inspections. Importantly, we have taken many measures to address our known compliance deficiencies since the beginning of the inspection, including the adoption of written valuation policies and procedures, the establishment of a Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors, the adoption of a written Affiliate Transaction Policy and the preparation of written procedures for the implementation of that policy, the adoption of a written Board Meeting Policy, the adoption of a written Conflict of Interest and Related Party Transaction Policy, the retention of a Chief Compliance Officer who is not a member of management, the preparation of written procedures for the implementation of the earlier-adopted Code of Ethics (the text of which we believe was and remains consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act), and the preparation of a compliance calendar to facilitate the implementation of the various new compliance procedures by our Chief Compliance Officer, our Board of Directors and the professionals retained to assist their compliance efforts. Despite these remedial actions, it is possible that the Office of Compliance and Inspections may refer some or all of our compliance deficiencies to the SEC’s Enforcement Division for enforcement proceedings. If this were to occur, we can reasonably expect to stipulate to a cease-and-desist order and we may also be required to pay a fine, which could be significant.

We will operate in a highly competitive market for portfolio investment opportunities.

We expect that many entities will compete with us to make the types of investments we plan to make in prospective portfolio companies. We will compete with private equity firms as well as other BDCs, investment funds, investment banks and other sources of financing, including traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and finance companies. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources not available to us. These resources may enable our competitors to offer terms that we cannot match. We may lose prospective portfolio investments if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If, on the other hand, we do match our competitors’ pricing, terms or structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit losses. 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, establish more relationships and build their market shares. Importantly, many of our potential competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act does impose on us as a BDC. If we are not able to compete effectively, our business and financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

We may be unable to make distributions, which failure could materially and adversely affect your investment.

Although we intend to make periodic distributions to our shareholders, we may be unable to achieve operating results that will allow us to make such distributions. For example, the BDC asset-coverage requirements may limit our ability to make distributions. In addition, restrictions and provisions in any future credit facilities may limit our ability to make distributions. Although we intend to elect RIC taxation under the Code, if we fail to meet certain annual income-distribution requirements, we could lose our RIC status and be subject to corporate-level income tax. Any failure to make distributions or any loss of our RIC status could materially and adversely affect your investment.

Any unrealized losses we experience may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.

As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments will be recorded as unrealized depreciation on our statement of operations. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us (if a loan), or of its diminishing value (if equity). This could result in future realized losses and, ultimately, in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods.

Many of our portfolio investments will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors. As a result, there may be uncertainty as to the ultimate value of our investments.

Our investments are expected to consist primarily of securities issued by privately held companies, the fair value of which is not readily determinable. In addition, we will not be permitted to maintain a general reserve for anticipated loan losses. Instead, we will be required by the 1940 Act to specifically value each investment and record an unrealized gain or loss for any asset that we believe has increased or decreased in value. Our Board of Directors will value these securities at fair value as they determine in good faith and consistent with the written policies and procedures that we have adopted for this purpose. Where appropriate, our board may utilize the services of an independent valuation firm to assist in the determination of fair value. Because valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments, are inherently uncertain and may be based on estimates, our fair value determinations may differ materially from those that would be assessed if a liquid market for these securities existed. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if the fair value determinations of our investments were materially higher than the values we ultimately realize from them.

If we are unable to source investments effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objectives.

Our ability to achieve our investment objective will depend on our senior management team’s ability to identify, evaluate, finance and invest in suitable companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result in a cost-effective manner will largely be a function of our management of the investment process, our ability to provide efficient services and our access to financing sources on acceptable terms. In addition to monitoring the performance of our investments, our management team must offer managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them, slowing the rate of overall investment. To grow, we expect that we will need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees and to implement computer and other systems capable of effectively accommodating our growth. Our failure to effectively manage our future growth could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We will be exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial and negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. A reduction in interest spreads on new investments could also have an adverse impact on our net interest income. An increase in interest rates could decrease the value of any investments we hold which earn fixed interest rates. Also, an increase in interest rates could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are unable to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock.

We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.

Once we become a BDC subject to RIC taxation, we may be required to include in our taxable income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash. Any of these amounts will increase the amounts we are required to distribute to qualify under the RIC rules. In any such event, we would need to obtain cash from other sources to satisfy our RIC-related distribution requirements. If we are unable to so obtain cash, we may fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, and thus could become subject to a corporate-level income tax on all of our income. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our assets, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements and avoid a corporate-level income tax.

If we incur additional debt, it could increase the risk of investing in our Company.

We expect, in the future, that we may borrow from, and issue senior debt securities to, banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Lenders will have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our shareholders, and we may grant a security interest in our assets in connection with our borrowings. In the case of a liquidation event, those lenders would receive proceeds before our shareholders. In addition, borrowings generally magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in our securities. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to increase more than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to decline more than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any increase in our revenue in excess of interest expense on our borrowed funds would cause our net income to increase more than it would without the leverage; and any decrease in our revenue would cause our net income to decline more than it would have had we not borrowed funds, and could negatively affect our ability to make distributions on our common stock. Our ability to service any debt that we incur will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures.

As a BDC, we will be required to meet an asset-coverage ratio (total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, including any preferred stock) of at least 200%. If this ratio declines below 200%, we will be unable to incur additional debt and may need to sell a portion of our investments to repay debt when it is otherwise disadvantageous to do so, and we may be unable to make distributions.

Because we intend to distribute substantially all of our income and net realized capital gains to our shareholders, we will likely need additional capital to finance our growth.

To qualify for RIC taxation and avoid payment of excise taxes and minimize or avoid payment of income taxes, we intend to distribute to our shareholders substantially all of our net ordinary income and realized net capital gains except for certain net long-term capital gains (which we may retain, pay applicable income taxes with respect thereto, and elect to treat as deemed distributions to our shareholders). As described elsewhere, as a BDC we will be required to meet a 200% asset-coverage ratio limiting the amount that we may borrow. Because we will continue to need capital to grow our investment portfolio, this limitation may require us to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. While we expect to be able to borrow and issue additional debt and equity securities, debt and equity financing may not be available to us on favorable terms, if at all. In addition, as a BDC, we will generally not be permitted to issue equity securities below net asset value without shareholder approval. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities, and our net asset value could decline.

Our Board of Directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval.

Our Board of Directors has the authority from time to time to modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice (except as required by the 1940 Act) and without shareholder approval. Under Section 58 of the 1940 Act, our Board of Directors may not, however, choose to withdraw our status as a BDC, or change its operations so as to cease to be a BDC, without the prior approval of our shareholders. The effects of any such exercise of authority may adversely affect our business and the value of your investment.

Failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could limit our ability to detect and prevent fraud and thereby adversely affect our business and stock price.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. Nevertheless, all internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Our most recent evaluation of our internal controls resulted in our conclusion that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Our inability to maintain an effective control environment may cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our stock price.

We are highly dependent on the services provided by certain executives and key personnel.

Our success depends in significant part upon the continued service of certain senior management and other key personnel. In particular, the Company is materially dependent upon the services of Douglas M. Polinsky, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman and Joseph A. Geraci, II, our Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company. Although we have employment agreements with these individuals, we may nonetheless lose their services if they were to die or become disabled, or if they were to voluntarily terminate their association with our Company. We do not have any key-man insurance in place with respect to Messrs. Geraci and Polinsky.

Our articles of incorporation grant our Board of Directors the power to designate and issue additional shares of common and/or preferred stock.

Our authorized capital consists of 250,000,000 shares of capital stock. Unless otherwise specifically so designated upon issuance, all shares of capital issued we issue will be common stock. Pursuant to authority granted by our articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors, without any action by our shareholders, may designate and issue shares in such classes or series (including other classes or series of preferred stock) as it deems appropriate and establish the rights, preferences and privileges of such shares, including dividends, liquidation and voting rights. The rights of holders of other classes or series of stock that may be issued could be superior to the rights of holders of our common shares. The designation and issuance of shares of capital stock having preferential rights could adversely affect other rights appurtenant to shares of our common stock. Furthermore, any issuances of additional stock (common or preferred) will dilute the percentage of ownership interest of then-current holders of our capital stock and may dilute our book value per share.

Our stock is thinly traded, which may make it difficult to sell shares of our common stock.

Our common stock is thinly traded on the OTC bulletin board and we expect that our common stock will generally remain thinly traded for the foreseeable future. A low trading volume will generally make it difficult for our shareholders to sell their shares as and when they choose. Furthermore, low trading volumes are generally understood to depress market prices. As a result, our shareholders may not always be able to resell shares of our common stock publicly at the time and prices that they feel are fair or appropriate.

Our common stock qualifies as a “penny stock,” which may make it difficult to sell shares of our common stock.

Our common stock is categorized as a “penny stock” subject to the requirements of Rule 15g-9 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Under this rule, broker-dealers who sell penny stocks must provide purchasers of these stocks with a standardized risk-disclosure document prepared by the SEC. Under applicable regulations, our common stock will generally remain a “penny stock” until and for such time as its per-share price is $5.00 or more (as determined in accordance with SEC regulations), or until we meet certain net asset or revenue thresholds. These thresholds include the possession of net tangible assets (i.e., total assets less intangible assets and liabilities) in excess of $2,000,000 in the event we have been operating for at least three years or $5,000,000 in the event we have been operating for fewer than three years, and the recognition of average revenues equal to at least $6,000,000 for each of the last three years. We do not anticipate meeting any of the foregoing thresholds in the foreseeable future.

The penny-stock rules severely limit the liquidity of securities in the secondary market, and many brokers choose not to participate in penny-stock transactions. As a result, there is generally less trading in penny stocks. If you become a holder of our common stock, you may not always be able to resell shares of our common stock in public broker’s transaction, if at all, at the times and prices that you feel are fair or appropriate.

Risks Related to our Investments

Our investments may involve significant risks, which could ultimately materially and adversely affect our results of operation, financial condition and the value of your Shares. You could lose all of your investment.

We expect to invest primarily in senior secured term loans, mezzanine debt and selected equity investments issued by privately held and public “middle-market” companies, and may also use short sales and options in connection with our business.

Senior Secured Loans. When we extend senior secured term loans, we will generally take a security interest in the available assets of these portfolio companies, including the equity interests of their subsidiaries, which we expect to help mitigate the risk of default. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our loans may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the business and market conditions. In some circumstances, our lien could be subordinate to claims of other creditors. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we be forced to enforce our remedies.

Mezzanine Debt. Any mezzanine debt investments will generally be unsecured and subordinated to senior loans. We expect this will result in above-average risk and volatility, which could adversely affect our investment returns. Because mezzanine debt generally does not receive any cash prior to maturity of the debt, the investment will be of greater risk. To the extent interest payments associated with such debt are deferred, such debt will necessarily be subject to greater fluctuations in value based on changes in interest rates, and such debt could subject us to phantom income.

Equity Investments. We expect to make equity investments. In addition, when we invest in senior loans or mezzanine debt, we may acquire warrants in connection with such investments. Our goal is ultimately to dispose of such equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of such interests. Nevertheless, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and may in fact decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.

Short Sales. We may engage in short selling. In certain circumstances, short sales can substantially increase the impact of adverse price movements in our investment positions. A short sale involves the theoretically unlimited increase in the market price of the security and uncertainty as to the availability of such security for purchase—theoretically an unlimited loss.

Options. We may buy or sell (write) both call options and put options, and may do so on a “covered” or an “uncovered” basis. Any options transactions may be part of a hedging tactic (i.e., offsetting the risk involved in another securities position) or as a form of leverage, in which we have the right to benefit from price movements in a large number of securities with a small commitment of capital. These activities involve risks that can be large, depending on the circumstances under which a particular transaction or position is entered into. When we buy an option, a decrease (or inadequate increase) in the price of the underlying security in the case of a call, or an increase (or inadequate decrease) in the price of the underlying security in the case of a put, could result in a total loss of our investment in the option. When we sell (write) an option, the risk can be substantially greater. The seller of an uncovered call option bears the risk of an increase in the market price of the underlying security above the exercise price. This risk is theoretically unlimited unless the option is “covered.” If it is covered, an increase in the market price of the security above the exercise price would cause us to lose the opportunity for gain on the underlying security—assuming it bought the security for less than the exercise price.

Middle-Market Companies. Investments in middle-market companies also involve a number of additional significant risks, including:

typically shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;

material dependence on management talents and efforts of a small group of persons;

less predictable operating results, engaging in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and requiring substantial additional capital;

difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs; and

generally less publicly available information about their operations and financial condition.

The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.

We may invest in private companies and small-cap public companies. These securities may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or otherwise be less liquid than other publicly traded securities. The relative illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. 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 had previously recorded these investments. As a result, we do not expect to achieve near-term liquidity in our investments. Our investments may occasionally be subject to contractual or legal restrictions on resale or will be otherwise illiquid due to the fact that there is no established trading market for such securities, or such trading market is thinly traded. The relative illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to dispose of them at a favorable price, and, as a result, we may suffer losses.

Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.

Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans 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 may also decrease the value of collateral securing 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.

Defaults by our portfolio companies could harm our operating results.

A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other debt holders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its secured assets. Such events could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold and the value of any equity securities we own. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company.

When we are a debt or minority equity investor in a portfolio company, we may not be in a position to control the entity, and its management may make decisions that could decrease the value of our investment.

We anticipate making both debt and minority equity investments in our portfolio companies. Therefore, we will be subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not immediately or ultimately serve our interests and that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings. We will not be in a position to control any portfolio company, and mitigate these risks, by investing in its debt securities or minority equity positions.

The prepayment of our debt investments could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.

We will be subject to the risk that our portfolio investments may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we generally expect to reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt that has been prepaid, and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these prepaid amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the prepaid debt. As a result, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies were to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.

Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with or senior to our investments.

We may invest in debt securities. In some cases, portfolio companies will have other debt ranking equal or senior to the debt securities in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that holders thereof are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before us. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, senior debt holders will typically be entitled to receive full payment before we receive distributions in respect of our investment, if any. In the case of debt ranking equal to our investment, we would have to share distributions on a pro rata basis with other creditors holding such debt upon any insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy.

There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender-liability claims.

Even though we may structure investments as senior loans, if one of our portfolio companies goes bankrupt, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. In addition, lenders such as us can be subject to lender-liability claims when they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over the borrower.

Investments in equity securities involve a substantial degree of risk.

We may purchase common stock and other equity securities. The equity securities we acquire may fail to appreciate and may decline in value or become worthless, and our ability to recover our investment will depend on our portfolio company’s success. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including the risk of dilution as a result of additional issuances. Even investments in preferred securities involve unique risks, such as the risk of deferred distributions, credit risk, illiquidity and limited voting rights.

Risks Related to Our Operation as a BDC

Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates will be restricted.

The 1940 Act prohibits us from participating in certain transactions with certain of our directors, officers and affiliates without the prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. In this regard, any person owning, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include co-investments in a portfolio company, without prior approval of our independent directors and, in some cases, the SEC. In this regard, if a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons absent the prior approval of the SEC. As a result of these restrictions, the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us may be materially limited.

BDC regulations affect our ability to raise additional capital.

We will likely require additional capital. We may acquire additional capital by issuing senior securities or indebtedness, by issuing additional common shares or from securitization transactions. Nonetheless, we may be unable to raise additional capital on favorable terms, if at all. We may issue debt securities or preferred securities, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” and we may borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. Our ability to pay dividends or issue additional senior securities would be restricted if our asset-coverage ratio were not at least 200%. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. In such a case, we may be required to liquidate a portion of our investments and repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous.

Changes in the laws or regulations governing our business, or in the interpretations thereof, and any failure by us to comply with these laws or regulations, could negatively affect the profitability of our operations.

Changes in the laws, regulations or the interpretations thereof that govern BDCs, RICs or non-depository commercial lenders, could significantly affect our operations and our cost of doing business. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations and are subject to judicial and administrative decisions that affect our operations, including our loan originations, maximum interest rates, fees and other charges, disclosures to portfolio companies, the terms of secured transactions, collection and foreclosure procedures and other trade practices. If these laws, regulations or decisions change, or if we expand our business into jurisdictions that have adopted more stringent requirements, we may have to incur significant compliance expenses or we might have to restrict our operations. If we fail to comply with applicable laws, regulations and decisions, we may lose licenses needed for the conduct of our business and be subject to civil fines or criminal penalties, any of which could have a material adverse effect upon our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If our primary investments are not deemed to be qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.

To maintain qualification as a BDC, 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 fail to meet this “qualifying assets test,” we could be forced to dispose of certain investments, be precluded from investing in the manner described in this Form 10K, or lose our status as a BDC, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The disposition of such investments may need to occur 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.

If we are unable to qualify for RIC tax treatment, we will be subject to corporate-level income tax, which will adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Provided we qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we can generally avoid corporate-level federal income taxes on income distributed to our shareholders as dividends. We will not qualify for this pass-through tax treatment, and thus will be subject to corporate-level federal income taxes, if we are unable to comply with the source of income, diversification and distribution requirements contained in the Code, or if we fail to maintain our registration under the 1940 Act. If we fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment, the resulting taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution to shareholders and the actual amount of our distributions. As such, any such failure would have a material adverse effect on us, the net asset value of our common stock and the total return obtainable from your investment in our common stock.

ITEM 2

PROPERTIES

On June 6, 2013, we entered into an agreement to lease approximately 1,917 square feet of commercial space and two parking spots, for a period of 62 months. The leased space became available for occupancy on September 23, 2013. The 62-month lease term began on October 1, 2013 and runs through November 30, 2018. The total base rent expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 was $11,345 and $43,212, respectively.

The following is a schedule of the required annual minimum lease payments.

Year	Amount
2015	$	44,171
2016		46,179
2017		50,311
2018		46,988
TOTAL	$	187,649

ITEM 3

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

PART II

ITEM 5

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock is listed for trading on the over-the-counter bulletin board. Until January 18, 2013, we traded under the symbol “POKR.OB.” Effective January 22, 2013, our trading symbol changed to “MCVT.” The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Pacific Stock Transfer Company, 4045 South Spencer Street, Suite 403, Las Vegas, NV 89119. The following table sets forth the high and low bid prices for our common stock as reported by the OTC Bulletin Board in 2014 and 2013. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown, or commission, and may not represent actual transactions. Trading in our common stock during the period represented was sporadic, exemplified by low trading volume and many days during which no trades occurred.

For the Fiscal Year		Market Price (High/Low)		Market Price (High/Low)
		2014		2013
First Quarter	$	1.35 – 0.90	$	0.61 – 2.50
Second Quarter	$	0.90 – 1.15	$	2.50 – 2.00
Third Quarter	$	1.15 – 1.25	$	2.00 – 1.61
Fourth Quarter	$	1.25 – 1.00	$	1.61 – 1.35

Holders

As of the date of this filing, we had approximately 187 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

We have not paid any dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying any such dividends in the near future. We do, however, intend to distribute dividends annually to our shareholders once we made our election to be treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

As of December 31, 2014, we had no outstanding options, warrants or other rights to purchase any equity securities of the Company under any equity compensation plan or “individual compensation arrangement,” as defined in Item 201 of Regulation S-K. Furthermore, as of the date of this filing, we are not a party to any equity compensation plan, nor are we obligated under any “individual compensation arrangement” to issue any options, warrants, rights or other securities. We are not required by applicable state law or the listing standards of any self-regulatory agency (e.g., the OTC Bulletin Board, NASD, AMEX or NYSE) to obtain the approval of our security holders prior to issuing any such compensatory options, warrants or other rights to purchase securities of the Company. Nevertheless, there are restrictions and limitations under the 1940 Act on our ability to grant options and warrants to members of our management and our non-interested, non-employee directors that, in our case, generally prohibit any such grants in the absence of prior SEC approval.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

On March 6, 2013, we closed on a total of $8,850,000 from a private placement of common stock at a per-share price of $1.00 and issued 8,850,000 shares of common stock. On March 20, 2013, we closed on the sale of an additional $1,315,000 of common stock at a per-share price of $1.00, and issued 1,315,000 shares of common stock. We offered and sold the shares in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Sections 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. In this regard, the recipients of the shares were “accredited investors” as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act. In addition, all certificates representing the shares offered and sold contained a restrictive legend indicating that such shares constituted “restricted securities” under the Securities Act of 1933.

ITEM 7

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations set forth below should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements, and notes thereto, filed together with this Form 10-K.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements made in this section of our report are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally relate to and are based upon our current plans, expectations, assumptions and projections about future events. Our management currently believes that the various plans, expectations, and assumptions reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable. Nevertheless, all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and our actual actions or future results may be materially different from the plans, objectives or expectations, or our assumptions and projections underlying our present plans, objectives and expectations, which are expressed in this report. An example of specific factors that might cause our actual results to differ from our current expectations include but are not limited to:

Our lack of a significant prior operating history to provide our management with a basis to better evaluate certain likelihoods

Our likely need for additional financing to prosecute and grow our business

Our inability, for any reason, to retain our executive management personnel

Our lack of experience with the complex rules and regulations applicable to a BDC under the 1940 Act and our ability, while being leanly staffed in order conserve investor resources, to comply with those rules and regulations, and

The outcome of current and future compliance examinations conducted by the SEC’s Office of Compliance and Inspections.

The foregoing list is not exhaustive, and readers are urged to read carefully and consider the risk factors described elsewhere in this report. In light of the foregoing, prospective investors are cautioned that the forward-looking statements included in this filing may ultimately prove to be inaccurate-even materially inaccurate. Because of the significant uncertainties inherent in such forward-looking statements, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation or warranty by the Company or any other person that our objectives, plans, expectations or projections that are contained in this filing will be achieved in any specified time frame, if ever.

Results of Operations

Item	Year Ended December 31, 2014			Year Ended December 31, 2013
Investment Income:
Interest Income	$	239,425		$	11,965
Dividend Income		100,926			23,216

Operating Expenses:
General Operating Expenses		103,441			80,562
Legal and Accounting Expenses		157,274			227,811
Executive Management Compensation		370,976			161,857
Insurance Expense		107,735			104,226
Director’s Fees		60,000			33,400
Net Investment Loss/Net Loss	$	(459,075	)	$	(572,675	)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company received $235,774 in interest payments from four eligible portfolio companies, Insite Software Solutions, Inc., Mix 1 Life, Inc. DBR Phase III US Investors, LLC, and The Igloo, LLC and additional $3,651 bank interest on cash balances as well as $30,574 in dividend payments from one eligible portfolio company, Dala Petroleum, Inc. and $70,352 in non-eligible portfolio company dividends. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company received $9,650 in dividend payments from one eligible portfolio company, CombiMatrix Corporation, and additional $13,466 in non-eligible portfolio company dividends. The Company also received $11,965 in bank interest on cash balances.

As the table above indicates, we incurred selling, general and administrative expenses aggregating $799,426 for the year ended December 31, 2014, and $607,856 for the year ended December 31, 2013. A discussion of the various components of our general and administrative expenses for the periods discussed above is set forth below.

General Operating Expenses. Our general operating expenses, which primarily include rent occupancy expense, and miscellaneous office supply expenses, were $103,441 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our general operating expenses were $80,562 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase is primarily related to the full year of rent expense incurred in 2014 compared to the three months incurred in 2013.

Legal and Accounting Expenses. Our legal and accounting expenses were $157,274 for the year ended December 31, 2014 and $227,811 for the year ended December 31, 2013, The decrease is due to the non-recurring professional fees relating to our conversion to a BDC, including the preparation and filing of various notifications with the SEC, a 1940 Act registration statement on Form N-2 together with an amendment to that registration statement prepared in order to respond to comments received from the SEC, and various other governance- and operations-related legal work relating to our efforts to fully comply with the regulations applicable to BDCs under the 1940 Act which were incurred in 2013.

Executive Management Compensation. For the year ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, executive management compensation aggregated $370,976 and $161,857, respectively, in cash payments. Our compensation expense for our executive management, consultant service compensation, and professional fees expenses increased in 2014 due to officer bonus compensation of $200,000.

For the year ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, our net investment loss was $459,075 and $572,675, respectively. The net investment loss for both years is primarily the result of the increased general and administrative expenses and payroll expense associated with our operations as a BDC, specifically including increased executive management compensation expense, legal and accounting expenses and general operating expenses.

For the year ended December 31, 2014 we had an increase in net assets of $966,462. Our net assets decreased by $206,245 for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Summary cash flow data is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31, 2014			Year Ended December 31, 2013
Cash flows provided (used) by:
Operating activities	$	(2,963,204	)	$	(3,630,724	)
Investing activities		(6,662	)		(47,423	)
Financing activities		(14,602	)		10,164,905
Net increase (decrease) in cash		(2,984,468	)		6,486,758
Cash, beginning of period		7,090,379			603,621
Cash, end of period	$	4,105,911		$	7,090,379

During the year ended December 31, 2013, we sold 10,665,000 shares of our common stock for gross proceeds of $10,665,000.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we repurchased 17,929 shares of our common stock at a gross cost of $14,602.

We are not a party to any credit facilities or other sources of liquidity, and we have no present plans to become party to any credit facility. As a result, our $7,090,379 of cash at the end fiscal 2013 and our $4,105,911 of cash at the end of fiscal 2014 constitutes our sole source of liquidity. Management believes cash on hand is sufficient to fund our anticipated operational and financing activities through fiscal 2015.

Presently, we expect that our $4.1 million in cash as of December 31, 2014, will be substantially all invested within the next 12 months.

Capital Expenditures

We did not have any material commitments for capital expenditures in fiscal 2014 and we do not anticipate any such capital expenditures for fiscal 2015. Given our business model, investment in capital resources is not required beyond investments in certain securities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, nor are we a party to any contract or other obligation not included on its balance sheet that has, or is reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are policies that are both most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results, and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies relate to investment valuation and interest and dividend income as a BDC.

Investment Valuation

Investment transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the repayment or sale and the amortized cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. Unrealized gains or losses primarily reflect the change in investment values, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses when gains or losses are realized.

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at such market quotations. In order to validate market quotations, we look at a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and nature of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee of our Board of Directors, based on, among other things, the input of our executive management, Audit Committee and independent third-party valuation expert that may be engaged by management to assist in the valuation of our portfolio investments. Valuation determinations are in all cases made in conformity with the written valuation policies and procedures respecting the valuation of Company investments.

Interest and Dividend Income Recognition

Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Discounts from and premiums to par value on securities purchased are accreted/amortized into interest income over the life of the respective security using the effective yield method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums, if any.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. We may make exceptions to this if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded as dividend income on an accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.

Use of Estimates

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP. The application of GAAP requires that we make estimates that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results may differ significantly from these estimates.

ITEM 8

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Item	Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statements		22
Balance Sheets — December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013		23
Statements of Operations — Year ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013		24
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) — Years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013		25
Statements of Cash Flows — Year ended December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013		27
Notes to Financial Statements		30

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders, Audit Committee and Board of Directors

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Wayzata, Minnesota

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013 and the financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits 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. The company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of its internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the results of their operations and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 31, 2015

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Balance Sheets

	December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
ASSETS
Investments, at fair value
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments (cost of $5,797,518 and $3,104,426)	$	7,171,509		$	3,342,319
Cash		4,105,911			7,090,379
Prepaid expenses		49,623			54,401
Receivable from sale of investments		82,103			794
Interest and dividends receivable		59,794			3,750
Leasehold improvements, net		31,882			38,157
Property and equipment, net		18,962			18,683
Total Assets	$	11,519,784		$	10,548,483
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	$	36,098		$	18,284
Accrued royalty		—			619
Deferred rent		9,996			7,750
Total Current Liabilities		46,094			26,653
Total Liabilities		46,094			26,653
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock, $.001 par value: Authorized 250,000,000 shares: Issued and outstanding 12,151,493 and 12,169,422 shares.		12,151			12,169
Additional paid-in capital		11,857,660			11,875,571
Accumulated deficit		(1,159,665	)		(1,159,665	)
Accumulated undistributed investment loss		(1,028,423	)		(572,675	)
Accumulated undistributed net realized gains on investment transactions		417,976			128,537
Net unrealized appreciation in value of investments		1,373,991			237,893
Total Shareholders’ Equity		11,473,690			10,521,830
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	11,519,784		$	10,548,483

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Statements of Operations

	Year Ended December 31, 2014			Year Ended December 31, 2013
Investment Income
Interest income	$	239,425		$	11,965
Dividend income		100,926			23,216
Total Investment Income		340,351			35,181
Operating Expenses:
Professional fees		157,274			227,811
Payroll expense		370,976			161,857
Registration statement expense		—			26,805
Insurance expense		107,735			104,226
Occupancy		82,058			39,690
Director’s fees		60,000			33,400
Depreciation and amortization		12,658			2,908
Other general and administrative expenses		8,725			11,159
Total Operating Expenses		799,426			607,856
Net Investment Loss	$	(459,075	)	$	(572,675	)
Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments
Net realized gain on investments	$	289,439		$	128,537
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments	$	1,136,098		$	237,893
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments		1,425,537			366,430
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Asset Value Resulting from Operations	$	966,462		$	(206,245	)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations per share:
Basic and diluted	$	0.08		$	(0.02	)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		12,166,598			10,219,737

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012

	Common Stock
	Shares		Amount		Additional Paid-In Capital		Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Undistributed Investment Loss			Accumulated Undistributed Net Realized Gains on Investment Transactions		Net Unrealized Appreciation in Value of Investments		Total Shareholders’ Equity

Balance as of December 31, 2012		1,504,422	$	1,504	$	1,221,236	$	(1,159,665	)	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	63,075

Issuance of common stock for cash of $1.00 per share on March 6, 2013		9,350,000		9,350		9,340,650		—			—			—		—		9,350,000

Issuance of common stock for cash of $1.00 per share on March 30, 2013		1,315,000		1,315		1,313,685		—			—			—		—		1,315,000

Undistributed investment loss		—		—		—		—			(572,675	)		—		—		(572,675	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

	Common Stock
	Shares			Amount			Additional Paid-In Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Accumulated Undistributed Investment Loss			Accumulated Undistributed Net Realized Gains on Investment Transactions		Net Unrealized Appreciation in Value of Investments		Total Shareholders’ Equity

Undistributed net realized gains on investment transactions		—			—			—			—			—			128,537		—		128,537

Appreciation in value of investments		—			—			—			—			—			—		237,893		237,893

Balance as of December 31, 2013		12,169,422		$	12,169		$	11,875,571		$	(1,159,665	)	$	(572,675	)	$	128,537	$	237,893	$	10,521,830
Repurchase of common stock for cash of $0.83 per share on August 29, 2014		(2,973	)		(3	)		(2,970	)		—			509			—		—		(2464	)

Repurchase of common stock for cash of $0.80 per share on September 3, 2014		(4,510	)		(5	)		(4,505	)		—			890			—		—		(3,620	)

Repurchase of common stock for cash of $0.84 per share on December 19, 2014		(10,446	)		(10	)		(10,436	)		—			1,928			—		—		(8,218	)

Undistributed investment loss		—			—			—			—			(459,075	)		—		—		(459,075	)

Undistributed net realized gains on investment transactions		—			—			—			—			—			289,439		—		289,439

Appreciation in value of investments		—			—			—			—			—			—		1,136,098		1,136,098

Balance as of December 31, 2014		12,151,493		$	12,151		$	11,857,660		$	(1,159,665	)	$	(1,028,423	)	$	417,976	$	1,373,991	$	11,473,690

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31, 2014			Year Ended December 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net increase (decrease) in net asset value resulting from operations	$	966,462		$	(206,245	)
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net asset value resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities:
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments		(1,136,098	)		(237,893	)
Net realized gain on investments		(289,439	)		(128,537	)
Payments for purchases of investments		(3,683,510	)		(3,619,009	)
Proceeds from sales of investments		1,279,857			643,120
Depreciation and amortization		12,658			2,908
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivable from sale on investments		(81,309	)		(794	)
Interest and dividends receivable		(56,044	)		(3,750	)
Prepaid expenses		4,778			(54,401	)
Accounts payable		17,814			(19,203	)
Deferred rent		2,246			7,750
Accrued royalty		(619	)		—
Interest payable		—			(14,670	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(2,963,204	)		(3,630,724	)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(4,866	)		(19,651	)
Purchases of leasehold improvements		(1,796	)		(27,772	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(6,662	)		(47,423	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		—			10,165,000
Payment for repurchase of common stock		(14,602	)		—
Payment on note payable to related party		—			(95	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(14,602	)		10,164,905
Net (decrease) increase in cash		(2,984,468	)		6,486,758
Cash, beginning of the year		7,090,379			603,621
Cash, end of the year	$	4,105,911		$	7,090,379
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Leasehold improvements acquired through accounts payable		—			12,325
Conversion of subscription payable to common stock		—			500,000

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Financial Highlights

	Year Ended December 31, 2014
Per Share Data
Net asset value as of December 31, 2013	$	0.86
Net investment loss		(0.04	)
Net realized and unrealized gains		0.12
Net asset value as of December 31, 2014	$	0.94
Ratio/Supplemental Data
Per share market value as of December 31, 2014	$	0.59
Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014		12,151,493
Average weighted shares outstanding		12,166,608
Net assets as of December 31, 2014	$	11,473,690
Average net assets⁽¹⁾	$	11,416,452
Portfolio turnover rate⁽²⁾		11.21	%
Ratio of operating expenses to average net assets⁽²⁾		(7.00	)%
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets		(4.02	)%
Ratio of realized gains to average net assets		2.54	%

(1)

Based on the monthly average of net assets from December 31, 2013 through December 31, 2014.

(2)

Ratios are annualized.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Schedule of Investments

As of December 31, 2014

The table below presents the balance of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the hierarchy:

As of December 31, 2014
Name of Portfolio Company	Industry	Date of Initial Investment	Investments	Shares		Cost		Fair Value		% of Total Assets			Level

Southern Plains Resources, Inc.*	Oil & Gas	3/14/13	Common Stock		600,000	$	730,000	$	300,000		2.6	%	3
Tzfat Spirits of Israel, LLC*	Consumer Discretionary	10/14/13	Membership Units		55,000		101,019		25,000		0.2	%	3
Max 4G*	Information Technology	6/14/13	Preferred Stock		300,000		150,000		150,000		1.3	%	3
AT&T	Telecommunications	10/25/13	Common Stock		5,000		175,260		167,950		1.4	%	1
BioLife Solutions, Inc.*	Biotechnology	3/21/14	Common Stock		50,000		215,000		82,000		0.7	%	1
BioLife Solutions, Inc.*	Biotechnology	3/21/14	Warrants		100,000		-		-		-		3
Calamos Convertible & High Income Fund	Closed End Fund	11/5/13	Common Stock		10,000		128,357		138,300		1.2	%	1
CenturyLink, Inc	Telecommunications	10/28/13	Common Stock		5,000		157,360		197,900		1.7	%	1
Frontier Communications Corp	Telecommunications	11/20/13	Common Stock		10,000		50,305		66,700		0.6	%	1
Windstream Holdings, Inc	Telecommunications	11/6/13	Common Stock		10,000		86,706		82,400		0.7	%	1
Insite Software Solutions, Inc.*	Business Services	12/30/13	Promissory Note		750,000		750,000		750,000		6.5	%	3
Insite Software Solutions, Inc.*	Business Services	12/30/13	Warrants		108,960		-		-		-		3
Mix 1 Life*	Consumer Discretionary	2/6/14	Promissory Note		500,000		500,000		500,000		4.4	%	3
Mix 1 Life*	Consumer Discretionary	8/7/14	Common Stock		352,230		-		1,958,399		17.1	%	1
DBR Phase III US Investors, LLC*	Leisure & Hospitality	2/7/14	Membership Units		1,000,000		1,000,000		1,000,000		8.7	%	3
CombiMatrix Corporation*	Medical Diagnostic	5/6/13	Warrants⁽¹⁾		413,934		-		-		-		3
Powershares High Dividend Yield Fund	Closed End Fund	5/12/14	Common Stock		10,000		253,510		252,860		2.2	%	1
Dala Petroleum, Inc.*	Oil and Gas	6/3/14	Preferred Stock		500		500,000		500,000		4.4	%	3
Dala Petroleum, Inc.*	Oil and Gas	6/3/14	Warrants		714,286		-		-		-		3
Northern Capital Partners I, LP*	Oil and Gas	6/16/14	Membership Units		500,000		500,000		500,000		4.4	%	3
The Igloo LLC*		12/31/14	Promissory Note		500,000		500,000		500,000		4.4	%	3
TOTAL INVESTMENTS						$	5,797,518	$	7,171,509

___________

(1)

Comprised of 81,967 warrants with an exercise price of $3.77 per share, 81,967 warrants with an exercise price of $3.55 per share and 250,000 warrants with an exercise price of $3.12 per share.

indicates that the portfolio investment is a “qualifying assets” under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Because the Company is a “business development company” under that Act, qualifying assets must represent at least 70% of the Company’s total assets at the time it acquires any non-qualifying assets.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of operations and basis of presentation

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. (the “Company”) is an investment company that was incorporated in the State of Minnesota on January 10, 2006 under the name WPP Acquisition, Inc. The Company’s name was subsequently changed to Poker Magic, Inc. Our business from January 10, 2006 through December 12, 2012 consisted primarily of marketing and licensing a new form of poker-based table game to casinos and on-line gaming facilities in the United States.

On December 13, 2012, we filed a Form N-8A with the SEC, notifying the SEC that we intended to convert the Company to an internally managed, non-diversified, closed-end investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). On February 7, 2013, we filed Form N-54A, notifying the SEC of our election to become a business development company (“BDC”). Subsequently, on May 13, 2013, we filed Form N-8F to deregister as a registered investment company based upon our prior filing to become a BDC. On September 25, 2013, the SEC issued an order under Section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 declaring that the Company has ceased to be an investment company. We are regulated as a BDC and plan to be taxed as a regulated investment company, although we currently have not elected this tax status. As a BDC, we primarily focus on investing in or lending to privately held and publicly traded companies and making managerial assistance available to such companies. A BDC may provide shareholders with the ability to retain the liquidity of a publicly traded stock, while sharing in the possible benefits of investing in emerging-growth or expansion-stage companies. Our future revenues will relate to the earnings we receive from the sale of securities, dividends and interest from our portfolio investments. The Company’s objective is to obtain returns from investments in securities and other investment opportunities available to business development companies under the 1940 Act. We intend to invest capital in portfolio companies for purposes of financing acquisitions, recapitalizations, buyouts, organic growth and working capital. Buyouts generally include transactions that involve the acquisition of a controlling interest in an entity, either by management or other investors. Organic growth refers to growth through the internal operations of the company, through investments in marketing initiatives, capital expenditures or other internal growth initiatives, rather than growth by means of an acquisition. We plan to identify potential investments through multiple sources, including private equity sponsors, investment bankers, brokers, and owners and operators of businesses. We will base our investment decisions on analyses of potential customers’ business operations and asset valuations as well as financing structure, utilizing risk management methods, pricing tools, due diligence methodologies and data management processes designed to help us assess risk, establish appropriate pricing, and maximize our return on investment. Subject to regulations set forth in the 1940 Act and applicable to BDCs, we plan to invest in private companies, small-cap public stocks, notes and other forms of debt, investment contracts, and other investments commonly referred to as securities.

On January 17, 2013, the Company amended and restated its Articles of Incorporation. The amendment and restatement included a change in the Company's name from “Poker Magic, Inc.” to “Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.”

On February 7, 2013, the Company filed Form N-54A, Notification of Election to be Subject to Sections 55 through 65 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 notifying the SEC that we are closed-end company that will be operated for the purpose of making investments primarily in securities described in section 55(a)(1) through (3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and will make available significant managerial assistance with respect to issuers of such securities to the extent required by the Act.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Deposits

The Company maintains its cash balances in financial institutions. Cash on deposit in excess of FDIC coverage is subject to the usual banking risk of funds in excess of those limits.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (continued)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, accounts payable and notes payable approximate fair value due to their relatively short maturities.

In the normal course of business, the Company may utilize derivative financial instruments (principally options) in connection with its trading activities. The Company records its derivative activities at fair value. Gains and losses from derivative financial instruments are included in net gain (loss) on investments in the statement of operations.

Investment Valuation

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at such market quotations. In order to validate market quotations, we look at a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and nature of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board of Directors or the Valuation Committee of the board, based on, among other things, the input of our executive management, audit committee and independent third-party valuation expert that may be engaged by management to assist in the valuation of our portfolio investments, but in all cases consistent with our written valuation policies and procedures.

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 fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, 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 may differ materially from the values that we may ultimately realize. Further, such investments are generally less liquid than publicly traded securities. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded it.

In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the unrealized gains or losses reflected in the valuations currently assigned.

Allocation of Net Gains and Losses

All income, gains, losses, deductions and credits for any investment are allocated in a manner proportionate to the shares owned.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES – (continued)

Realized Gains and Losses, Interest and Dividend Income Recognition

Realized gains or losses on the sale of investments are calculated using the specific investment method.

Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected in full. Currently, our single outstanding loan is current in its interest payments. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. The Company may make exceptions to this if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.

Our investment portfolio investments at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $7,171,509 and $3,342,319, respectively.

Management and Service Fees

The Company does not incur expenses related to management and service fees. Our executive management team manages the Company’s investments as part of their employment responsibilities.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 2 — NET GAIN (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Basic net gain (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net gain (loss) by the weighted average number of vested common shares outstanding during the period. A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share follows:

	Year Ended December 31, 2014		Year Ended December 31, 2013
Numerator: Net Gain (Loss)	$	966,462	$	(206,245	)
Denominator: Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		12,166,608		10,219,737
Basic and diluted net gain (loss) per common share	$	0.08	$	(0.02	)

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have any options or warrants outstanding or any other dilutive common equivalent shares.

NOTE 3—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

On June 6, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to lease approximately 1,917 square feet of commercial space and two parking spots, for a period of 62 months. The leased space became available for occupancy on September 23, 2013. The 62-month lease term began October 1, 2013 and runs through November 30, 2018. The total base rent expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014 was $11,345 and $43,212, respectively.

The following is a schedule of the required annual minimum lease payments.

Year	Amount
2015	$	44,171
2016		46,179
2017		50,311
2018		46,988
TOTAL	$	187,649

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 4—SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common stock

On March 6, 2013, the Company converted a $500,000 subscription payable to 500,000 shares of common stock at $1.00 per share.

On March 6, 2013, the Company raised cash of $8,850,000 at $1.00 per share through the issuance of 8,850,000 shares of common stock.

On March 20, 2013, the Company raised cash of $1,315,000 at $1.00 per share through the issuance of 1,315,000 shares of common stock

On August 29, 2014 we purchased and retired 2,973 shares of common stock at a per-share price of $0.83.

On September 3, 2014, we purchased and retired 4,510 shares of common stock at a per-share price of $0.80.

On December 19, 2014, we purchased and retired 10,446 shares of common stock at a per-share price of $0.84.

At December 31, 2014, a total of 12,151,493 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.

NOTE 5—FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS

Investment Risks

The Company’s investments are subject to a variety of risks. Those risks include the following:

Market Risk

Market risk represents the potential loss that can be caused by a change in the fair value of the instrument.

Credit Risk

Credit risk represents the risk that the Company would incur if the counterparties failed to perform pursuant to the terms of their agreements with the Company.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 5—FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS – (continued)

Fair Value Hierarchy

The fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels is explained below:

Level 1

Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments are not applied to Level 1 securities. Because valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

Level 2

Pricing inputs are other than used in Level 1, which include the closing bid price for unlisted marketable securities, which are available in active or inactive markets for identical investments or liabilities, other direct or indirect observable inputs that can be corroborated by market data or the use of models or other valuation methodologies as of the reporting date.

Level 3

Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

The table below presents the balance of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis by level within the hierarchy:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
AT&T	$	167,950	$	—	$	—	$	167,950
Calamos Convertible & High Income Fund		138,300		—		—		138,300
CenturyLink, Inc.		197,900		—		—		197,900
Frontier Communications Corp.		66,700		—		—		66,700
Windstream Holdings, Inc.		82,400		—		—		82,400
BioLife Solutions, Inc.		82,000		—		—		82,000
Powershares High Yield Dividend Fund		252,860		—		—		252,860
Southern Plains Resources, Inc.		—		—		300,000		300,000
Max 4G		—		—		150,000		150,000
Tzfat Spirits of Israel, LLC		—		—		25,000		25,000
Insite Software Solutions, Inc.		—		—		750,000		750,000
DBR Phase III US Investors, LLC		—		—		1,000,000		1,000,000
Mix 1 Life, Inc. Convertible Note		—		—		500,000		500,000
Mix 1 Life, Inc. Common Stock		1,958,399		—		—		1,958,399
Dala Petroleum (aka Westcott Products Corp)		—		—		500,000		500,000
Northern Capital Partners I, LP		—		—		500,000		500,000
The Igloo, LLC		—		—		500,000		500,000
	$	2,946,509	$	—	$	4,225,000	$	7,171,509

The change in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:

	Fair Value
Fair Value, December 31, 2013	$	1,931,019
Change in unrealized appreciation		(706,019	)
Net realized and unrealized gain		(709,019	)
Purchases of portfolio investments		3,000,000
Fair Value, December 31, 2014	$	4,225,000
Net unrealized gains included in the net increase in net assets resulting from operations relating to assets held at December 31, 2014	$	(706,019	)

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 5—FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS – (continued)

Portfolio Investments

At December 31, 2014, we held investments in eleven eligible portfolio investments, which had an amortized cost of $4,946,019 and a fair value of $6,265,399. At December 31, 2013, we held investments in five eligible portfolio investments, which had an amortized cost of $2,246,019 and a fair value of $2,506,519.

On March 1, 2013, we entered into a subscription agreement with Great Plains Sand, LLC through a private placement of common stock for the purchase of 1 Class A Membership Unit for $105,000. On May 24, 2013, Great Plains Sand, LLC sold its company to Fairmount Minerals, Ltd. for a sale price of $65 million subject to certain adjustments for the final working capital settlement and the retention of a limited amount of the sale consideration to pay certain post-closing expenses. After expenses, we received approximately $182,176 in cash with the potential of an additional $18,750 in escrow to be paid within 60 days of closing and a potential earnout of $18,750 to be paid within one year of closing. On February 25, 2014, $7,500 was received in satisfaction of post-closing payment rights under the acquisition agreement. On August 7, 2014 an additional $28,000 was received and on December 31, 2014 $258 was received in final satisfaction of post-closing payment rights under the acquisition agreement.

On March 6, 2013, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement with Mill City Ventures II, LP, wherein we purchased 400,000 shares of Southern Plains Resources, Inc. common stock from Mill City Ventures II, LP for $420,000. On July 11, 2013, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with Southern Plains Resources, Inc. through a private placement of common stock to purchase an additional 200,000 shares of common stock at $1.55 per share for $310,000. Our cost of the Southern Plains investment at December 31, 2014 was $730,000 and the fair value was $300,000.

On May 3, 2013, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with CombiMatrix Corporation (“CombiMatrix”) to purchase Series C Convertible Preferred Stock and warrants in two separate closings. In the May 6, 2013 closing, we purchased 200 shares of Series C preferred stock convertible into common stock at $2.86 per share and 81,967 warrants with an exercise price of $3.77 per share. In the June 28, 2013 closing, we purchased 200 shares of Series C preferred stock convertible into common stock at $2.86 per share and 81,967 warrants with an exercise price of $3.55 per share. On August 9, 2013, we converted 100 shares of the CombiMatrix 6% Series C shares to 34,994 shares of CombiMatrix common stock at $2.86 per share. An additional 207 shares of common stock were issued in lieu of accrued dividend on the converted principal amount. Our cost for the CombiMatrix investment was $400,600 and the fair value at September 30, 2013 was $400,675. On November 21, 2013, we converted 300 shares of the Combimatrix 6% series C shares to 104,983 shares of CombiMatrix common stock at $2.86 per share. An additional 3,710 shares of common stock were issued in lieu of accrued dividend on the converted principal balance. On December 18, 2013, we purchased 515 Series D Convertible preferred shares of CombiMatrix Corporation for $1,000 per share for a total purchase price of $515,000 with a warrant to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock at $3.12. Each Series D Convertible share is convertible into common stock at $2.06 per share. The warrant has an expiration date of December 18, 2018. On December 19, we converted 515 Series D Convertible preferred shares into 250,000 shares of common stock. During the first quarter ended March 31, 2014, we sold 204,850 shares of the common stock for $615,394, resulting in a realized gain of $193,403. During the third quarter ended September 30, 2014, we sold the remaining 45,150 shares of the common stock for $61,252, resulting in a realized loss of $31,756. At December 31, 2014 the cost and fair value of the warrants was $0.

On May 29, 2013, we entered into a subscription and investment letter with MAX4G, Inc. to purchase 300,000 shares of MAX4G's Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $.001 par value per share, at $0.50 per share, for a total of $150,000. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the MAX4G investment was $150,000.

On October 14, 2013, we entered into subscription agreement with Tzfat Spirits of Israel, LLC, to purchase 55,000 Class A Membership Units at $1.8367 per unit for a total of $101,019. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the Tzfat investment was $101,019 and $25,000, respectively.

On December 30, 2013, we entered into a Promissory Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with Insite Software Solutions, Inc. and in connection therewith purchased a $750,000 promissory note and received a warrant to purchase 108,960 shares of Insite Software common stock at one cent ($0.01) per share. The warrant has a 10-year term expiring December 30, 2023. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the promissory note was $750,000 and the warrant was $0.

Mill City Ventures III, Ltd.

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014 and 2013

NOTE 5—FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS – (continued)

On February 6, 2014, we entered into a Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with Mix 1 Life, Inc. and in connection therewith purchased a $500,000 senior secured convertible promissory note and received a warrant to purchase up to 1,600,000 shares of Mix 1 Life common stock at $0.50 per share. The note currently is convertible into shares of common stock at $1.08 per share (post split). The warrant has a five-year term expiring February 6, 2019. On August 7, 2014 we elected to exercise, on a cashless basis, our warrants into 1,121,912 shares of common stock. On September 11, 2014, a 1-for-3 reverse split on those common shares reduced our holdings to 373,971 common shares. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the promissory note was $500,000 and the cost and fair value of the common stock was $0 and $1,958,399, respectively. Our director Mr. Larson is currently the Chief Financial Officer, director and 5% shareholder of Mix 1 Life, Inc. Mr. Larson was appointed Chief Financial Officer and a director of Mix 1 on June 24, 2014, after our initial investment in Mix 1 Life.

On February 7, 2014, we entered into a Purchase Agreement for $1,000,000 of limited liability company interests with DBR Phase III US Investors, LLC and in connection therewith funded a first capital call of $350,000. A second capital call of $350,000 was funded on May 9, 2014 and the final capital call was funded on October 21, 2014 in the amount of $300,000. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the interests was $1,000,000.

On June 3, 2014, we entered into a subscription and warrant purchase agreement with Dala Petroleum Corporation (aka Westcott Products Corporation) to purchase 500 shares of Series A 6% Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, at $1,000 per share, for a total of $500,000 and received a warrant to purchase up to 714,286 shares of Dala Petroleum common stock at $1.35 per share. The preferred stock converts into common stock at $0.70. The warrant has a three-year term, expiring June 3, 2017. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the preferred stock was $500,000 and the cost and fair value of the warrant was $0.

On May 16, 2014, we entered into a Purchase Agreement for $500,000 of limited partnership interests with Northern Capital Partners I, LP and in connection therewith funded a first capital call of $50,000 on June 16. A second capital call of $125,000 was funded on August 26, 2014, a third capital call of $200,000 was funded on October 21, 2014 and the fourth and final capital call of $125,000 was funded on December 26, 2014. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the interests was $500,000.

On December 31, 2014, we entered into a Promissory Note Agreement for $500,000 with The Igloo, LLC and in connection therewith funded a $500,000 promissory note. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the note was $500,000.

NOTE 6—MINIMUM ASSET COVERAGE

As a BDC, we are required to meet various regulator tests. Among other things, these tests will require us to invest at least 70% of our total assets in private or small-cap public U.S.-based companies, and to maintain a coverage ratio of total net assets to total senior securities and borrowings (including accrued interest payable) of at least 200%. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 87% of our investments (by fair value at that date) were in private or small-cap public U.S.-based companies and our coverage ratio was 100%.

NOTE 7—INCOME TAXES

We plan to be regulated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) and intend to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, applicable to regulated investment companies. Currently, we have not elected to be treated as a RIC. We are required to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income and intend to distribute (or retain through a deemed distribution) all of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain to shareholders; therefore, we have made no provision for income taxes. The character of income and gains that we will distribute is determined in accordance with income tax regulations that may differ from GAAP. Book and tax basis differences relating to shareholder dividends and distributions and other permanent book and tax differences are reclassified to paid-in capital. The Company did not have any taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2014.

NOTE 8—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 13, 2015, CombiMatrix modified the conversion price of the 81,967 warrants at $3.77 and the 81,967 warrants at $3.55 to a $1.97 conversion price for the duration of the life of the warrants. The modification was made in accordance with anti-dilution price-protection provisions in the warrant.

On February 19, 2015, we purchased a 12% convertible note from Creative Realities, Inc. for $1,000,000 principal amount. The note bears 12% annual interest paid monthly in arrears and is due August 18, 2016. The outstanding principal amount is convertible into common stock at $0.33. In conjunction with the financing, we received a warrant to purchase 1,515,152 common shares with a conversion price of $0.38. The warrant has a cashless conversion provision and expires February 17, 2020.

On March 13, 2015, we purchased a 12% senior secured promissory note from Mix 1 Life, Inc. for $250,000 principal amount. At closing, 12 months of interest was prepaid by Mix 1. The note is due on March 13, 2016. Our director Christopher Larson is also a director and the Chief Financial Officer of Mix 1 Life as well as a 5% shareholder in Mix 1.

ITEM 9

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance the objectives of the control system are met.

As of December 31, 2014, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in conjunction with our Chief Compliance Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of December 31, 2014.

Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Board of Directors and ShareholdersMill City Ventures III, Ltd.

The management of Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. It should be noted that any system of internal control, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company’s management assessed the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 based on the framework set forth in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Based on this assessment, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, is not required to issue, and thus has not issued, an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.

/s/ Douglas M. Polinsky

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Joseph A. Geraci, II

Chief Financial Officer

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART III

ITEM 10

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters, and Control Persons

Name	Age	Positions
Douglas M. Polinsky	55	Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
Joseph A. Geraci, II	45	Director and Chief Financial Officer
Howard Liszt	68	Director
Christopher Larson	43	Director
Laurence Zipkin	73	Director

Douglas M. Polinsky co-founded the Company in January 2006 and since that time has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Since 1994, Mr. Polinsky has been the Chief Executive Officer of Great North Capital Consultants, Inc., a financial advisory company that he founded. Great North Capital Consultants advises corporate clients on matters regarding corporate and governance structures, public company acquisitions of private companies and other transaction-related matters, and also make direct investments into public and private companies. Since 2007, Mr. Polinsky has been an independent director of FAB Universal Inc., a Pennsylvania-based company specializing in digital content distribution. Mr. Polinsky is a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board of Directors. Mr. Polinsky earned a Bachelor of Science degree in hotel administration at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.

Joseph A. Geraci, II co-founded the Company in January 2006 and has been a director and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since that time. Since February 2002 through the present time, Mr. Geraci has been managing member of Isles Capital, LLC, an advisory and consulting firm that assists small businesses, both public and private, in business development. In March 2005, Mr. Geraci also became the managing member of Mill City Advisors, LLC, the general partner of Mill City Ventures, LP, and Mill City Ventures II. LP, each a Minnesota limited partnership that invested directly into both private and public companies. From January 2005 until August 2005, Mr. Geraci served as the Director of Finance for Gelstat Corporation, a purveyor of homeopathic remedies, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. Mr. Geraci provided investment advice to clients as a stockbroker and Vice President of Oak Ridge Financial Services, Inc., a Minneapolis-based broker-dealer firm, from June 2000 to December 2004. While at Oak Ridge Financial Services, Mr. Geraci’s business was focused on structuring and negotiating debt and equity private placements with both private and publicly held companies. From his career and investment experiences, Mr. Geraci has established networks of colleagues, clients, co-investors, and the officers and directors of public and private companies. Mr. Geraci was employed at other Minneapolis brokerage firms from July 1991 to June 2000. These networks offer a range of contacts across a number of sectors and companies that may provide opportunities for investment, including many that meet the Company’s screening criteria.

In August 2003, the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) found in an administrative hearing that Mr. Geraci, while employed by and affiliated with a NASD member, had violated NASD Conduct Rule 2110 and SEC Rule 10b-5 in August 1999, and barred him from associating with any NASD member in the future.

Howard Liszt served as Chief Executive Officer of Campbell Mithun, a national marketing communications agency he joined in 1976, until 2001. He currently serves on the board of the following companies: Eggland’s Best, a branded egg company; Land O’ Lakes, the second largest cooperative in the United States; OCO Holdings, an independent marketing communications company; and Wireless Ronin, a marketing technology company. Mr. Liszt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Marketing and a Masters of Science in Marketing from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

Christopher Larson co-founded and acted as Chief Financial Officer of Cash Systems, Inc., a NASDAQ traded (symbol: CKNN) financial services company involved in the casino gaming industry, from 1999 to 2005. Mr. Larson also served on the Board of Directors of Cash Systems from 2001 to 2006 and on the Board of Directors of Western Capital Resources, Inc. from 2008 to 2009. Cash Systems was taken public via a reverse merger and during Mr. Larson’s tenure the company experienced revenue growth from $600,000 to $120,000,000 annually. Mr. Larson is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Hondo Minerals, a an exploration stage company engaged in the acquisition of historically significant, mines, mining claims and mining real estate in North America. Mr. Larson is also currently the Chief Financial Officer, a director and a 5% shareholder of Mix 1 Life, Inc., a company in which Mill City Ventures has an investment.

Laurence Zipkin is nationally recognized for his expertise in the gaming industry, restaurants, and emerging small growth companies. From 1996 to 2006, Mr. Zipkin owned Oakridge Securities, Inc. where, as an investment banker, he successfully raised capital for various early growth-stage companies and advising clients with regard to private placements, initial public offerings, mergers, debt offerings, bridge and bank financings, developing business plans and evaluating cash needs and resources. He has extensive experience in the merger and acquisition field and has represented companies on both the buy and sell side. Since 2006, Mr. Zipkin has been self-employed, engaging in various consulting activities, owning and operating two restaurant properties, and purchasing distressed real estate. Mr. Zipkin is a licensed insurance agent for both life and health insurance. Mr. Zipkin attended the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance.

Under the Company’s bylaws, the directors serve for indefinite terms expiring upon the next annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders.

When considering whether directors and nominees have the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to enable the Board of Directors to satisfy its oversight responsibilities effectively in light of the Company’s business and structure, the Board of Directors focuses primarily on the industry and transactional experience, and other background, in addition to any unique skills or attributes associated with a director. With regard to Messrs. Polinsky and Geraci, the Board of Directors considered their significant experience, expertise and background with regard to investing in general and the Company in particular. With regard to Mr. Larson, the Board of Directors considered his background and experience with the public securities markets and his former employment and experience in operational and financial capacities, as both a Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer. With regard to Mr. Liszt, the Board of Directors considered his experience on other boards of public companies, his past experience in the communications and advertising fields, and his organizational experience. With regard to Mr. Zipkin, the Board of Directors considered his knowledge, experience and skills in the finance, public securities and investment banking fields.

Code of Ethics

On August 5, 2008, our Board of Directors adopted a Code of Ethics, which includes our Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as required by Sections 406 and 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Our Code of Ethics is available at our website, www.millcityventures3.com, or without charge, to any shareholder upon written request made to Mill City Ventures III, Ltd., Attention: Chief Executive Officer, 328 Barry Ave. S., Suite 210, Wayzata, MN 55391.

The Code of Ethics has been drafted in order to facilitate compliance with the requirements applicable to the Company, as a BDC, under Section 17 of the 1940 Act. In this regard, the Company has recently implemented procedures to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Code of Ethics, which procedures are part of the various requirements applicable to the Company under Section 17 of the 1940 Act and Rule 17j-1 promulgated by the SEC thereunder.

Changes to Board of Director Nomination Procedures

We have not had any material changes to the procedures for shareholder nominations of candidates to serve on our Board of Directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Committees of the Board of Directors; Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Valuation Committee.

The members of the Audit Committee are Laurence Zipkin and Christopher Larson, each of whom is independent for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and “non-interested” directors for purposes of the 1940 Act. Mr. Zipkin currently serves as chair of the Audit Committee. The board has adopted a charter for the Audit Committee, which is filed as an exhibit to this report. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the Company’s independent accountants and recommending them to the board (including a majority of the independent directors) for approval and submission to the shareholders for ratification, if any, reviewing with its independent accountants the plans and results of the audit engagement, approving professional services provided by its independent accountants, reviewing the independence of its independent accountants and reviewing the adequacy of its internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee is also responsible for discussing with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures, including the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies. The board has determined that Mr. Zipkin is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the rules of the Commission. Mr. Zipkin’s relevant experience is detailed in his biography above. The Board of Directors has determined that each of the Audit Committee members is able to read and understand fundamental financial statements and that at least one member of the Audit Committee has past employment experience in finance or accounting.

The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Larson and Zipkin, each of whom is independent for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and “non-interested” directors for purposes of the 1940 Act. Mr. Zipkin currently serves as chair of the Compensation Committee. The compensation committee is responsible for approving the Company’s compensation arrangements with its executive management, including bonus-related decisions and employment agreements with respect to such individuals.

The members of the Valuation Committee are Messrs. Larson and Zipkin, each of whom is independent for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and “non-interested” directors for purposes of the 1940 Act. Mr. Zipkin currently serves as chair of the Valuation Committee. The Valuation Committee is responsible for approving the fair value of debt and equity securities comprising the Company’s investment portfolio pursuant to the Company’s written valuation policy and procedures.

Of the directors presently serving on the board, Messrs. Larson, Liszt and Zipkin are “independent” as that term is defined in Section 4200(a)(15) of National Association of Securities Dealers’ listing standards, and “non-interested” persons as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Our company is not, however, subject to the Nasdaq listing standards because its common stock is not listed for trading on any Nasdaq market tier.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, requires our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC certain reports regarding their ownership of common stock or any changes in such ownership. Based on our own review, we believe that there were no late filings during 2014.

ITEM 11

EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Executive Compensation

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth the total compensation paid by the Company during its two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 to those persons who served as the Company’s President or Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer during such periods (collectively, the “named executives”).

Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($)		Stock Awards ($)		All Other Compensation ($)		Total ($)
Douglas M. Polinsky,		2014	$	50,000	$	0	$	100,000	$	150,000
Chief Executive Officer		2013	$	50,000	$	0		—	$	50,000
Joseph A. Geraci, II,		2014	$	100,000	$	0	$	100,000	$	200,000
Chief Financial Officer		2013	$	100,000	$	0		—	$	100,000

Employment Agreements with Executives

We have employment agreements with each of Messrs. Polinsky and Geraci. These employment agreements are discussed below.

Mr. Polinsky’s Employment Agreement

Mr. Polinsky is being employed for a term of three years as our Chief Executive Officer and co-manager of the investment portfolio of the Company, and will receive an annual base salary of $50,000, which may be increased by our board’s Compensation Committee on an annual basis. Mr. Polinsky is also eligible for an annual cash bonus at the conclusion of each fiscal year up to Mr. Polinsky’s base salary, as approved by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Polinsky will also receive an amount of the Company’s net income each fiscal year which, when aggregated with the foregoing base salary and annual bonuses, if any, paid with respect to such fiscal year, and any other perquisites or benefits paid to Mr. Polinsky during such fiscal year, together with all compensation (including any perquisites and benefits) paid to all other officers and employees of the Company, equals 20% of the net income of the Company after taxes for such fiscal year (the “Profit Sharing Compensation”). Profit-Sharing Compensation will be calculated based upon the completed audited financials of the Company for the applicable fiscal year and paid as soon as practicable following the completion of such audit. Company officers and employees eligible to receive any Profit-Sharing Compensation will, among themselves, determine the manner in which they will participate in such compensation. At this time Messrs. Polinsky and Geraci are the only two officers or employees of the Company entitled to any Profit Sharing Compensation. Mr. Polinsky will also be entitled to reimbursements for all reasonable and appropriate business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his duties. The Company agrees that if it shall fail to qualify as a regulated investment company for any reason under the Internal Revenue Code, net income of the Company for purposes of the Profit Sharing Compensation will be calculated as if the Company were at all times qualified as a regulated investment company.

Upon termination of Mr. Polinsky’s employment agreement, Mr. Polinsky will be entitled to receive the foregoing compensation through the date of termination, and reimbursement for any expenses incurred by Mr. Polinsky through the date of such termination. If the Company terminates Mr. Polinsky’s employment agreement for cause, it may offset against such payments any damages sustained by the Company as a result of the conduct constituting such cause.

Mr. Polinsky is prohibited from disclosing confidential information of the Company, and agreed not to solicit any employees of the Company during the term of the employment agreement and for a period of 12 months thereafter. Mr. Polinsky’s agreement contains other customary terms and conditions.

Mr. Geraci’s Employment Agreement

Mr. Geraci is being employed for a term of three years as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and co-manager of the investment portfolio of the Company. Mr. Geraci will receive an annual base salary of $100,000, which may be increased by the board’s Compensation Committee on an annual basis. Mr. Geraci is also eligible for an annual cash bonus at the conclusion of each fiscal year up to Mr. Geraci’s base salary, as approved by the Compensation Committee. Mr. Geraci will also receive an amount of the Company’s net income each fiscal year which, when aggregated with the foregoing base salary and annual bonuses, if any, paid with respect to such fiscal year, and any other perquisites or benefits paid to Mr. Geraci during such fiscal year, together with all compensation (including any perquisites and benefits) paid to all other officers and employees of the Company, equals 20% of the net income of the Company after taxes for such fiscal year (the “Profit Sharing Compensation”). Profit-Sharing Compensation will be calculated based upon the completed audited financials of the Company for the applicable fiscal year and paid as soon as practicable following the completion of such audit. Company officers and employees eligible to receive any Profit-Sharing Compensation will, among themselves, determine the manner in which they will participate in such compensation. At this time Messrs. Polinsky and Geraci are the only two officers or employees of the Company entitled to any Profit Sharing Compensation. Mr. Geraci will also be entitled to reimbursements for all reasonable and appropriate business expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his duties. The Company has agreed that, if it shall fail to qualify as a regulated investment company for any reason under the Internal Revenue Code, net income of the Company for purposes of the Profit Sharing Compensation will be calculated as if the Company were at all times qualified as a regulated investment company.

Upon termination of Mr. Geraci’s employment agreement, Mr. Geraci shall be entitled to receive the foregoing compensation through the date of termination, and reimbursement for any expenses incurred by Mr. Geraci through the date of such termination. If the Company terminates Mr. Geraci’s employment agreement for cause, it may offset against such payments any damages sustained by the Company as a result of the conduct constituting such cause.

Mr. Geraci is prohibited from disclosing confidential information of the Company, and agreed not to solicit any employees of the Company during the term of the employment agreement and for a period of 12 months thereafter. Mr. Geraci’s agreement contains other customary terms and conditions.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

We had no outstanding options, warrants, unvested stock awards or equity incentive plan awards as of December 31, 2014 held by any named executive. In addition, we have no options, warrants, unvested stock awards or equity incentive plan awards outstanding and held by any named executive as of the date of this filing.

Director Compensation

For 2014, we paid a total of $60,000 in director fees to our independent directors. Presently, each such director receives an annualized fee of $20,000.

Name	Year		Compensation		Total
Joseph A. Geraci, III		2014		—		—
Douglas M. Polinsky		2014		—		—
Christopher Larson		2014	$	20,000	$	20,000
Howard P. Liszt		2014	$	20,000	$	20,000
Laurence S. Zipkin		2014	$	20,000	$	20,000

ITEM 12

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The table below sets forth certain information with respect to beneficial ownership of our common stock as of February 27, 2015
(on which date there were 12,151,493 shares of common stock outstanding), by:

each director of the Company

each named executive (see Item 11 above)

all current directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, and

each person or entity known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock.

Unless otherwise indicated in the table or its footnotes, the business address of each of the following persons or entities is 328 Barry Avenue S., Wayzata, Minnesota 55391, and each such person or entity has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock set forth opposite their respective name.

	Number of Shares Beneficially Owned⁽¹⁾		Percentage of Outstanding Shares⁽¹⁾
Douglas M. Polinsky⁽²⁾		552,358		4.5	%
Joseph A. Geraci, II⁽³⁾		556,130		4.6	%
Howard Liszt⁽⁴⁾		—		*
Christopher Larson⁽⁵⁾		—		*
Laurence Zipkin⁽⁶⁾		—		*
Neal Linnihan		2,500,000		20.6	%
Scott and Elizabeth Zbikowski⁽⁷⁾		1,865,000		15.3	%
Ervin Kramer		1,087,728		8.9	%
Donald Schreifels		1,060,001		8.7	%
David Bester		1,000,000		8.2	%
Patrick Kinney⁽⁸⁾		942,278		7.8	%
William Hartzell		650,000		5.3	%
All current directors and executive officers as a group⁽⁹⁾ (five persons)		818,433		6.7	%

________________

(1)

Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and includes general voting power and/or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to options or warrants currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days of the applicable record date, are deemed outstanding for computing the beneficial ownership percentage of the person holding such options or warrants but are not deemed outstanding for computing the beneficial ownership percentage of any other person.

(2)

Mr. Polinsky is the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Includes 69,411 common shares held by Great North Capital Consultants, Inc. (f/k/a Great North Capital Corp.), a Minnesota corporation of which Mr. Polinsky is the sole shareholder, officer and director, 290,055 common shares held by Lantern Advisers, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company co-owned by Messrs. Polinsky and Geraci, 180,164 common shares held individually by Mr. Polinsky, and 12,728 common shares Mr. Polinsky holds as a custodian for his children (beneficial ownership of which Mr. Polinsky disclaims).

(3)

Mr. Geraci is a director and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer. Includes 290,055 common shares held by Lantern Advisers, LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company co-owned by Messrs. Geraci and Polinsky, 248,802 common shares held by Mr. Geraci and 17,273 common shares held individually by Mr. Geraci’s spouse.

(4)

Mr. Liszt is a director of the Company.

(5)

Mr. Larson is a director of the Company.

(6)

Mr. Zipkin is a director of the Company.

(7)

Based upon a Schedule 13G filed by Mr. and Mrs. Zbikowski, Mr. Zbikowski is the beneficial owner of 1,240,000 shares, and Mrs. Zbikowski is the beneficial owner of 625,000 shares. Mr. and Mrs. Zbikowski are husband and wife.

(8)

Based upon a Schedule 13G filed by Mr. Kinney on March 19, 2013, Mr. Kinney may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 942,278 shares, which includes 3,640 shares that are held in custodial accounts for the benefit of his grandchildren.

(9)

Consists of Messrs. Polinsky, Geraci, Liszt, Larson and Zipkin.

ITEM 13

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Transactions with Related Persons and Certain Conflict Disclosures

On February 6, 2014, we entered into a Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement with Mix 1 Life, Inc. and in connection therewith purchased a $500,000 senior secured convertible promissory note and received a warrant to purchase up to 1,600,000 shares of Mix 1 Life common stock at $0.50 per share. The note currently is convertible into shares of common stock at $1.08 per share (after giving effect to a Mix 1 reverse stock split). The warrant has a five-year term expiring February 6, 2019. On August 7, 2014 we elected to exercise, on a cashless basis, our warrants into 1,121,912 shares of Mix 1 common stock. On September 11, 2014, a 1-for-3 reverse split on those common shares reduced our holdings to 373,971 common shares. At December 31, 2014, the cost and fair value of the promissory note was $500,000 and the cost and fair value of the common stock was $0 and $1,958,399, respectively. Our director Mr. Larson is currently the Chief Financial Officer, director and 5% shareholder of Mix 1 Life, Inc. Mr. Larson was appointed Chief Financial Officer and a director of Mix 1 on June 24, 2014, after our initial investment in Mix 1 Life. More recently on March 13, 2015, we purchased a 12% senior secured promissory note from Mix 1 Life, Inc. for $250,000 principal amount. At closing, 12 months of interest was prepaid by Mix 1. The note is due on March 13, 2016. As explained above, our director Christopher Larson is also a director and the Chief Financial Officer of Mix 1 Life as well as a 5% shareholder in Mix 1.

Shortly after our conversion into a BDC in 2013, we acquired and then made a follow-on investment in common stock of Southern Plains Resources, Inc. At the time of the filing of this report, we continue to hold 600,000 shares of common stock of Southern Plains Resources. Our aggregate cost for this holding at December 31, 2014 was $730,000, and the fair value was $300,000. Our Chief Executive Officer, Douglas M. Polinsky, and our Chief Financial Officer, Joseph A. Geraci, II, have pre-existing direct and indirect beneficial ownership of personal investments in Southern Plains Resources.

Related-Party Transaction Policy

The Board of Directors has adopted a written Conflict of Interest and Related Party Transaction Policy. That policy governs the approval of all related-party transactions, subject only to certain customary exceptions (e.g., compensation, certain charitable donations, transactions made available to all employees generally, etc.). The policy contains a minimum dollar threshold of $5,000.

The entire Board of Directors administers the policy and approves any related-party transactions, subject to conflicting requirements of the 1940 Act or the Company’s written Code of Ethics. In general, after full disclosure of all material facts, review and discussion, the board approves or disapproves related-party transactions by a vote of a majority of the directors who have no interest in such transaction, direct or indirect. Procedurally, no director is allowed vote in any approval of a related-party transaction for which he or she is the related party, except that such a director may otherwise participate in a related discussion and shall provide to the board all material information concerning the related-party transaction and the director’s interest therein. If a related-party transaction will be ongoing, the board may establish guidelines for management to follow in its ongoing dealings with the related party.

Director Independence

The Company currently has five directors, three of whom—Messrs. Liszt, Larson and Zipkin, are “independent” as that term is defined in Section 4200(a)(15) of National Association of Securities Dealers’ listing standards. None of our independent directors are “interested persons” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act. The Company is not subject to those listing standards, however, because its common stock is not listed for trading on a Nasdaq market. Based upon information requested from each such director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, the board has affirmatively determined that none of the independent directors has a material business or professional relationship with the Company, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Board or any committee thereof.

ITEM 14

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Aggregate fees billed by our principal independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years indicated:

	2014		2013
Audit Fees	$	39,729	$	48,400
Audit-Related Fees		—		—
Tax Fees		—		—
All Other Fees		—		—
Total	$	39,729	$	48,400

Audit Fees. The fees identified under this caption were for professional services rendered by Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP for the years ended 2014 and 2013 in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and review of the financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The amounts also include fees for services that are normally provided by the independent public registered accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings and engagements for the years identified.

Audit-Related Fees. The fees identified under this caption were for assurance and related services that were related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and were not reported under the caption “Audit Fees.” This category may include fees related to the performance of audits and attestation services not required by statute or regulations, and accounting consultations about the application of generally accepted accounting principles to proposed transactions.

Tax Fees. The fees identified under this caption were for tax compliance and corporate tax services. Corporate tax services encompass a variety of permissible services, including technical tax advice related to tax matters; assistance with state and local taxes.

Approval Policy. Our entire Board of Directors approves in advance all services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. All engagements of our independent registered public accounting firm in years ended 2013 and 2014 were pre-approved by the Board of Directors.

PART IV

ITEM 15

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statements			22
Balance Sheets — December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013			23
Statements of Operations — Year ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013			24
Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) — Years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013			25
Statements of Cash Flows — Year ended December 31, 2014 December 31, 2013			27
Notes to Financial Statements			30

Exhibits

Exhibit Number		Description
3.1		Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 23, 2013)
3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mill City Ventures III, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s registration statement on Form 10-SB filed on January 29, 2008)
4		Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s registration statement on Form 10-SB filed on January 29, 2008)
10.1		Employment Agreement with Joseph A. Geraci II, dated effective March 25, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 26, 2013)
10.2		Employment Agreement with Douglas M. Polinsky dated effective March 25, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 26, 2013)
10.3		Safekeeping Agreement with Millennium Trust Company, LLC dated as of March 22, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j)(1) to the registrant’s amendment to registration statement on Form N-2 filed on May 31, 2013)
10.4		Addendum to Safekeeping Agreement with Millennium Trust Company, LLC dated as of March 22, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j)(2) to the registrant’s amendment to registration statement on Form N-2 filed on May 31, 2013)
10.5		Safekeeping Agreement with Maxwell Simon, Inc. dated as of May 30, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (j)(3) to the registrant’s amendment to registration statement on Form N-2 filed on May 31, 2013)
10.6		Securities Purchase Agreement with Mix 1 Life, Inc. dated effective February 6, 2014 (filed herewith)
10.7		Senior Secured Convertible Debenture of Mix 1 Life, Inc. dated effective February 6, 2014 (filed herewith)
10.8		Warrant of Mix 1 Life, Inc. dated effective February 6, 2014 (filed herewith)
10.9		Security Agreement with Mix 1 Life, Inc. dated effective February 6, 2014 (filed herewith)
10.10		Guaranty and Pledge Agreement with Christopher Larson and Cameron Robb dated effective February 6, 2014 (filed herewith)
10.11		Note Purchase Agreement with Mix 1 Life, Inc. dated effective March 13, 2015 (filed herewith)
10.12		Senior Secured Promissory Note dated effective March 13, 2015 (filed herewith)
14		Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 to the registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2013)
31.1		Section 302 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer*
31.2		Section 302 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer*
32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

_______________

Filed electronically herewith.

SIGNATURES

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	MILL CITY VENTURES III, LTD.

	/s/ Douglas Polinsky
	Douglas Polinsky
	Chief Executive Officer

	Dated: March 31, 2015

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature and Name	Position/Title	Date
/s/ Douglas M. Polinsky	Chief Executive Officer, President and	March 31, 2015
Douglas M. Polinsky	Director (principal executive officer)
/s/ Joseph A. Geraci, II	Chief Financial Officer and Director	March 31, 2015
Joseph A. Geraci, II	(principal accounting and financial officer)
/s/ Christopher Larson	Director	March 31, 2015
Christopher Larson
/s/ Howard Liszt	Director	March 31, 2015
Howard Liszt
/s/ Laurence Zipkin	Director	March 31, 2015
Laurence S. Zipkin