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RENN Fund, Inc. - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

Form 10-K
Mark One
 
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007 or

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
 
Commission File No. 33-75758

RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas  
   
 75-2533518
(State of incorporation or organization)
   
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
Suite 210, LB 59, 8080 North Central Expressway, Dallas, Texas
75206
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (214) 891-8294

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

       
Name of each exchange
Title of each class
 
 
 
on which registered
Common
     
American Stock Exchange
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock ($1.00 par value)
(Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
 Yes o 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 o 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 such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure by 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 statement to this Form 10-K. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer o  Accelerated Filer o   Non-accelerated filer x

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

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, based on the closing price of such the Registrant’s Common Stock as of June 29, 2007, was $36,082,059. As of March 24, 2008, there were 4,463,967 shares of Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

2



TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I
 
Item 1.
 
Business
 
4
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
 
23
Item 2.
 
Properties
 
26
Item 3.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
26
Item 4.
 
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
26
         
PART II
 
Item 5.
 
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
27
Item 6.
 
Selected Financial Data
 
29
Item 7.
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
 
30
   
and Results of Operations
   
Item 7A.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
 
33
Item 8.
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
34
Item 9.
 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
34
Item 9A(T).
 
Controls and Procedures
 
34
Item 9B.
 
Other Information
 
35
         
   
PART III
   
         
Item 10.
 
Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant
 
36
Item 11.
 
Executive Compensation
 
42
Item 12.
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
 
43
Item 13.
 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
 
44
Item 14.
 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
44
         
PART IV
 
Item 15.
 
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
 
45
Signatures
 
47
Index to Financial Statements
 
F-1
Financial Statements
 
F-2 TO F-27

3


Part I

Certain of the statements included below, including those regarding future financial performance or results that are not historical facts, contain “forward-looking” information as that term is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The Fund cautions readers that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and that such statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to industry conditions, general economic conditions, interest rates, competition, ability of the Fund to successfully manage its growth, and other factors discussed or included by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, those actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Item 1. Business.

GENERAL

Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc., (the “Fund” or the “Registrant”) is a non-diversified, closed-end fund that has elected to be treated as a business development company (a “BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund, a Texas corporation, was organized and commenced operations in 1994.

The investment objective of the Fund is to provide its stockholders long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in privately placed convertible securities and equity securities of emerging growth companies.

RENN Capital Group, Inc. (“RENN Group” or the “Investment Adviser”), a Texas corporation, serves as the Investment Adviser to the Fund. In this capacity, RENN Group is primarily responsible for the selection, evaluation, structure, valuation, and administration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors. RENN Group is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisors Act”).
 
Our Internet website address is www.rencapital.com. You can review the filings we have made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), free of charge, by linking to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval System of the SEC (“EDGAR”) at www.sec.gov. From EDGAR, you should be able to access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
4


Generally, investments are, and will continue to be, in companies that have their common stock registered for public trading under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), or companies that in the opinion of the Investment Adviser have the ability to effect a public offering within three to five years. The Fund generally invests in privately placed convertible preferred stock, common stock, and warrants and debentures of a company to be held in the Fund’s portfolio (“Portfolio Company”). The convertible preferred stock, warrants and debentures securities typically are convertible into, or exchangeable for, the common stock of the Portfolio Company. While such common stock of the Portfolio Company may be publicly traded, the common stock acquired by the Fund is often unregistered. Therefore, such securities are restricted from distribution or sale to the public except in compliance with certain holding periods and exemptions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or after registration pursuant to the 1933 Act. Typically, the Fund receives registration rights for shares to be registered within a certain period of time. The Fund also purchases shares of small and micro-cap issuers in the open markets. These shares are freely tradable and have no restrictions on resale.

From inception through December 31, 2007, the Fund had made investments in eighty-four (84) different Portfolio Companies having an aggregate cost of $106,144,160. At December 31, 2007, the Fund had active investments in thirty-seven (37) Portfolio Companies. The Fund does not focus on particular industry segments. Instead, the Fund makes investment decisions using a bottom-up analysis of the potential Portfolio Company, with no predetermined industry bias.

Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, a Business Development Company generally is required to invest at least 70% of its assets directly in “Eligible Portfolio Companies” and temporary investments in “cash items” pending other investments. The term “Eligible Portfolio Company” generally includes any issuer that (1) is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, any U.S. state or states; (2) is not an investment company and (3) does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange. The Fund determines whether any prospective investment is an Eligible Portfolio Company at the time the investment is made, and the calculation of the requisite percentage is also made at that time and is based on the most recent valuation of the Fund’s assets. Under the 1940 Act, a Business Development Company may invest up to 30% of its funds in companies that do not qualify as Eligible Portfolio Companies. In the event the Fund has less than 70% of its assets in the securities of Eligible Portfolio Companies, then the Fund will be prohibited from making investments in companies that are not Eligible Portfolio Companies until such time as the percentage of eligible investments again are at least equal to the 70% threshold.

Pending investment in securities of Eligible Portfolio Companies or other Portfolio Companies, the Registrant’s funds are invested in short-term investments consisting primarily of cash or U.S. Government and agency obligations.
 
5


At December 31, 2007, the Fund’s investment assets were classified by amount as follows:

   
 
 
Percentage
 
Classification
 
Value
 
of Net Assets
 
Investments in Eligible Portfolio
 
$
23,553,371
   
62.38
%
Companies (including cash and
             
cash equivalents, net of liabilities)
             
Other Portfolio Investments
   
14,205,777
   
37.62
 
               
               
   
$
37,759,148
   
100.00
%
 
As of December 31, 2007, the Fund was in compliance with the sections of the 1940 Act that address Eligible Portfolio Companies.  However, the Fund will not be permitted to make additional investments in companies that are not Eligible Portfolio Companies until such time as the percentage of eligible investments are at least equal to the 70% threshold.  The Fund’s ability to make additional investments in Eligible Portfolio Companies remains unrestricted.

6


INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to provide its stockholders with long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in privately placed convertible debt and equity securities of emerging growth public companies. The Fund seeks to provide returns to stockholders through cash dividends of net investment income and through distributions of realized gains.
 
GENERAL INVESTMENT POLICIES

The Fund invests in the securities of emerging growth companies that are generally not available to the public and which typically require substantial financial commitment. An “emerging growth company” is generally considered to have the following attributes: (1) either a publicly held company with a relatively small market capitalization or a privately held company; (2) an established operating history but of a limited period so as to not have fully developed its market potential for the products or services offered; and (3) a provider of a new or unique product or service that allows the company an opportunity for exceptional growth. Emerging growth companies typically require non-conventional sources of financing because the extent and nature of the market for their products or services is not fully known. Consequently, there is uncertainty as to the rate and extent of growth and also uncertainty as to the capital and human resources required to achieve the goals sought.

With respect to investments in emerging growth companies, the Fund emphasizes investing in convertible debentures or convertible preferred stock of publicly held companies that the Fund anticipates will be converted into common stock and registered for public sale within three to five years after the private placement. In addition, the Fund invests in privately placed common stock of publicly traded issuers that are initially restricted from trading. To a lesser extent, the Fund may participate in bridge financings in the form of loans or other preferred securities which are convertible into common stock of the issuer or issued together with equity participation, or both, for companies which the Fund anticipates will complete a stock offering or other financing within a year from the date of the investment. The Fund may also make bridge loans, either secured or unsecured, intended to carry the borrower to a private placement or an initial public offering, or to a merger, acquisition, or other strategic transaction.

Generally, the debt securities of Portfolio Companies have an initial fixed term of five to seven years, with no amortization of the principal amount for the initial two to three years. Further, privately-placed investments in Portfolio Companies will be individually negotiated, non-registered for public trading, and will be subject to legal and contractual investment restrictions. Accordingly, the Fund’s securities of Portfolio Companies are generally considered non-liquid.

The Fund has no fixed policy concerning the types of businesses or industry groups in which it may invest or as to the amount of funds that it will invest in any one issuer. However, the Fund will generally seek to limit its investment in securities of any single Portfolio Company to approximately 15% of the Portfolio Company’s net assets at the time of the investment.
 
7


In the event the Fund elects to participate as a member of the Portfolio Company’s Board of Directors, either through advisory or full membership, the Fund’s nominee to the board will generally be selected from among the officers of RENN Group. When, at the discretion of RENN Group, a suitable nominee is not available from among its officers, RENN Group will select, as alternate nominees, outside consultants who have prior experience as an independent outside director of a public company. At December 31, 2007, officers of the Fund served as directors of nine of the Fund’s portfolio companies. The Fund makes available significant managerial assistance to its portfolio companies through participating in discussions with management and review of various management reports.

Although the Fund has no intent to change its current investment objectives, they may be changed without a vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s common stock.

It is the policy of the Fund not to structure off-balance-sheet arrangements.

REGULATION UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

The 1940 Act was enacted to regulate investment companies. In 1980, the 1940 Act was amended by the adoption of the Small Business Investment Incentive Act. The purpose of the amendment was to remove regulatory burdens on professionally managed investment companies engaged in providing capital to smaller companies. The Small Business Investment Incentive Act established a new type of investment company specifically identified as a Business Development Company as a way to encourage financial institutions and other major investors to provide a new source of capital for small developing businesses.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

A business development company (“BDC”) is a closed-end management investment company that generally makes 70% or more of its investments in “Eligible Portfolio Companies” and “cash items” pending other investment. Under the 1940 Act, only certain companies may qualify as “Eligible Portfolio Companies.” To be an “Eligible Portfolio Company,” the company must satisfy the following:
 
 
·
it must be organized under the laws of, and have its principal place of business in, any state or states of the United States of America;

 
·
it is neither an investment company as defined in Section 3 of the 1940 Act (other than a small business investment company which is licensed by the Small Business Administration to operate under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 and which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the business development company) nor a company which would be an investment company under the 1940 Act except for the exclusion from the definition of investment company in Section 3(c) of the 1940 Act; and

8

 
 
·
it satisfies one of the following:
 
1)
it does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange; or
     
2)
it has no class of securities on which a broker, dealer or national exchange member will extend credit; or
     
3)
it is controlled by a BDC (singly or in a group), in general terms, by virtue of the BDC’s ownership of 25% or more of the company’s voting securities and having a representative of the BDC on the company’s board of directors; or
     
4)
it has total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.

“Eligible Portfolio Companies” are, generally, those companies that, while being publicly held, might not have or do not have a broad-based market for their securities, or the securities that they wish to offer are restricted from public trading until registered. The Fund provides or offers to provide managerial assistance, and in certain circumstances contracts for the right to have a designee of the Fund elected to the board of directors of the Portfolio Company, or be designated as an advisory director. While these are the Fund’s general policies, the application of these policies, of necessity, varies with each investment situation.

1940 ACT REQUIREMENTS

The BDC election exempts the Fund from some provisions of the 1940 Act. However, except for those specific provisions, the Fund will continue to be subject to all provisions of the 1940 Act not otherwise exempted, including the following:

 
·
restrictions on the Fund from changing the nature of the Fund’s business so as to cease to be, or to withdraw its election as, a BDC without the majority vote of the shares outstanding;

 
·
restrictions against certain transactions between the Fund and affiliated persons;

 
·
restrictions on issuance of senior securities;

 
·
compliance with accounting rules and conditions as established by the SEC, including annual audits by independent accountants;

 
·
compliance with fiduciary obligations imposed under the 1940 Act; and

 
·
requirement that the stockholders ratify the selection of the Fund’s independent public accountants and the approval of the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Investment Adviser or similar contracts and amendments thereto.

9


CO-INVESTMENTS WITH ADVISER-AFFILIATED FUNDS

In accordance with the conditions of an exemptive order of the SEC permitting co-investments (the “Co-investment Order”), many of the Fund’s acquisitions and dispositions of investments are made in joint participation with funds that are also advised or managed by RENN Group (“Adviser-Affiliated Funds”).
 
The Co-investment Order provides that the Investment Adviser will review private placement investment opportunities on behalf of the Fund, including investments being considered on behalf of its Adviser-Affiliated Funds. If the Investment Adviser determines that any such investment is an eligible co-investment opportunity, the Fund must be offered the opportunity to invest in such investment in an amount recommended by the Adviser. Securities purchased by the Fund in a co-investment transaction with Adviser-Affiliated Funds will consist of the same class of securities and will have the same rights, price, terms and conditions. Any such co-investment transaction must be approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors, including a majority of its independent directors. The Fund will not make any direct investment in the securities of any issuers in which the other Adviser-Affiliated Funds, already hold an interest, except for follow-on investments in entities under a previous co-investment in which the Fund also participated. To the extent that the amount of a follow-on investment opportunity is not based on the amount of the Fund’s and the Adviser-Affiliated Funds’ initial investments, the relative amount of investment by the Adviser-Affiliated Funds and the Fund will be based on the ratio of the Fund’s remaining funds available for investment to the aggregate of the Fund’s and the Adviser-Affiliated Funds’ remaining funds available for investment.
 
The Fund will bear no more than its own transaction costs.
 
INVESTMENT ADVISERS ACT OF 1940 AND THE ADVISORY AGREEMENT

RENN Group is the Investment Adviser to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). RENN Group is registered as an Investment Adviser under the Advisers Act and is subject to its filing and other requirements. The Advisers Act also provides restrictions on the activities of registered advisers in order to protect clients from manipulative or deceptive practices.

The Advisory Agreement is further subject to the 1940 Act, which requires that the Advisory Agreement, in addition to having to be initially ratified by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund, must precisely describe all compensation to be paid to RENN Group, must be approved annually by a majority vote of the Board of Directors of the Fund, may be terminated without penalty on at least 60 days notice by a vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Fund or by the vote of the Funds’ directors or the Adviser, and must automatically terminate in the event of assignment.
 
10


Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, RENN Group receives a management fee equal to a quarterly rate of 0.4375% of the Fund’s net assets, as determined at the end of such quarter with each such payment to be due on the last day of the calendar quarter. In addition, under the Advisory Agreement, RENN Group receives an incentive fee in an amount equal to 20% of the Fund’s realized capital gains in excess of realized capital losses of the Fund after allowance for any unrealized capital losses in the portfolio investments of the Fund. The incentive fee is calculated and paid on an annual basis.

11


FUND PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS

At December 31, 2007, the Fund had active investments in the following companies:

Access Plans USA, Inc. (Nasdaq:AUSA)
4929 West Royal Lane, Irving, TX 75063
 
Access Plans USA, Inc. develops and distributes various health insurance products and non-insurance health care discount programs to individuals, families, affinity groups and employer groups in the United States. 
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned a total of 890,500 shares of the company’s common stock, options to purchase 3,659 shares of common stock at $2.30 per share and options to purchase 2,439 shares of common stock at $2.25 per share. These securities have a cost basis of $2,139,777.
 
AdStar, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADST)
4553 Glencoe Avenue, Suite 300, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

AdStar, Inc. provides technology services to the classified advertising industry in the United States. It offers services using its proprietary software that electronically connects advertisers with newspaper publishing systems, as well as online advertising formats. The company enables professional advertising agencies, businesses, and individuals to send ads to publishers electronically.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Fund sold 15,731 shares of common stock for $7,014, recognizing a loss of $12,266.

At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 253,500 shares of common stock in the company, having a cost basis of $330,718.

Advance Nanotech, Inc. (OTCBB:AVNA)
600 Lexington Avenue, 29th Floor, New York, New York 10022

Advance Nanotech, Inc. engages in the acquisition and commercialization of nanotechnologies in the areas of homeland security and display.

In the second quarter of 2007, the Fund sold 165,000 shares of common stock for $64,154, recognizing a loss of $254,647.

At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 5,796 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 82,500 shares of common stock. These securities have a cost basis of $11,199.
 
12


Asian Financial, Inc. (Duoyuan Digital Printing Technology) (Private)
No. 3 Jinyuan Road, Daxing District Industrial Development Zone, Beijing, China, 102600
 
Duoyuan Digital Printing Technology engages in the design, development, and manufacture of offset printing equipment and solutions in the People’s Republic of China. Duoyuan Digital Printing Technology is in the process of going through a reverse merger with a public shell known as Asian Financial, Inc.

At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 130,209 shares of common stock in the company, having a cost basis of $500,000.
 
Bovie Medical Corporation (AMEX:BVX)
734 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747
 
Bovie Medical Corporation engages in the manufacture and marketing of medical products and the development of related technologies. The company offers electrosurgery products, which include desiccators, generators, electrodes, electrosurgery pencils, and various ancillary disposable products used in surgery for the cutting and coagulation of tissue, Bovie/Aaron 800 and 900 High Frequency Desiccators, which are designed for dermatology and plastic surgery for removing small skin lesions and growths, Bovie/Aaron 950 that is developed for outpatient surgical procedures used in various specialties, including dermatology, gynecology, and plastic surgery, Bovie/Aaron 1250, an electrosurgery generator, and Bovie/Aaron 2250/IDS 300, which is a multipurpose digital electrosurgery generator for the surgi-center market.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 500,000 shares of common stock in the company, having a cost basis of $907,844.
 
BPO Management Services, Inc. (AMEX:BVX)
1290 North Hancock Street, Suite 202, Anaheim, CA 92807
 
BPO Management Services, Inc. provides business process outsourcing (BPO) services in the United States and Canada. It offers a range of services, including human resources, information technology, enterprise content management, and finance and accounting to support the back-office functions of middle-market enterprises on an outsourced basis.
 
In the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Fund bought 104,167 shares of Series D preferred stock for $1,000,000 ($9.60 per share). Such shares are convertible into 1,666,667 common shares. The Fund also received warrants to purchase 833,334 shares and 1,666,667 shares of common stock at $0.90 per share and $1.25 per share, respectively. Additionally, the Fund received a J warrant, which gives the Fund the right to purchase 104,167 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock at $14.40. Such shares are convertible into 1,666,667 common shares. If the J warrant is exercised, the Fund will receive warrants to purchase another 833,334 shares and 1,666,667 shares of common stock at $1.35 per share (C warrants) and $1.87 (D warrants) per share, respectively.
 
13


During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Fund agreed to exercise half of the J warrant at $0.60 per share rather than $0.90 per share. In addition, the strike price on half of the C warrants was reset to $0.01 and the strike price on half of the D warrants was reset to $1.10. This transaction required a cash outlay of $500,000.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 104,167 shares of Series D preferred stock. Such shares are convertible into 1,666,667 common shares. The Fund also held warrants to purchase 833,334 shares and 1,666,667 shares of common stock at $0.90 per share and $1.25 per share, respectively. In addition, the Fund owned 52,084 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock. The Fund held a J warrant to purchase another 52,084 shares of Series D-2 preferred stock. If the J warrant is exercised, the Fund will receive a C warrant to purchase 416,667 shares of common stock at $1.35 per share and 416,667 shares of common stock at $0.01. Additionally, if the J warrant is exercised, the Fund will receive a D warrant to purchase 833,334 shares of common stock at $1.87 per share and 833,334 shares of common stock at $1.10 per share.
 
CaminoSoft Corporation (OTC:CMSF)
600 North Hampshire Road, Suite 105, West Lake Village, CA 91361
 
CaminoSoft Corp. engages in the development and marketing of enterprise data management software for small and medium-sized organizations. It offers software solutions that store, manage, and safeguard data created in a business and application settings.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund held a $250,000 promissory note. The Fund also owned 3,539,414 shares of common stock in the company having a basis of $5,275,000. Additionally, the Fund owned warrants to purchase 1,602,779 shares common at exercise prices ranging from $0.53 per share to $1.11 per share, with varying expiration dates, and options to purchase 94,200 shares common with strike prices ranging from $0.41 per share to $0.61 per share.
 
Chardan South China Acquisition Corporation (OTCBB:CSCA)
625 Broadway, Suite 1111, San Diego, CA 92101
 
Chardan South China Acquisition Corporation is an engineering company, providing design, construction, and installation services for distributed power generation and micro power networks in China. Subsequent to December 31, 2007, the company changed its name to A-Power Energy Generation Systems, Ltd. (Nasdaq:APWR).
 
During the third quarter of 2007, the Fund purchased 48,000 shares of common stock for $409,256.
 
At December 31, 2007, there was no change in the Fund’s ownership in these securities.
 
Comtech Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:COGO)
 
Room 1001 Tower C Skyworth Building High-Tech Industrial Park Nanshan, Shenzhen, China 518057
 
Comtech Group, Inc. provides customized module design solutions to electronic manufacturers in China.
 
14

 
During the second quarter of 2007, the Fund sold 100,000 shares of common stock for $1,869,947, realizing a gain of $1,519,947.  
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund held 200,000 shares of the company’s common stock, with a cost basis of $836,019.
 
eOriginal, Inc. (Private)
351 West Camden Street, Suite 800, Baltimore, MD 21201

eOriginal, Inc. has a patented process for creating, executing, storing and retrieving legal documents in an electronic format.

At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 10,680 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock; 25,646 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock; 51,249 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock; 36,711 shares of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock; warrants to purchase 2,258 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $16.12 per share and warrants to purchase 14,861 shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $16.12 to $20.97 per share. The aggregate cost basis is $6,872,270.

Gaming & Entertainment Group, Inc. (OTCPK:GMEI)
16821 Escalon Drive, Encino, CA 91436

Gaming & Entertainment Group, Inc. engages in the development, commercialization, and licensing of software for amusement and gaming machines for the United Kingdom and European gaming markets.
During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Fund sold 500,000 shares of common stock for $4,722, realizing a loss of $495,278.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 112,500 common shares having a cost of $50,625.

Gasco Energy, Inc. (AMEX:GSX)
14 Inverness Drive East, Suite H-236, Englewood, CO 80112
 
Gasco Energy, Inc. operates as a natural gas and petroleum exploration, development and production company in the western United States.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Fund sold 766,080 shares of common stock for $1,745,851, realizing a gain of $961,202.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 775,586 shares of common stock having a cost of $465,352. The fund also held options to buy 18,750 shares of the company’s common stock at exercise prices ranging from $1.00 to $2.15.
 
15

 
Global Axcess Corporation (OTCBB:GAXC)
14 Inverness Drive East, Suite H-236, Englewood, CO 80112

Global Axcess Corporation owns and operates automated teller machines (ATM) with locations primarily in the eastern and southwestern United States.

At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 953,333 shares of common stock having a cost basis of $1,261,667 and warrants to purchase 1,486,667 shares of common stock at prices ranging from $1.75 per share to $5.00 per share.

Hemcure, Inc. (AuraSound) (OTCBB:HMCU)
11839 East Smith Avenue, Santa Fe Springs, CA 70670

Hemcure, Inc. engages in the development, commercialization and sale of audio products, sound systems and audio components using its patented and proprietary electromagnetic technology. Its products include micro-audio speakers, speaker component products, such as loudspeaker transducers and home and pro audio products, including home audio systems, home theater systems and subwoofers.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2007, the Fund bought 1,000,000 shares of common stock for $1,000,000. The Fund also received warrants to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $1.50 per share. Additionally, the Fund received a J warrant, which gives the Fund the right to purchase 370,370 shares of common stock at $1.35. If the J warrant is exercised, the Fund will receive warrants to purchase another 370,370 shares of common stock at $1.50 per share. AuraSound completed a reverse merger with Hemcure, Inc.

At December 31, 2007, there was no change in the Fund’s ownership of these securities.

Hemobiotech, Inc. (OTCBB:HMBT)
5001 Spring Valley Road, Suite 1040 West, Dallas, TX 75244

Hemobiotech, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the research and development of human blood substitute technology licensed from Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Medicine (TTUHSC) in Texas. It focuses primarily on the production of HemoTech, an oxygen-carrying solution that performs like red blood cells.

At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 1,200,000 shares of common stock. The stock had a cost basis of $1,284,117.

HLS Systems International, Inc. (OTCBB:HLSYF)
625 Broadway, Suite 1111, San Diego, CA 92101

HLS Systems International, Inc. operates as a holding company for Beijing HollySys Company Ltd. and Hangzhou HollySys Automation Co., Ltd. Those companies manufacture and market industrial automation and control systems.
 
16


During the third quarter of 2007, the Fund bought 58,500 shares of common stock for $498,557.

At December 31, 2007, there was no change in the Fund’s ownership of these securities.

i2Telecom International, Inc. (OTCBB:ITUI) 
1200 Abernathy Road, Suite 1800, Atlanta, GA 30328
 
i2Telecom International, Inc. provides telecommunications services employing voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 4,165,316 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 78,125 shares of common stock at $0.20 per share. These securities had a cost basis of $711,200.
 
iLinc Communications, Inc. (AMEX:ILC)
2999 North 44th Street, Suite 650, Phoenix, AZ 85018

iLinc Communications, Inc. provides Web conferencing and audio conferencing software and services.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned a total of 23,266 shares of common stock having a cost basis of $13,908. In addition, the Fund owned a $500,000 12% Convertible Subordinated Note convertible into ILC common at a rate of $1.00 per share.
 
Integrated Security Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:IZZI)
2009 Chenault Drive, Suite 114, Carrollton, TX 75006
 
Integrated Security Systems, Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, distribution and servicing of security and traffic control products used in the commercial, industrial and government sectors.
 
In the second and fourth quarters of 2007, the Fund invested 750,000 in 8% convertible promissory notes.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned $1,650,000 of promissory notes, $500,000 of 8% convertible promissory notes, $400,000 of 6% convertible promissory notes, 7,500 shares of 9% preferred stock, convertible at $0.80 per share, with a cost basis of $150,000, 32,909,091 shares of common stock with a cost basis of $6,061,792, options to purchase 7,069 shares of common stock, warrants to purchase 514,706 shares of common stock at $0.34 per share and warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of common stock at exercise price of $0.40 per share.
 
Medical Action Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:MDCI)
800 Prime Place, Hauppauge, NY 11788
 
Medical Action Industries, Inc. develops, manufactures, markets and distributes a variety of disposable medical products.
 
17

 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned a total of 30,150 shares of MDCI common stock having a cost basis of $237,209.
 
Murdoch Security & Investigations, Inc. (Private)
2777 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905
 
Murdoch Security & Investigations, Inc. is a full service security company providing uniformed guard services and other custom security solutions to private and public sector clients throughout the northeastern United States.
 
During the third and fourth quarters of 2007, the Fund bought 2,000,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.70 per share for a total of $1,000,000.
 
At December 31, 2007, was no change in the Fund’s ownership of these securities.
 
Narrowstep, Inc. (OTCBB:NRWS)
202 Carnegie Center, Suite 101, Princeton, NJ 08540
 
Narrowstep, Inc. operates in the field of Internet-based video content delivery. The company develops, produces, transmits, and manages streaming video broadcasts via the Internet and television (TV) channels in Europe, Asia and the United States. 
 
During the third quarter of 2007, the Fund bought 4,000,000 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 2,000,000 shares of common stock at $0.50 for $1,000,000.  
 
At December 31, 2007, was no change in the Fund’s ownership of these securities.
 
Nutradyne Group, Inc. (OTCBB:NTRG)
927 Canada Court, City of Industry, CA 91748
 
Nutradyne Group, Inc. offers wholesale distribution of medicines in China. The company also operates retail pharmacy stores. The company’s products include traditional Chinese medicines, traditional Chinese medical teas, chemical pharmaceutics preparation, natural health products, healthy food, cosmetics and medical equipment. It owns and operates 14 retail medical stores in China. This company was formerly known as Digital Learning Institute, Inc. 
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund held 13,917 shares of the company’s common stock, with a cost basis of $12,500.
 
PetroHunter Energy Corporation (OTCBB:PHUN)
1875 Lawrence Street, Suite 1400, Denver, CO 80202
 
PetroHunter Energy Corporation engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties. It owns interest in the Buckskin Mesa project comprising 20,000 net acres in Rio Blanco County, the Piceance II project consisting of 27 producing nonoperated wells and 16 nonproducing operated wells, the South Bronco project and the Gibson Gulch project, Colorado. The company also holds various interests in Australia, including the Beetaloo project comprising 7 million net contiguous acres and the Northwest Shelf project, which consists of an exploration permit with 20,000 acres in Western Australia. 
 
18

 
During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Fund bought a $1,000,000 8.5% convertible debenture issued by PetroHunter. In connection with that purchase, the Fund also received warrants to purchase 6,666,667 shares of common stock at $0.255 per share.
 
At December 31, 2007, there was no change in the Fund’s ownership of these securities.

Pipeline Data, Inc. (OTCBB:PPDA)
1515 Hancock Street Suite 301, Quincy, MA 02169
 
Pipeline Data, Inc. provides merchant payment processing services and related software products in the United States. The Company delivers credit and debit card-based payment processing solutions primarily to small to medium-sized merchants that operate in physical ‘brick and mortar’ business environments, over the Internet, or in mobile or wireless settings through cellular-based wireless devices.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund held a $500,000 8% convertible debenture and warrants to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock at $1.40 per share.
 
Points International Ltd. (OTCBB:PTSEF)
179 John Street 8th Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 1X4
 
Points International, Ltd. owns and operates Points.com, an online loyalty program management portal that enables consumers to earn, buy, share, redeem, and swap and redeem miles and points with various loyalty programs and retail partners. 
 
During the first quarter of 2007, the Fund bought 100,000 shares of common stock for $64,000.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned a total of 900,000 shares of common stock having a cost basis of $492,000.
 
Shea Development Corporation (Nasdaq:SDLP)
1351 Dividend Drive, Suite G, Marietta, GA 30067
 
Shea Development Corporation provides business process management (BPM) software solutions and service offerings in the United States and internationally. It offers custom programming services to build configurable enterprise software solutions for revenue and financial management systems, enterprise application integration, user-interface frameworks, middle-tier frameworks, military and commercial modeling and simulation, and military C3 Centers (Command, Control, and Communications). After December 31, 2007, this company changed its name to Riptide Worldwide, Inc. (OTCBB:RTWW).
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 1,838,396 shares of the company’s common stock having a cost basis of $1,093,332.
 
19

 
Silverleaf Resorts, Inc. (Nasdaq:SVLF)
1221 River Bend Drive, Suite 120, Dallas, TX 75247
 
Silverleaf Resorts, Inc. engages in the development, marketing and operation of timeshare resorts in the United States. It operates resorts under the brands ‘getaway resorts’ and ‘destination resorts’. The company markets and sells vacation intervals in its resorts, which also offer amenities, such as fishing, boating, horseback riding, swimming, tennis and golf. 
 
During the first quarter of 2007, the Fund bought 100,000 shares of common stock for $430,000.
 
At December 31, 2007, the was no change in the Fund’s ownership of these securities.
 
Simtek Corporation (Nasdaq:SMTK)
4250 Buckingham Drive Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
 
Simtek Corporation, a fabless semiconductor company, engages in the design and marketing of re-programmable, nonvolatile semiconductor memory products. 
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned $700,000 in 7.5% convertible debentures having a conversion rate of $2.20 per share and 731,672 shares of common stock having a basis of $1,999,294. The Fund also owned warrants to purchase 59,242 shares, 8,588 of which are convertible at $3.30 per share, 12,500 at $12.50 per share, 12,500 at $15.00 per share, 6,667 at $5.00 per share and 18,987 at $5.40 per share. Finally, the fund held options to purchase 7,078 shares at prices ranging from $1.65 per share to $11.60 per share.  
 
Symbollon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:SMTK)
37 Loring Drive, Framingham, MA 01702
 
Symbollon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is engaged in the development of iodine-based products for infection control and treatment in biomedical and bio-agricultural industries. The company develops proprietary iodine technology that enhances the therapeutic index of iodine that has applications in women’s healthcare and infection control. The company also develops IodoZyme, a bovine teat sanitizer product and IoGen, an oral dosage for the prevention and treatment of certain female health problems, including various types of premenopausal breast cancer, fibrocystic breast disease and endometriosis.
 
In the third quarter of 2007, the Fund purchased 357,143 shares of common stock and warrants to purchase 357,143 shares of the company’s common stock at $1.00 per share for $250,000.
 
At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 607,143 shares of common stock having a basis of $500,000. The Fund also owned warrants to purchase 607,143 shares at $1.00 per share.
 
20

 
US Home Systems (Nasdaq:USHS) 
750 State Highway 121 Bypass, Suite 170, Lewisville, TX 75067
 
U.S. Home Systems, Inc. engages in the manufacture or procurement, design, sale and installation of specialty home improvement products in the United States. Its product lines include kitchen improvement products, such as cabinet doors, drawers, drawer fronts, drawer boxes, matching valances, molding, add-on or replacement cabinets, space organizers, lazy susans, and slide-out shelving and bathroom improvement products, including acrylic tub liners and wall surrounds, vanity cabinetry refacing and replacement vanity cabinets, bowls, faucets, commodes and shower doors.
 
During the second quarter, the Fund sold 55,000 shares of common stock for $662,811, realizing a gain of 403,599. 

At December 31, 2007, the Fund owned 55,000 shares of the company’s common stock having a cost basis of $276,375.
 
Vertical Branding, Inc. (OTCBB:VBDG)
16000 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 301, Encino, CA 91436

Vertical Branding, Inc. is a consumer product branding, marketing and distributing company in the United States. The company offers personal care, fitness, beauty and household products. It sells its products through its retail distribution business, catalogues, international distribution channels and other non-electronic distribution outlets.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Fund bought 1,666,667 shares of common stock for $1,000,000. In connection with that purchase, the Fund also received warrants to purchase 8333,333 shares of common stock at $1.00 and warrants to purchase 833,333 shares of common stock at $1.50 per share.
 
At December 31, 2007, was no change in the Fund’s ownership of these securities.

VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS

On a weekly basis, RENN Group prepares a valuation to determine fair value of the investments of the Fund. The Board of Directors of the Fund approves the valuation on a quarterly basis. Interim board involvement may occur if material issues arise before quarter end. The valuation principles are described below.

·
The common stock of companies listed on an exchange, Nasdaq or in the over-the-counter market is valued at the closing price on the date of valuation.

·
The unlisted preferred stock of companies with common stock listed on an exchange, Nasdaq or in the over-the-counter market is valued at the closing price of the common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible on the date of valuation.
 
21

 
·
Debt securities are valued at fair value. We consider, among other things, whether a debt issuer is in default or bankruptcy. We also consider the underlying collateral. Fair value is generally determined to be the greater of the face value of the debt or the market value of the underlying common stock into which the instrument may be converted.

·
The unlisted in-the-money options or warrants of companies with the underlying common stock listed on an exchange, Nasdaq or in the over-the-counter market are valued at fair value (the positive difference between the closing price of the underlying common stock and the strike price of the warrant or option). Fair value is generally determined to be the intrinsic value of the option or warrant. An out-of-the money warrant or option has no value; thus, we assign no value to it.

·
Investments in privately held entities are valued at fair value. If there is no independent and objective pricing authority (i.e. a public market) for such investments, fair value is based on the latest sale of equity securities to independent third parties. If a private entity does not have an independent value established over an extended period of time, then the Investment Adviser will determine fair value on the basis of appraisal procedures established in good faith and approved by the Board of Directors.

PERSONNEL

The Fund has no employees, but instead has contracted RENN Group pursuant to the Advisory Agreement to provide all management and operating activities. RENN Group currently has eleven employees who are engaged in performing the duties and functions required by the Fund. At the present time, a substantial portion of RENN Group’s staff time is devoted to activities of the Fund. However, because of the diversity of skills required, the Fund cannot afford to employ all these persons solely for its own needs, and therefore, these employees are not engaged solely in activities of the Fund.

No accurate data or estimate is available as to the percentage of time, individually or as a group, that will be devoted to the affairs of the Fund. The officers and employees have and will devote such time as is required, in their sole discretion, for the conduct of business, including the provision of management services to Portfolio Companies.

RENN Group currently serves as the Investment Manager to Renaissance US Growth Investment Trust PLC (“RUSGIT”). RUSGIT is a public limited company registered in the United Kingdom and listed on the London Stock Exchange. RUSGIT invests in privately placed convertible securities issued by companies similar to the investments of the Fund. RUSGIT invests pari-passu with the Fund on all relevant terms, except that amounts invested may differ.

RENN Group also serves as the Investment Adviser to US Special Opportunities Trust PLC (“USSOT”) and is specifically responsible for managing the Growth Portfolio for USSOT Growth (“USSOT Growth”). USSOT is a public limited company registered in the United Kingdom and listed on the London Stock Exchange. USSOT Growth invests in publicly traded equities, fixed-income and convertible securities of publicly traded issuers, and also invests in privately placed convertible instruments issued by companies similar to the investments of the Fund. For privately placed investments, USSOT Growth invests on a pari-passu basis with the Fund as to all relevant terms of the investment, except that amounts invested may differ.

RENN Group also serves as the Investment Adviser to Premier RENN US Emerging Growth Fund Limited (“PRENN”). PRENN is an open-end investment company registered with limited liability in Guernsey. PRENN invests primarily in privately placed equity and convertible debt securities issued by companies similar to the investments of the Fund. PRENN invests pari-passu with the Fund on all relevant terms, except that amounts invested may differ.
 
22


CODE OF ETHICS

The Fund and RENN Group have adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act applicable to all of their respective officers and employees. The Code of Ethics is on public file with, and is available from, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at (202)-942-8090, and this Code of Ethics is available on the EDGAR database as an exhibit to the Fund’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002, which is found on the Commission internet site at http://www.sec.gov. A copy of this Code of Ethics may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-0102. We have made the Fund’s Code of Ethics available on our website at www.renncapital.com.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

You should carefully consider the risks described below and all other information contained in this annual report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto before making a decision to purchase our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or not presently deemed material by us, may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. If that happens, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

We May be Unable to Participate in Certain Investment Opportunities. As a Business Development Company, we are required to invest at least 70% of our assets directly in “Eligible Portfolio Companies”. As a result, we will be unable to make new investments in companies that are not considered Eligible Portfolio Companies if at any time we have less than 70% of our portfolio invested in companies that are Eligible Portfolio Companies.

Our Growth is Dependent on Investing in Quality Transactions. Sustaining growth depends on our ability to identify, evaluate, finance, and invest in companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing such results on a cost-effective basis is a function of our marketing capabilities and skillful management of the investment process. Failure to achieve future growth could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
 
23


Failure to Invest Capital Effectively May Decrease Our Stock Price. If we fail to invest our capital effectively, our return on equity may be decreased, which could reduce the price of the shares of our common stock.

Highly Competitive Market for Investments. The Fund has significant competition for investment opportunities. Competitive sources for growth capital for the industry include insurance companies, banks, equipment leasing firms, investment bankers, venture capital and private equity funds, money managers, hedge funds, and private investors. Many of these sources have substantially greater financial resources than are available to the Fund. Therefore, the Fund will have to compete for investment opportunities based on its ability to respond to the needs of the prospective portfolio company and its willingness to provide management assistance. In some instances, the Fund’s requirements that the Fund provide management assistance will cause the Fund to be non-competitive.

Lack of Publicly Available Information on Certain Portfolio Companies. Some of the securities in our portfolio are issued by privately held companies. There is generally little or no publicly available information about such companies, and we must rely on the diligence of our management to obtain the information necessary for our decision to invest. There can be no assurance that such diligence efforts will uncover all material information necessary to make fully informed investment decisions.

Dependence on Key Management. Selecting, structuring and closing our investments depends upon the diligence and skill of our management, which is responsible for identifying, evaluating, negotiating, monitoring and disposing of our investments. Our management's capabilities will significantly impact our results of operations. If we lose any member of our management team and he or she cannot be promptly replaced with an equally capable team member, our results of operations could be significantly impacted.

Failure to Deploy Capital May Lower Returns. Our failure to successfully deploy sufficient capital may reduce our return on equity.

Results May Fluctuate. Our operating results may fluctuate materially due to a number of factors including, among others, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our portfolio companies’ markets, the ability to find and close suitable investments, and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.

Uncertain Value of Certain Restricted Securities. Our net asset value is based on the values assigned to the various investments in our portfolio, determined in good faith by our board of directors. Because of the inherent uncertainty of the valuation of portfolio securities which do not have readily ascertainable market values, our fair value determinations may differ materially from the values which would be applicable to unrestricted securities having a public market.
 
24


Illiquid Securities May Adversely Affect Our Business. Our portfolio contains securities which are subject to restrictions on sale because they were acquired from issuers in "private placement" transactions or because we are deemed to be an affiliate of the issuer. Unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 is available, we will not be able to sell these securities publicly without the expense and time required to register the securities under applicable federal and state securities laws. In addition, contractual or practical limitations may restrict our ability to liquidate our securities in portfolio companies, because we may own a relatively large percentage of the issuer's outstanding securities. Sales may also be limited by unfavorable market conditions. The illiquidity of our investments may preclude or delay the disposition of such securities, which may make it difficult for us to obtain cash equal to the value at which we record our investments.

Regulated Industry. Publicly traded investment funds are highly regulated. Changes in securities laws or regulations governing our operations or our failure to comply with those laws or regulations may adversely affect our business.

Failure to Qualify for Favorable Tax Treatment. We may not qualify for pass-through tax treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") if we are unable to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would subject the Fund to federal income tax as if it were an ordinary corporation, which would result in a substantial reduction in both the Fund’s net assets and the amount of income available for distribution to stockholders. The loss of this pass-through tax treatment could have a material adverse effect on the total return, if any, obtainable from an investment in our common stock.

Highly Leveraged Portfolio Companies. Some of our portfolio companies could incur substantial indebtedness in relation to their overall capital base. Such indebtedness often requires the balance of the loan to be refinanced when it matures. If portfolio companies cannot generate adequate cash flow to meet the principal and interest payments on their indebtedness, the value of our investments could be reduced or eliminated through foreclosure on the portfolio company's assets or by the portfolio company's reorganization or bankruptcy.

Our Common Stock Often Trades at a Discount. The Fund’s stock frequently trades at a discount from net asset value. Stockholders desiring liquidity usually sell their shares at current market value, and therefore may not realize the full net asset value of their shares. This is a risk separate and distinct from the risk that a fund's performance may cause its net asset value to decrease.

Nature of Investment in Our Common Stock. Our stock is intended for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation. Our investments in portfolio securities generally require some time to reach maturity, and such investments generally are illiquid. An investment in our shares should not be considered a complete investment program. Each prospective purchaser should take into account his or her investment objectives as well as his or her other investments when considering the purchase of our shares.

25

 
Our Stock Price May Fluctuate Significantly. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly. The market price and marketability of shares of our common stock may from time to time be significantly affected by numerous factors, including our investment results, market conditions, and other influences and events over which we have no control and that may not be directly related to us.

Failure to Meet Listing Standards. We are current in our SEC filings, and we believe we have met all our listing requirements on the American Stock Exchange. However, there can be no assurance that we will continue to meet the American Stock Exchange listing standards or any other listing standards and the stock could be delisted.
 
Item 2. Properties

The Fund’s business activities are conducted from the offices of RENN Group, which offices are currently leased until November 30, 2010 in a multi-story general office building in Dallas, Texas. The use of such office facilities, including office furniture, phone services, computer equipment, and files are provided by RENN Group at its expense pursuant to the Advisory Agreement.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings
 
None

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None.

26


 
Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

TRADING

The Fund’s common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under the ticker RCG. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sale prices for the Common Stock as: (i) reported on Bloomberg and (ii) adjusted for dividends. The prices listed as “adjusted for dividends” were derived by (i) using the average price per share during the period, and (ii) adding to the share price all dividends paid on the shares since the inception of the Fund in 1994.
 
   
As Stated
 
Adjusted For Dividends
 
 
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
 
                   
First quarter 2007
 
$
9.00
 
$
10.15
 
$
24.62
 
$
25.77
 
Second quarter 2007
 
$
8.85
 
$
9.50
 
$
24.47
 
$
25.12
 
Third quarter 2007
 
$
7.75
 
$
9.05
 
$
23.37
 
$
24.67
 
Fourth quarter 2007
 
$
5.90
 
$
7.98
 
$
21.62
 
$
23.60
 
                           
First quarter 2006
 
$
9.90
 
$
13.00
 
$
23.81
 
$
26.81
 
Second quarter 2006
 
$
9.80
 
$
11.08
 
$
23.81
 
$
25.09
 
Third quarter 2006
 
$
10.40
 
$
11.61
 
$
24.41
 
$
25.72
 
Fourth quarter 2006
 
$
10.50
 
$
11.61
 
$
24.66
 
$
26.12
 
 
The following section contains more information regarding the dividends the Fund has paid since inception.

DIVIDENDS

In the past, the Fund has provided returns to stockholders through cash dividends and deemed dividends of its net investment income and realized gains. At December 31, 2007, the Fund has declared a total of $13.91 per share in cash dividends to its stockholders since inception in 1994. Since inception the fund has declared deemed dividends of $4.98 per share and paid taxes of $1.74 per share on behalf of stockholders on these dividends for a net deemed dividend of $3.24 per share deemed paid to stockholders.

The Fund has no fixed dividend policy. The Fund’s Board of Directors will periodically consider the declaration of either a cash dividend or a deemed dividend. “Deemed dividends” are declared dividends of realized capital gains that are retained in the Fund for investment and are deemed by the IRS to be distributed to the Fund’s stockholders if the Fund transmits 35% of the deemed dividends to the IRS as tax deposits on behalf of the stockholders and advises the stockholders how to apply the tax deposit to their personal taxes for that year. Under the Internal Revenue Code the Fund must withhold taxes at the maximum corporate rate of 35% and the remainder of the dividend is retained by the Fund for investment. The stockholders are allowed to increase their basis in their holdings by their share of the amount retained for investment, and to claim as a tax payment the portion of the withholdings remitted by the Fund to the IRS on their behalf.
 
27


During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund realized taxable net long-term capital gains of $4,689,640 or $1.05 per share. From these net capital gains, cash dividends of $0.10 per share were distributed. In addition to the cash dividend, the Fund elected to retain $4,243,244 of net capital gains and designated this amount as a deemed dividend paid to stockholders of record on December 31, 2007. The Fund paid federal income taxes on behalf of stockholders of 35% of the deemed dividend amount, equal to $1,485,135 or $0.33 per share.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
 
Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Reinvestment Plan”) any stockholders whose shares are registered in their own names will be deemed to have elected to have all dividends and distributions automatically reinvested in Fund shares pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan unless and except for each such stockholder who individually elects to receive such on a current basis in lieu of reinvestment. In the case of stockholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold shares for others who are beneficial owners (“Nominee Stockholders”), the Plan Agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Co. (the “Plan Agent”) will administer the Reinvestment Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified by such Nominee Stockholders as registered for stockholders that have not elected to receive dividends and distributions in cash.
 
Investors that own shares registered in the name of a Nominee Stockholder should consult with such nominee as to participation or withdrawal from such plan.
 
All communications regarding the Reinvestment Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent.
 
NUMBER OF HOLDERS

As of December 31, 2007, there were approximately 646 record holders of the Fund’s common stock. This total does not include stockholders with shares held under beneficial ownership in nominee name or within clearinghouse positions of brokerage firms or banks.


28


Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following selected financial data for the period January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2007 is derived from the Fund’s audited Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s Financial Statements and Notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
   
Selected Financial Data 
 
   
 2007
 
 2006
 
 2005
 
 2004
 
 2003
 
Gross income (loss), including net realized gain (loss)
 
$
4,215,319
 
$
14,444,683
 
$
6,569,365
 
$
14,514,741
 
$
11,670,287
 
Net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments
   
(12,797,981
)
 
(13,339,923
)
 
(19,537,884
)
 
9,397,996
   
20,137,393
 
Net income (loss)
   
(10,161,897
)
 
(4,035,913
)
 
(16,023,666
)
 
18,971,481
   
28,741,964
 
Net income (loss) per share
   
(2.28
)
 
(0.90
)
 
(3.60
)
 
4.36
   
6.60
 
Total assets
   
40,123,140
   
58,649,555
   
62,548,375
   
117,387,109
   
101,866,011
 
Net assets
   
37,759,148
   
48,367,442
   
54,188,943
   
74,582,499
   
69,405,964
 
Net assets per share
   
8.46
   
10.84
   
12.14
   
17.14
   
15.95
 
                                 
  
   
 Selected Per Share Data 
 
   
 2007
 
 2006
 
 2005
 
 2004
 
 2003
 
Investment income
   
0.19
   
0.21
   
0.14
   
0.15
   
0.46
 
Operating expenses
   
(0.36
)
 
(1.14
)
 
(0.66
)
 
(1.12
)
 
(0.70
)
Interest expense
   
0.00
   
(0.01
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(0.02
)
 
(0.01
)
Net investment loss
   
(0.17
)
 
(0.94
)
 
(0.54
)
 
(0.98
)
 
(0.25
)
Cash distributions from net capital gains
   
(0.10
)
 
(0.40
)
 
(1.33
)
 
(3.17
)
 
(1.25
)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
   
1.09
   
4.43
   
1.33
   
3.18
   
2.22
 
Taxes paid on behalf of stockholders
   
(0.33
)
 
(1.41
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
 
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation of investments
   
(2.87
)
 
(2.99
)
 
(4.38
)
 
2.16
   
4.64
 
Increase (decrease) in net asset value
   
(2.38
)
 
(1.30
)
 
(5.00
)
 
1.19
   
5.36
 
Capital stock transactions
   
0.00
   
0.00
   
0.35
   
0.00
   
0.00
 
Effect of share change
   
0.00
   
0.00
   
(0.43
)
 
0.00
   
0.00
 
Net Asset Value:
                               
Beginning of year
   
10.84
   
12.14
   
17.14
   
15.95
   
10.59
 
End of year
   
8.46
   
10.84
   
12.14
   
17.14
   
15.95
 
 
29

 
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

GENERAL

The primary purpose of the Fund is to provide capital to emerging growth public companies whose ability to service the securities is sufficient to provide income to the Fund and whose growth potential is sufficient to provide opportunity for long-term capital appreciation.

AMENDMENT TO ADVISORY AGREEMENT

On March 1, 2007, the Fund and RENN Group entered into an amendment to the Advisory Agreement. The amendment clarified that the Fund will pay RENN Group an incentive fee in an amount equal to 20% of all net realized capital gains, if any, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation of the Fund. The calculation of the incentive fee does not incorporate any offset of unrealized capital depreciation by unrealized capital appreciation. The effect of the use of this method to calculate the incentive fee is that each year, the cumulative performance of the Fund since its inception will provide the basis for the calculation of the incentive fee.

The Agreement also clarified that the base management fee paid to RENN Group will be assessed following the assessment of the incentive fee. Thus, the base management fee will be calculated net of any incentive fee payable.

SOURCES OF OPERATING INCOME

The operating income for the Fund is investment income, either in the form of interest on debentures, dividends on stock, or interest on securities held pending investment in portfolio companies. The Fund primarily generates income through capital gains. Furthermore, the Fund in some cases receives due diligence, commitment, and closing fees, as well as other similar types of revenue. Director’s compensation received by RENN Group (or its personnel) for services to a Portfolio Company on behalf of the Fund is paid to the Fund.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund invested $6,837,813 in nine (9) new portfolio investments and invested an additional $2,488,233 in follow-on investments in eight (8) portfolio companies. Cash dividends declared to stockholders in 2007 amounted to $446,397 or $0.10 per share. In addition to the cash dividends, the Fund elected to retain $4,243,244 of capital gains and has designated them as a deemed dividend paid to stockholders of record on December 31, 2007. The Fund paid federal income taxes on behalf of the stockholders on the undistributed realized gains at a rate of 35%, equivalent to $1,485,135 or $0.33 per share. During 2007, gains were realized from the sale of securities of China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc., Comtech Group, Gasco Energy, Inc., Inyx, Inc., and US Home Systems, offset by realized losses from the sale of securities of AdStar, Inc., Advance Nanotech, Inc., Gaming & Entertainment Group, Inc., PracticeXpert, Inc., and Vaso Active Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Net operating loss for 2007 was $10,161,897 and net cash used in operating activities was $11,155,551. The Fund did not issue any new shares pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment Plan during the year ended December 31, 2007. However, those stockholders who participated in the dividend reinvestment plan purchased 25,200 shares in the open market from cash dividends paid in 2007.
 
30


At December 31, 2007, the Fund had $3,679,949 in cash and cash equivalents, and $2,363,992 in liabilities.  RENN Group believes that current cash and securities levels are sufficient to pay expenses as they come due and to make investments.

The majority of the Fund’s investments in Portfolio Companies are individually negotiated, are initially not registered for public trading, and are subject to legal and contractual investment restrictions. Accordingly, many of the Portfolio Investments are considered non-liquid. This lack of liquidity primarily affects the ability to make new investments.

From time to time, funds or securities are deposited in margin accounts and invested in government securities. Government securities used as cash equivalents typically consist of U. S. Treasury securities or other U. S. Government and Agency obligations having slightly higher yields and maturity dates of three months or less when purchased. These investments qualify for investment as permitted in Section 55(a)(1) through (5) of the 1940 Act. These securities are generally valued at market price as market prices are generally available for these securities.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

2007 Compared to 2006

During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Fund made additional portfolio investments aggregating $9,326,046 compared to $4,116,806 in 2006. The Fund realized proceeds from the sale of investments in the amount of $8,792,947 compared to $20,932,760 in 2006. The Fund’s 2007 net loss of $10,161,897 is due to a combination of a net investment loss of $752,646, net decrease in unrealized appreciation on investments of $12,797,981, and net realized gain on investments (net of income tax paid on behalf of the stockholders of $1,485,135) of $3,388,730.

Interest income increased from $340,145 during 2006 to $345,510 during 2007. Dividend income during 2007 was $432,478 compared to $584,139 for 2006. The decrease was primarily due to fewer dividends being earned on the lower cash equivalent balances. Commitment and other fee income increased to $48,601 in 2007 from $27,684 in 2006.

Legal and professional fees decreased 45.7%, from $651,701 in 2006 to $354,127 for 2007, primarily due to a reduction in audit and consulting services during 2007 (the Fund’s 2003 through 2005 audits were completed during 2006). There is no incentive fee due to the Adviser for 2007 compared to $3,157,367 in 2006, primarily due to aggregate net realized gains being offset by capital unrealized depreciation in 2007. Management fees decreased to $792,545 in 2007 from $935,776 in 2006, a decrease of 15.3% due to the reduction in net asset values in 2007 as a result of capital gains dividends and lower portfolio values in 2007.
 
31


A net loss of $4,035,913 in 2006 increased to a net loss of $10,161,897 in 2007. The Fund had a net realized gain on investments (net of income tax paid on behalf of the stockholders of $1,485,135) of $3,388,730 in 2007, compared to $13,492,715 in 2006. In 2006 the Fund’s net change in unrealized depreciation on investments was $13,339,923, compared to $12,797,981 in 2007. The variance is due to lower portfolio market values on investments held at year end.
 
2006 Compared to 2005

During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Fund made additional portfolio investments aggregating $4,116,806 compared to $5,038,466 in 2005. The Fund realized proceeds from the sale of investments in the amount of $20,932,760 compared to $13,632,705 in 2005. The Fund’s 2006 net loss of $4,035,913 is due to a combination of a net investment loss of $4,188,705, net decrease in unrealized appreciation on investments of $13,339,923, and net realized gain on investments (net of income tax paid on behalf of the stockholders of $6,302,806) of $13,492,715.

Interest income increased 79.5%, from $189,496 in 2005 to $340,145 in 2006. During 2006 the Fund made new debt investments, and in 2005 the Fund realized a loss on interest receivable for Digital Learning Management Corporation and Advanced Refractive Technologies, Inc. (formerly VisiJet). Dividend income during 2006 was $584,139 compared to $193,402 for 2005. The increase was primarily due to dividends earned on higher cash equivalent balances from proceeds from the sale of Laserscope common stock. Commitment and other fee income decreased to $27,684 in 2006 from $255,146 in 2005.

On December 6, 2005, RENN Group entered into a settlement agreement with the SEC with respect to the calculation of the advisory fees paid by the Fund under the Advisory Agreement (the “SEC Settlement”). Fee income for 2005 was greater than for 2006 primarily due to a penalty payment of $100,000 to the Fund by Renn Group under the SEC Settlement, a late filing fee paid to the Fund by Gaming & Entertainment Group, Inc., and a refund of advisory fees previously paid to RENN Group for prior periods.

Legal and professional fees increased 120.7%, from $295,305 in 2005 to $651,701 for 2006, primarily due to an increase in accounting and consulting fees resulting from the completion of the audits for the Fund’s fiscal years 2003 through 2005 (all of which were completed in 2006), offset by a decrease in legal fees and insurance expense. Incentive fees increased 159.6%, to $3,157,367 in 2006 compared to $1,216,467 in 2005 primarily due to greater net realized capital gains achieved on investments during 2006, primarily from the sale of Laserscope. Management fees decreased to $935,776 in 2006 from $1,112,927 in 2005, a decrease of 15.9% due to lower portfolio market values.

Net loss of $16,023,666 in 2005 decreased to a net loss of $4,035,913 in 2006. The Fund had a net realized gain on investments (net of income tax paid on behalf of the stockholders of $6,302,806) of $13,492,715 in 2006, compared to $5,931,321 in 2005. The Fund experienced a decrease in net decrease in unrealized appreciation on investments of $19,537,884 in 2005, compared to a net decrease in unrealized appreciation on investments in 2006 of $13,339,923. The variance is due to lower portfolio market values on investments held at year end.
 
32

 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The Fund has a contract for the purchase of services under which it will have future commitments: the Advisory Agreement, pursuant to which RENN Group has agreed to serve as the Fund’s Investment Adviser. Such agreement has contractual obligations with fees which are based on values of the portfolio investments which the Fund owns. For further information regarding the Fund’s obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement, see Note 4 of the Financial Statements.

Because the Fund does not enter into other long-term debt obligations, capital lease obligations, operating lease obligations, or purchase obligations that would otherwise be reflected on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, a table of contractual obligations has not been presented.
 
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

The Fund is subject to financial market risks, including changes in market interest rates as well as changes in marketable equity security prices. The Fund does not use derivative financial instruments to mitigate any of these risks. The return on the Fund’s investments is generally not affected by foreign currency fluctuations.

A majority of the Fund’s net assets consists of common stocks and warrants and options to purchase common stock in publicly traded companies. These investments are directly exposed to equity price risk, in that a percentage change in these equity prices would result in a similar percentage change in the fair value of these securities.

A lesser percentage of the Fund’s net assets consist of fixed-rate convertible debentures and other debt instruments as well as convertible preferred securities. Since these instruments are generally priced at a fixed rate, changes in market interest rates do not directly impact interest income, although they could impact the Fund’s yield on future investments in debt instruments. In addition, changes in market interest rates are not typically a significant factor in the Fund’s determination of fair value of its debt instruments, as it is generally assumed they will be held to maturity, and their fair values are determined on the basis of the terms of the particular instrument and the financial condition of the issuer.

A small percentage of the Fund’s net assets consist of equity investments in private companies. The Fund would anticipate no impact on these investments from modest changes in public market equity prices. However, should significant changes in market prices occur, there could be a longer-term effect on valuations of private companies which could affect the carrying value and the amount and timing of proceeds realized on these investments.
 
33


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The financial statements filed as part of this report are listed in “Index to Financial Statements” on page F-1 hereof.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
 
None.

Item 9A(T). Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) required by Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date to provide reasonable assurance that the information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decision regarding required disclosure.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report based on the framework in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that assessment, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statement for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, KBA Group LLP, has not issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting.

34


Evaluation of Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information.

None.

35


Part III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant.

Directors

Pursuant to the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Board of Directors consists of five directors and is divided into three classes, with each class to serve for a three-year term or until a successor is elected. The term of office of the Class One directors will expire at the 2007 annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office of the Class Two directors will expire at the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders, and the term of office of the Class Three directors will expire at the 2009 annual meeting of stockholders.

Because the Board of Directors is divided into classes, only those directors in a single class may be changed in any one year. Consequently, changing a majority of the Board of Directors would require two years (although under Texas law, procedures exist to remove directors, even if they are not then standing for reelection and, under SEC regulations, procedures exist for including appropriate stockholder proposals in the annual proxy statement). Having a classified Board of Directors, which may be regarded as an “anti-takeover” provision, may make it more difficult for stockholders of the Fund to change the majority of directors, thus having the effect of maintaining the continuity of management.

Class One Directors - Term expires at the 2007 Annual Meeting

Peter Collins, age 63, has been a financial and management consultant to closely-held businesses for the past ten years in the USA, the UK, and Europe, in areas of finance, start-ups, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions. He has advised companies in every segment of industry (including manufacturing, distribution, service, agriculture, construction, and multimedia) and in all stages of development (from start-up to bankruptcy). Mr. Collins was educated in England, where he received a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Liverpool University and a M.Sc. in Business Administration from The City University, London. He has served as a Class One Director since 1994.

J. Philip McCormick, age 65, has been an independent investor and corporate advisor since 1999; He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Highway Master Communication, Inc. from 1997 to 1998; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Enserch Exploration, Inc. from 1995 to 1997; Senior Vice President - Transmission of Lone Star Gas Company, a division of Enserch Corporation, from 1993 to 1995; Senior Vice President — Finance of Lone Star Gas Company from 1991 to 1993; and Audit Partner, member of senior management and member of the Board of Directors of KPMG and KMG Main Hurdman from 1973 to 1991. He has served as a Class One Director since 2006.

Class Two Director - Term expires at the 2008 Annual Meeting

Charles C. Pierce, Jr., age 73, is the retired Vice-Chairman of Dain Rauscher, Inc., and he worked in the securities industries for 42 years. Mr. Pierce was a former president on the Texas Stock & Bond Dealers Association, an organization that advised the Texas Legislature on certain industry matters. He was also chairman of the South Central District of the Security Industry Association covering Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas and Colorado. He is a private investor. He has served as a Class Two Director since 2002.

36


Class Three Directors - Term Expires at the 2009 Annual Meeting

Russell Cleveland, age 69, is the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of the Fund since 1994. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst with more than 35 years experience as a specialist in investments in smaller capitalization companies. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business, Mr. Cleveland has served as President of the Dallas Association of Investment Analysts. Mr. Cleveland is also the President, Chief Executive Officer, sole Director, and the majority stockholder of RENN Group, the Investment Adviser to the Fund. RENN Group is also the Investment Manager of Renaissance US Growth Investment Trust PLC (“RUSGIT”) and the Investment Adviser to US Special Opportunities Trust PLC, investment trusts listed on the London Stock Exchange, and Premier RENN US Emerging Growth Fund Limited, an open-ended investment company registered with limited liability in Guernsey. Mr. Cleveland also serves on the Boards of Directors of RUSGIT, CaminoSoft Corp., Cover-All Technologies, Inc., Integrated Security Systems, Inc., Access Plans USA, Inc.. He has served as a Class Three Director since 1994.

Ernest C. Hill, age 67, has a broad background in convertible securities analysis with major NYSE brokerage firms and institutional investors. He specializes in computer-aided investment analysis and administrative procedures. Mr. Hill was awarded a Ford Fellowship to the Stanford School of Business, where he received an MBA, with honors, in Investment and Finance. Mr. Hill’s prior experience includes service as Assistant Professor of Finance, Southern Methodist University and Associate Director of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking. He has served as a Class Three Director since 1994.

The Board of Directors has determined that all of the Fund’s directors, other than Russell Cleveland, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fund, are independent directors. Certain information concerning the Fund’s directors is set forth below:

37

 

Name, Address(1)
and Age
 
Positions
Held
with Fund
 
 
Director’s
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal
Occupation(s)
During
Past 5
Years
 
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Director
 
Other
Director-
ships Held by Director
Peter Collins
Age 63
 
 
Director
 
 
Class One Director since 1994. Term expires at 2007 Annual Meeting.
 
Consultant
 
 
1
 
 
None
 
                     
J. Philip McCormick
Age 65
 
 
Director
 
 
Class One Director since 2006. Term expires at 2007 Annual Meeting.
 
Consultant
 
 
1
 
 
None
 
                     
Charles C. Pierce, Jr.
Age 73
 
 
Director
 
 
Class Two Director since 2002. Term expires at 2008 Annual Meeting.
 
Retired Vice-Chairman of Dain Rauscher and private investor
 
 
1
 
 
None
 
                     
Ernest C. Hill
Age 67
 
Director
 
 
Class Three Director since 1994. Term expires at 2009 Annual Meeting.
 
Consultant
 
 
1
 
 
None
 
                     
 
38

 
Name, Address(1)
and Age
 
Positions
Held
with Fund
 
Director’s
Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served
 
Principal
Occupation(s)
During
Past 5
Years
   
Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Director
   
Other
Director-
ships Held by Director
                     
Interested Director:
                   
                     
Russell Cleveland(2)
Age 69
 
 
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer,
and Director
 
Class Three Director since 1994. Term expires at 2009 Annual Meeting
 
President & Chief Executive Officer of RENN Group
 
4
 
 
RUSGIT, BPO Management Services, Inc., CaminoSoft Corp., Cover-All Technologies, Inc., Integrated Security Systems, Inc., Access Plans USA, Inc.
 

(1)
The address of all such persons is c/o RENN Capital Group, Inc., 8080 North Central Expressway, Suite 210, LB-59, Dallas, Texas 75206.
   
(2)
Mr. Cleveland is also President and CEO of RENN Capital Group, Inc. See “Information About the Fund’s Officers and the Investment Adviser.”
   
 
   Name of Director 
 
  Dollar Range* of Equity Securitiesin the Fund 
 
 Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities inFunds in Fund Complex* 
 
 Peter Collins 
 
 
$10,001 to $50,000
 
 
$10,001 to $50,000
 
 J. Philip McCormick 
 
 
$10,001 to $50,000
 
 
$10,001 to $50,000
 
 Charles C. Pierce, Jr. 
 
 
$10,001 to $50,000
 
 
$10,001 to $50,000
 
Ernest C. Hill      
$0
   
$0
 
 Russell Cleveland  
 
 
0ver $100,000
 
 
0ver $100,000
 
 

*As of December 31, 2007
 
39

 
Committees and Meetings

The Board of Directors held eighteen (18) meetings or executed consent actions in lieu of meetings during 2007, and each director attended or executed at least seventy-five per cent (75%) of these meetings and consent actions.

The Audit Committee

During 2007, the Audit Committee consisted of Ernest C. Hill Chairman, Peter Collins, Charles C. Pierce, Jr. and J. Philip McCormick. The Audit Committee held nine (9) meetings in 2007. The Audit Committee is comprised entirely of independent directors, and is appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Audit Committee’s primary duties and responsibilities are to:
 
 
·
appoint and approve the compensation of the Fund’s independent auditors, including those to be retained for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit review or attestation services for the Fund;
 
 
·
review the scope of the audit services of the Fund’s independent auditors, and the annual results of their audits;
 
 
·
monitor the independence and performance of the Fund’s independent auditors;
 
 
·
generally oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Fund and the audits of its financial statements;
 
 
·
review the reports and recommendations of the Fund’s independent auditors;
 
 
·
provide an avenue of communication among the independent auditors, management and the Board of Directors; and
 
 
·
address any matters between the Fund and its independent auditors regarding financial reporting.
 
The Fund’s independent auditors must report directly to the Audit Committee.
 
The Board of Directors has determined that J. Philip McCormick satisfies the standard for “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the rules of the SEC. The SEC rules provide that audit committee financial experts do not have any additional duties, obligations or liabilities and are not considered experts under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.
 
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was created in January 2004 and is responsible for nominating individuals to serve as directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is composed entirely of independent Fund directors. Its members are Chairman Charles C. Pierce, Jr., Ernest C. Hill, and Peter Collins.

40

 
The Committee considers and recommends nominees for election as directors of the Fund. Stockholders wishing to recommend qualified candidates for consideration by the Fund may do so by writing to the Secretary of the Fund at the address shown in the Notice providing the candidate’s name, biographical data and qualifications. In its assessment of each potential candidate, the Committee reviews the nominee’s judgment, experience, independence, financial literacy, knowledge of emerging growth companies, understanding of the Fund and its investment objectives and such other factors as the Committee may determine. The Committee also takes into account the ability of a director to devote the time and effort necessary to fulfill his or her responsibilities. At the direction of the Board of Directors, the Committee also considers various corporate governance policies and procedures.

Officers

Russell Cleveland, age 69, has served as Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, and a Class Three director of the Fund since 1994. He has also served as the President, Chief Executive Officer, sole Director, and the majority stockholder of RENN Group since 1994. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst with more than 35 years experience as a specialist in investments for smaller capitalization companies. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business, Mr. Cleveland has served as President of the Dallas Association of Investment Analysts. Mr. Cleveland also serves on the Boards of Directors of Renaissance US Growth Investment Trust PLC, BPO Management Services, Inc., CaminoSoft Corp., Tutogen Medical, Inc., Cover-All Technologies, Inc., Integrated Security Systems, Inc., and Access Plans USA, Inc.
 
Barbe Butschek, age 53, has served as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Fund since 1994. She currently serves as Senior Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of RENN Group and has served with RENN Group in various capacities since 1977.

Robert C. Pearson, age 72, has served as Vice President of the Fund since April 1997. He joined RENN Group in April 1997 and is Senior Vice-President - Investments. Mr. Pearson brought more than thirty years of experience to RENN Group’s corporate finance function. From May 1994 to May 1997, Mr. Pearson was an independent financial management consultant. From May 1990 to May 1994, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice-President of Thomas Group, Inc., a management consulting firm, where he was instrumental in moving a small privately held company from a start-up to a public company with more than $40 million in revenues. Prior to 1990, Mr. Pearson was responsible for all administrative activities for the Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory. In addition, from 1960 to 1985, Mr. Pearson served in a variety of positions at Texas Instruments in financial planning and analysis, holding such positions as Vice-President - Controller and Vice-President - Finance. Mr. Pearson holds a BS in Business from the University of Maryland and was a W.A. Paton Scholar with an MBA from the University of Michigan. He is a director of eOriginal, Inc., CaminoSoft Corp., Information Intellect, Simtek Corporation and Vertical Branding.

41

 
Scott E. Douglass, age 49, has served as a Vice President of the Fund since November 2004. He has worked for three sell-side firms in the roles of institutional sales and investment banking. Prior to that he was a commercial loan officer for the First National Bank of Boston and Fleet Financial Group which are now part of Bank of America. He holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College.

Z. Eric Stephens, age 39, has served as a Vice President of RENN Group since January 2006 and a Vice President of the Fund since August 2006. His responsibilities with RENN Group include due diligence, portfolio monitoring and portfolio selection. Previously, Mr. Stephens was a director with CBIZ Valuation Group, a national valuation consulting firm. While with CBIZ, he valued public and private companies, performed purchase price allocations and goodwill impairment tests, wrote fairness opinions and solvency opinions and acted as an expert witness. Prior to working for CBIZ, Mr. Stephens was a staff accountant with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. While with the SEC, he conducted on-site examinations of investment companies and investment advisers. Mr. Stephens has a BA in economics and finance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and an MBA from Texas A&M University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Fund's officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Fund's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Fund with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. The Fund believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, all other Section 16(a) filings relating to the Fund's Common Stock applicable to its officers, directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners were timely filed.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The Fund has no employees, and therefore does not compensate any employees. Officers of the Fund receive no compensation from the Fund. The Fund has never issued options or warrants to officers or directors of the Fund. The Fund does not have any stock option plan or similar plan, retirement or pension plan, or any other form of compensatory plan for employees. Instead, the Fund has contracted with RENN Group pursuant to the Advisory Agreement to provide all management and operating activities.  

42


DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Directors who are not employees of either the Fund or RENN Group receive a monthly fee of $2,000 ($3,000 per month for the Chairman of the Audit Committee), plus $750 and out-of-pocket expenses for each quarterly valuation meeting attended. The Fund does not pay any fees to, or reimburse expenses of, its directors who are considered “interested persons” of the Fund. The aggregate compensation for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2007, that the Fund paid each director, and the aggregate compensation paid to each director for the most recently completed fiscal year by other funds to which RENN Group provided investment advisory services is set forth below:
  
Name
   
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash 
 
 
Stock Awards 
 
 
Option Awards  
 
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation 
 
 
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings 
 
 
All Other Compensation  
 
 
Total 
 
Russell Cleveland (1)
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
Peter Collins
 
$
26,000
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
26,000
 
Ernest C. Hill
 
$
36,000
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
36,000
 
Charles C. Pierce, Jr.
 
$
26,000
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
26,000
 
J. Philip McCormick
 
$
26,000
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
0
 
$
26,000
 
 

(1) Mr. Cleveland is President and Chief Executive Officer of RENN Group and a 5% beneficial owner of the Fund.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.

The Fund has no equity compensation plans. The following table sets forth certain information known to the Fund with respect to beneficial ownership of the Fund’s Common Stock as of December 31, 2007 (i) for all persons who are beneficial owners of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund’s Common Stock (ii) each director and nominee for director of the Fund; and (iii) all executive officers and directors of the Fund as a group:

 
 
Name of Beneficial Owner
 
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Directly or Indirectly
 
 
Percent
of Class
 
Russell Cleveland, Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director(1)
   
412,770
(2)
 
9.3
%
Peter Collins, Director
   
2,341
(3)
 
0.1
%
Charles C. Pierce, Jr., Director
   
2,250
   
0.1
%
Ernest C. Hill, Director
   
0
   
0.0
%
J. Philip McCormick, Director
   
3,500
   
0.1
%
 
43

 
 
 
 
Name of Beneficial Owner
 
Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Directly or Indirectly
 
 
Percent
of Class
 
All directors and officers of the Fund as a group (9 persons)
   
432,452
   
9.6
%
 

(1)
“Interested person” as defined by the 1940 Act.
   
(2)
Consists of 33,502 shares owned by the Cleveland Family Limited Partnership and 335,468 shares owned by RENN Investment Limited Partnership and 43,800 shares owned by RENN Capital Group, Inc.
   
(3)
Includes 130 shares owned by Hilary Collins, Mr. Collins’ spouse.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.

RENN Group provides investment advisory services to the Fund pursuant to the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and RENN Group. The Advisory Agreement is reviewed and approved annually by the Fund’s Board of Directors, including its independent directors. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, RENN Group receives a management fee equal to a quarterly rate of 0.4375% of the Fund’s net assets, as determined at the end of such quarter with each such payment to be due on the last day of the calendar quarter. In addition, under the Advisory Agreement, RENN Group receives an incentive fee in an amount equal to 20% of the Fund’s realized capital gains in excess of realized capital losses, after allowance for any unrealized capital depreciation of the portfolio investments of the Fund. The incentive fee is calculated and paid, if due, on an annual basis.

In 2007, the Fund incurred a management fee to RENN Group of $792,545 of which $428,251 was paid in 2007. There was no incentive fee incurred for 2007. The Fund also received director’s fees from portfolio companies with respect to Mr. Cleveland’s and Mr. Pearson’s services as a director. Russell Cleveland and Barbe Butschek own 80% and 20%, respectively, of the Common Stock of RENN Group. The sole director of RENN Group is Russell Cleveland.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

The following table presents fees paid by the Fund for professional services rendered by KBA Group LLP and accounting consultants for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

Fee Category
 
 Fiscal 2007 Fees
 Fiscal 2005 Fees
 
Fiscal 2006 Fees
 
           
Audit Fee    
 
$
148,575
 
$
334,950
 
Other Fees
   
0
   
0
 
Total Fees
 
$
148,575
 
$
334,950
 

Audit Fees were for professional services rendered for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements and review of the Fund’s quarterly financial statements. No non-audit fees were paid to the independent audit firm of KBA Group LLP.
 
44


No Other Fees were paid by the Fund to KBA Group LLP for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 or 2006.
 
Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS FORM 10K

Financial Statements:

The financial statements filed as part of this report are listed in “Index to Financial Statements” on page F-1 hereof.

Financial Schedules:
There are no schedules presented since none are applicable.

EXHIBITS
 
3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation1

3.2
Bylaws2

10.1
Dividend Reinvestment Plan3

10.2
Amendment No. 1 to Dividend Reinvestment Plan4

10.3
Amended Investment Advisory Agreement5

10.5
Custodial Agreement with The Frost National Bank6

14
Code of Ethics7

31.1
Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2
Certification of the principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1
Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2
Certification principal financial officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
45

 
1
Incorporated by reference from Form N-2 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission February 25, 1994 (Registration No. 33-75758).
 
2
Incorporated by reference from Form N-2 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission February 25, 1994 (Registration No. 33-75758).
 
3
Incorporated by reference from Form N-2 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission February 25, 1994 (Registration No. 33-75758).
 
4
Incorporated by reference from Form N-2 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission February 25, 1994 (Registration No. 33-75758).
 
5
Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 033-75758).
 
6
Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 001-11701).
 
7
Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 001-11701).
 
46




Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: March 26, 2008
 
     
 
         Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
 
 
 
 
(Registrant)
 
  By:   /s/ Russell Cleveland
 
  Russell Cleveland, Chairman and President

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 Fund in the capacities and on the date indicated Signatures.
 
Signature  
Capacity in Which Signed
 
Date
         
         
/s/ Russell Cleveland 
Russell Cleveland
 
Chairman, President and Director
 
March 26, 2008
         
         
/s/ Barbe Butschek
Barbe Butschek
 
Secretary and Treasurer
 
March 26, 2008
         
         
/s/ Ernest C. Hill

Ernest C. Hill
 
Director
 
March 26, 2008
         
         
/s/ Peter Collins
Peter Collins
 
Director
 
March 26, 2008
         
         
/s/ J. Philip McCormick

J. Philip McCormick
 
Director
 
March 26, 2008
         
         
/s/ Charles C. Pierce, Jr.

Charles C. Pierce, Jr.
 
Director
 
 March 26, 2008
         
         
 
47

 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
  
 
 
Page
 
Report of Independent
      
Registered Public Accounting Firm
   
F-2
 
         
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
   
 
December 31, 2007 and 2006
   
F-3
 
         
Schedules of Investments
       
December 31, 2007 and 2006
   
F-4 through F-13
 
         
Statements of Operations
       
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005
   
F-14
 
         
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
       
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005
   
F-15
 
         
Statements of Cash Flows
       
Years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005
   
F-16 through F-17
 
         
Notes to Financial Statements
   
F-18 through F-27
 
 
F-1

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
Stockholders and Board of Directors
 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc. (the "Fund") including the schedules of investments as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have nor were we engaged to perform, audits of their internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of 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 Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, 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 Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc. as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 and the financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
       
/s/ KBA GROUP LLP     

KBA Group LLP
Dallas, TX
   
 
March 26, 2008
 
F-2

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2007 and 2006
 
 
2007
 
2006
 
ASSETS
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
3,679,949
 
$
14,835,500
 
Investments at fair value, cost of $43,820,011
             
and $38,413,046 at December 31, 2007 and
             
2006, respectively
   
36,251,126
   
43,642,143
 
Interest and dividends receivable
   
141,402
   
146,146
 
Prepaid and other assets
   
50,663
   
25,766
 
               
   
$
40,123,140
 
$
58,649,555
 
               
LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS
     
               
Liabilities:
             
Accounts payable
 
$
57,726
 
$
168,845
 
Dividends payable
   
446,397
   
--
 
Accounts payable - affiliate
   
374,734
   
3,810,462
 
Taxes payable on behalf of stockholders
   
1,485,135
   
6,302,806
 
               
     
2,363,992
   
10,282,113
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
             
               
Net assets:
             
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized
             
20,000,000 shares; 4,673,867 issued;
             
4,463,967 shares outstanding
   
4,673,867
   
4,673,867
 
Additional paid-in-capital
   
27,925,813
   
28,494,233
 
Treasury stock at cost, 209,900 shares
   
(1,734,967
)
 
(1,734,967
)
Net realized gain on investments retained
   
14,463,320
   
11,705,212
 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
             
investments
   
(7,568,885
)
 
5,229,097
 
               
Net assets, equivalent to $8.46 and $10.84
             
per share at December 31, 2007 and
             
2006, respectively
   
37,759,148
   
48,367,442
 
               
   
$
40,123,140
 
$
58,649,555
 
 
See accompanying notes
 
F-3

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments
December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
 2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
Interest
 
Maturity
 
 
 
Fair
 
Investment
 
 
 
Rate
 
Date
 
Cost
 
Value
 
Assets
 
Eligible Portfolio Investments -
                     
Convertible Debentures and
                     
Promissory Notes
                     
                       
CaminoSoft Corp. -
                     
Promissory note (2)
   
7.00
%
 
01/19/08
 
$
250,000
 
$
250,000
   
0.69
%
                                 
Integrated Security Systems, Inc. -
                               
Convertible Promissory note (2)
   
6.00
   
09/30/08
   
400,000
   
400,000
   
1.10
 
Promissory note (2)
   
8.00
   
09/30/08
   
525,000
   
525,000
   
1.45
 
Promissory note (2)
   
7.00
   
09/30/08
   
200,000
   
200,000
   
0.55
 
Promissory note (2)
   
8.00
   
09/30/08
   
175,000
   
175,000
   
0.48
 
Promissory note (2)
   
8.00
   
09/30/08
   
450,000
   
450,000
   
1.24
 
Convertible promissory note (2)
   
8.00
   
12/14/08
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
1.38
 
Promissory note (2)
   
8.00
   
12/12/08
   
300,000
   
300,000
   
0.83
 
                                 
iLinc Communications, Inc. -
                               
Convertible debenture
   
12.00
   
03/29/12
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
1.38
 
                                 
PetroHunter Energy Corp -
                               
Convertible debenture (1)
   
8.50
   
11/05/12
   
1,000,000
   
1,466,667
   
4.05
 
                                 
Pipeline Data, Inc. -
                               
Convertible debenture
   
8.00
   
06/29/10
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
1.38
 
 
                               
Simtek Corporation -
                               
Convertible debenture (2)
   
7.50
   
06/28/09
   
700,000
   
738,182
   
2.04
 
                                 
               
$
5,500,000
 
$
6,004,849
   
16.57
%
                                 

See accompanying notes
 
F-4


Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
 2007
 
               
% of
 
           
Fair
 
Investment
 
   
Shares
 
Cost
 
Value
 
Assets
 
Eligible Portfolio Investments -
                 
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
                 
and Miscellaneous Securities
                 
                   
Advance Nanotech, Inc. -
                 
Common stock
   
5,796
 
$
11,199
 
$
1,652
   
0.00
%
                           
AuraSound, Inc.
                         
Common stock
   
1,000,000
   
1,000,000
   
1,100,000
   
3.03
 
                           
BPO Management Services, Inc.
                         
Series D, preferred (2)
   
104,167
   
1,000,000
   
716,667
   
1.98
 
Series D2, preferred (2)
   
52,084
   
500,000
   
358,333
   
0.99
 
                           
CaminoSoft Corp. -
                         
Common stock (2)
   
3,539,414
   
5,275,000
   
283,153
   
0.78
 
                           
eOriginal, Inc. -
                         
Series A, preferred stock (2)
   
10,680
   
4,692,207
   
145,462
   
0.40
 
Series B, preferred stock (2)
   
25,646
   
620,329
   
349,299
   
0.96
 
Series C, preferred stock (2)
   
51,249
   
1,059,734
   
698,011
   
1.93
 
Series D, preferred stock (2)
   
36,711
   
500,000
   
500,004
   
1.38
 
                           
Gaming & Entertainment Group, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
112,500
   
50,625
   
788
   
0.00
 
                           
Gasco Energy, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
775,586
   
465,352
   
1,543,416
   
4.26
 
                           
Global Axcess Corporation -
                         
Common stock
   
953,333
   
1,261,667
   
324,133
   
0.89
 
                           
i2 Telecom -
                         
Common stock
   
237,510
   
36,200
   
17,814
   
0.05
 
Common stock (1)
   
3,927,806
   
675,000
   
294,585
   
0.81
 
 
                         
Integrated Security Systems, Inc. -
                         
Common stock (2)
   
30,733,532
 
5,661,058
 
2,766,018
   
7.63
 
Common stock (1)(2)
   
2,175,559
   
400,734
   
195,800
   
0.54
 
Series D, preferred stock (2)
   
7,500
   
150,000
   
16,875
   
0.05
 

See accompanying notes
 
F-5

 
     Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007 and 2006

     
 2007
 
                     
% of
 
 
               
Fair 
   
Investment
 
   
Shares
   
Cost
   
Value
   
Assets
 
Eligible Portfolio Investments -
                         
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
                         
and Miscellaneous Securities, continued
                         
                           
Hemobiotech, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
1,200,000
   
1,284,117
   
1,680,000
   
4.63
 
                           
Murdoch Security & Investigations, Inc.-
                         
Common stock (1)
   
2,000,000
   
1,000,000
   
1,000,000
   
2.76
 
                           
Narrowstep, Inc -
                         
Common stock (1)
   
4,000,000
   
1,000,000
 
440,000
   
1.21
 
                           
Nutradyne Group, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
13,917
   
12,500
   
21,571
   
0.06
 
                           
Shea Development Corp. -
                         
Common stock (1)(2)
   
1,838,396
   
1,093,332
   
643,439
   
1.78
 
                           
Simtek Corp. -
                         
Common stock (2)
   
640,763
   
1,799,294
   
1,486,570
   
4.10
 
Common stock (1)(2)
   
90,909
   
200,000
   
210,909
   
0.58
 
                           
Symbollon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
607,143
   
500,000
   
391,607
   
1.08
 
                           
Vertical Branding, Inc.-
                         
Common stock (1)(2)
   
1,666,667
   
1,000,000
   
666,667
   
1.84
 
                           
Miscellaneous Securities (3)
         
-
   
187,727
   
0.52
 
                           
         
$
31,248,348
 
$
16,040,500
   
44.24
%
 
See accompanying notes
 
F-6

 
   Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
2007
 
               
% of
 
           
Fair
 
Investment
 
   
Shares
 
Cost
 
Value
 
Assets
 
                   
Other Portfolio Investments -
                 
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
                 
and Miscellaneous Securities
                 
                   
Access Plans (Precis) -
                 
Common stock (2)
   
890,500
 
$
2,139,777
 
$
952,835
   
2.63
%
 
                         
AdStar, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
253,500
   
330,718
   
96,330
   
0.27
 
                           
Asian Financial, Inc. -
                         
Common stock(1)
   
130,209
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
1.38
 
                           
Bovie Medical Corporation -
                       
Common stock
   
500,000
   
907,844
   
3,185,000
   
8.79
 
                           
Chardan South China Acquisition Corp-
                         
Common stock
   
48,000
   
409,256
   
640,800
   
1.77
 
 
                         
Comtech Group, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
200,000
   
836,019
   
3,222,000
   
8.89
 
                           
HLS Systems International, Ltd. -
                         
Common stock
   
58,500
   
498,557
   
521,820
   
1.44
 
                           
iLinc Communications, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
23,266
   
13,908
   
12,564
   
0.03
 
                           
Medical Action Industries, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
30,150
   
237,209
   
628,628
   
1.73
 

See accompanying notes
 
F-7

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007 and 2006
 
   
2007
 
                  
 % of
 
             
Fair
 
Investment
 
   
 Shares
 
 Cost
 
  Value
 
Assets
 
Other Portfolio Investments -
                     
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
                     
and Miscellaneous Securities, continued
                     
                   
Points International, Ltd. -
                     
Common stock
   
900,000
 
 
492,000
 
 
3,735,000
   
10.30
 
                           
Silverleaf Resorts, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
100,000
   
430,000
   
416,000
   
1.15
 
                           
US Home Systems, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
55,000
   
276,375
   
294,800
   
0.81
 
                           
Miscellaneous Securities
         
-
   
-
   
0.00
 
           
7,071,663
   
14,205,777
   
39.19
%
                           
         
$
43,820,011
 
$
36,251,126
   
100.00
%
Allocation of Investments -
                         
Restricted Shares, Unrestricted Shares, and Other Securities
                         
                         
Restricted Securities (1)(2)
       
$
33,766,465
 
$
17,229,476
   
47.54
%
Unrestricted Securities
       
$
10,053,546
 
$
18,833,923
   
51.94
%
Other Securities (3)
       
$
0
 
$
187,727
   
0.52
%

(1)
Restricted securities from a non-public company, or not fully registered, or held less than 1 years.
(2)
Restricted securities due to the Fund having a director on issuer’s board and must comply with Rule 144 as an affiliate.
(3)
Includes Miscellaneous Securities, such as warrants and options.
 
See accompanying notes
 
F-8

 

 Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007 and 2006
   
2006
 
                   
% of
 
   
Interest
 
Maturity
     
Fair
 
Investment
 
   
Rate
 
Date
 
Cost
 
Value
 
Assets
 
Eligible Portfolio Investments -
                     
Convertible Debentures and
                     
Promissory Notes
                     
                       
CaminoSoft Corp. -
                     
Promissory note (3)
   
7.00
%
 
07/19/08 $
   
250,000
 
$
250,000
   
0.57
%
                                 
iLinc Communications, Inc. -
                               
Convertible promissory note
   
12.00
   
03/29/12
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
1.15
 
                                 
Integrated Security Systems, Inc. -
                               
Promissory note (3)
   
8.00
   
09/30/07
   
525,000
   
525,000
   
1.20
 
Promissory note (3)
   
7.00
   
09/30/07
   
200,000
   
200,000
   
0.46
 
Promissory note (3)
   
8.00
   
09/30/07
   
175,000
   
175,000
   
0.40
 
Convertible promissory note (1)
   
8.00
   
12/14/08
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
1.15
 
Convertible debenture (3)
   
6.00
   
06/16/09
   
400,000
   
400,000
   
0.91
 
                                 
Pipeline Data, Inc. -
                               
Convertible debenture (1)
   
8.00
   
06/29/10
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
1.15
 
                                 
Simtek Corporation -
                               
Convertible debenture
   
7.50
   
06/28/09
   
900,000
   
1,902,273
   
4.36
 
                $
3,950,000
 
$
4,952,273
   
11.35
%
 
See accompanying notes
 
F-9

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
2006
 
               
% of
 
           
Fair
 
Investment
 
 
 
Shares
 
Cost
 
Value
 
Assets
 
Eligible Portfolio Investments -
                 
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
                 
and Miscellaneous Securities
                 
                   
Advance Nanotech, Inc. -
                 
Common stock (1)
   
170,796
 
$
330,000
 
$
121,265
   
0.28
%
                           
CaminoSoft Corp. -
                         
Common stock
   
3,539,414
   
5,275,000
 
 
1,592,736
   
3.65
 
 
                         
Digital Learning Management Corporation -
                         
Common stock (1)
   
166,666
   
12,500
   
13,333
   
0.03
 
                           
eOriginal, Inc. -
                         
Series A, preferred stock (2)
   
10,680
   
4,692,207
   
332,575
   
0.76
 
Series B, preferred stock (2)
   
25,646
   
620,329
   
798,616
   
1.83
 
Series C, preferred stock (2)
   
51,249
   
1,059,734
   
1,595,894
   
3.66
 
Series D, preferred stock (2)
   
16,057
   
500,000
   
500,015
   
1.15
 
 
                         
Gaming & Entertainment Group -
                         
Common stock
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
12,500
   
0.03
 
Common stock (1)
   
112,500
   
50,625
   
2,813
   
0.01
 
 
                         
Gasco Energy, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
1,541,666
   
1,250,000
   
3,777,082
   
8.65
 
                           
Global Axcess Corporation -
                         
Common stock (1)
   
953,333
   
1,261,667
   
352,733
   
0.81
 
                           
Hemobiotech, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
1,137,405
   
1,143,882
   
2,331,680
   
5.34
 
                           
I2 Telecom -
                         
Convertible Preferred (1)
   
625
   
618,750
   
85,938
   
0.20
 
Common stock (1)
   
237,510
   
36,200
   
26,126
   
0.06
 
 
See accompanying notes
 
F-10

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
2006
 
               
% of
 
           
Fair
 
Investment
 
   
Shares
 
Cost
 
Value
 
Assets
 
Eligible Portfolio Investments -
                 
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
                 
and Miscellaneous Securities, continued
                 
 
                 
                   
Information Intellect -
                 
Common stock (2)
   
666,666
 
$
999,999
 
$
999,999
   
2.29
%
 
                         
Integrated Security Systems, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
27,074,179
   
5,568,054
   
3,790,385
   
8.70
 
Common stock (1)
   
4,264,854
   
356,225
   
597,080
   
1.36
 
Series D, preferred stock (1)
   
187,500
   
150,000
   
26,250
   
0.06
 
 
                         
Inyx, Inc. -
                         
Common stock
   
300,000
   
300,000
   
699,000
   
1.60
 
                           
PracticeXpert, Inc -
                         
Common stock
   
4,166,667
   
500,000
   
12,500
   
0.03
 
                           
Simtek Corp. -
                         
Common stock
   
639,603
   
1,795,000
   
2,974,153
   
6.81
 
Common stock (1)
   
1,160
   
4,294
   
5,392
   
0.01
 
 
                         
Symbollon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. -
                         
Common stock (1)
   
250,000
   
250,000
   
225,000
   
0.51
 
                           
Miscellaneous Securities
   
-
   
407,822
   
0.93
 
         
$
27,274,466
 
$
21,280,887
   
48.76
%
 
See accompanying notes
 
F-11

Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments
December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
2006
 
   
Shares
 
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
% of
Investment
Assets
 
Other Portfolio Investments -
                 
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
                 
and Miscellaneous Securities
                 
                   
AdStar, Inc. -
Common stock
   
269,231
 
$
350,000
 
$
619,231
   
1.42
%
                           
Asian Financial, Inc -
Common stock (2)
   
130,208
   
500,000
   
500,000
   
1.15
 
                           
Bovie Medical Corporation -
Common stock
   
500,000
   
907,845
   
4,535,000
   
10.39
 
                           
China Security & Surveillance Technology, Inc. -
Common stock (1)
   
142,857
   
500,000
   
1,728,570
   
3.96
 
                           
Comtech Group, Inc. -
Common stock (1)
   
300,000
   
1,186,019
   
5,457,000
   
12.51
 
                           
Hemobiotech, Inc. -
Common stock
   
62,595
   
140,235
   
128,320
   
0.29
 
                           
iLinc Communications, Inc. -
Common stock
   
23,266
   
13,908
   
13,727
   
0.03
 
                           
Medical Action Industries, Inc. -
Common stock
   
20,100
   
237,209
   
648,024
   
1.49
 
                           
Points International, Ltd. -
Common stock
   
800,000
   
428,000
   
512,000
   
1.17
 
                           
Precis, Inc. -
Common stock
   
890,500
   
2,139,777
   
1,786,343
   
4.09
 
 
See accompanying notes
F-12


 Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Schedules of Investments
December 31, 2007 and 2006

   
2006
 
   
Shares
 
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
% of
Investment
Assets
 
Other Portfolio Investments -
                 
Common Stock, Preferred Stock,
                 
and Miscellaneous Securities, continued
                 
                   
US Home Systems, Inc. -
Common stock
   
110,000
   
535,587
   
1,245,200
   
2.85
 
                           
Vaso Active Pharmaceuticals, Inc. -
Common stock
   
150,000
   
250,000
   
27,000
   
0.06
 
                           
Miscellaneous Securities
         
-
   
208,568
   
0.48
 
                           
           
7,188,580
   
17,408,983
   
39.89
%
                           
         
$
38,413,046
 
$
43,642,143
   
100.00
%
                           
Allocation of Investments -
                         
Restricted Shares, Unrestricted Shares,
and Other Securities
                         
                           
Restricted Securities (1)
       
$
3,308,594
 
$
3,831,767
   
8.78
%
Unrestricted Securities
       
$
25,182,183
 
$
32,916,887
   
75.42
%
Other Securities (4)
       
$
9,922,269
 
$
6,893,489
   
15.80
%
 
(1)
Restricted securities - securities that are not fully registered and freely tradable (there is not a valid registration statement on file or an available exemption from registration.).
(2)
Securities in a privately owned company and by nature are restricted securities (not freely tradable).
(3)
Securities that have no provision allowing conversion into a security for which there is a public market.
(4)
Includes Miscellaneous Securities, securities of privately owned companies, securities with no conversion feature, and securities for which there is no market.
 
See accompanying notes
F-13


Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005

   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
Investment income:
             
Interest income
 
$
345,510
 
$
340,145
 
$
189,496
 
Dividend income
   
432,478
   
584,139
   
193,402
 
Other income
   
48,601
   
27,684
   
255,146
 
                     
     
826,589
   
951,968
   
638,044
 
                     
Expenses:
                   
General and administrative
   
432,563
   
335,641
   
336,601
 
Incentive fee to affiliate
   
-
   
3,157,367
   
1,216,467
 
Interest expense
   
-
   
60,188
   
93,847
 
Legal and professional fees
   
354,127
   
651,701
   
295,305
 
Management fee to affiliate
   
792,545
   
935,776
   
1,112,927
 
                     
     
1,579,235
   
5,140,673
   
3,055,147
 
                     
Net investment loss
   
(752,646
)
 
(4,188,705
)
 
(2,417,103
)
                     
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments:
           
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of  investments
   
(12,797,981
)
 
(13,339,923
)
 
(19,537,884
)
Net realized gain on investments
   
4,873,865
   
19,795,521
   
5,931,321
 
Income tax expense paid on behalf of  stockholders
   
(1,485,135
)
 
(6,302,806
)
 
 
                     
Net gain (loss) on investments
   
(9,409,251
)
 
152,792
   
(13,606,563
)
                     
Net loss
 
$
(10,161,897
)
$
(4,035,913
)
$
(16,023,666
)
                     
Net loss per share
 
$
(2.28
)
$
(0.90
)
$
(3.60
)
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
4,463,967
   
4,463,967
   
4,454,613
 
 
See accompanying notes
F-14

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Statements of Net Assets
Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005

   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
From operations:
             
Net investment loss
 
$
(752,646
)
$
(4,188,705
)
$
(2,417,103
)
Net realized gain on investments
   
4,873,865
   
19,795,521
   
5,931,321
 
Income tax expense paid on behalf of stockholders
   
(1,485,135
)
 
(6,302,806
)
 
 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
   
(12,797,981
)
 
(13,339,923
)
 
(19,537,884
)
Net loss
   
(10,161,897
)
 
(4,035,913
)
 
(16,023,666
)
From distributions to stockholders:
                   
Cash dividends declared from realized gains
   
(446,397
)
 
(1,785,588
)
 
(5,931,273
)
From capital transactions:
                   
Sale of common stock
   
   
   
1,561,383
 
Total decrease in net assets
   
(10,608,294
)
 
(5,821,501
)
 
(20,393,556
)
Net assets:
                   
Beginning of period
   
48,367,442
   
54,188,943
   
74,582,499
 
End of period
 
$
37,759,148
 
$
48,367,442
 
$
54,188,943
 
 
See accompanying notes
 
F-15


Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005

   
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net loss
 
$
(10,161,897
)
$
(4,035,913
)
$
(16,023,666
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss
                   
to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                   
Net decrease in unrealized depreciation of investments
   
12,797,981
   
13,339,923
   
19,537,884
 
Net realized gain on investments
   
(4,873,865
)
 
(19,795,521
)
 
(5,931,321
)
(Increase) decrease in interest and dividend receivables
   
4,744
   
(97,920
)
 
47,463
 
Decrease in receivable - settlement
   
   
   
3,775,872
 
(Increase) decrease in prepaid and other assets
   
(24,897
)
 
75,832
   
(68,223
)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
   
(111,119
)
 
82,063
   
35,306
 
Increase in due to broker
   
   
(2,075,975
)
 
(24,925,439
)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable-affiliate
   
(3,435,728
)
 
1,759,473
   
(1,646,472
)
Increase (decrease) in taxes payable on behalf of stockholders
   
(4,817,671
)
 
6,302,806
   
 
Purchase of investments
   
(9,326,046
)
 
(4,116,806
)
 
(5,038,466
)
Proceeds from sale of investments
   
8,792,947
   
20,932,760
   
13,632,705
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
   
(11,155,551
)
 
12,370,722
   
(16,604,357
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
                   
Sale of common stock
   
   
   
1,561,383
 
Cash dividends
   
   
(5,931,274
)
 
(13,839,845
)
Net cash used in financing activities
   
   
(5,931,274
)
 
(12,278,462
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
   
(11,155,551
)
 
6,439,448
   
(28,882,819
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
   
14,835,500
   
8,396,052
   
37,278,871
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
3,679,949
 
$
14,835,500
 
$
8,396,052
 
 
See accompanying notes
 
F-16

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005

 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                    
                     
Cash paid during the period for Interest
 
$
 
$
60,188
 
$
93,847
 
 
                   
Taxes paid on behalf of stockholders/excise taxes
 
$
6,302,806
 
$
12,378
 
$
6,824
 
                     
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing transaction:
                   
                     
Cash dividends declared from realized gains but not yet paid
 
$
446,397
 
$
 
$
 
 
See accompanying notes
F-17

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)

Note 1 - Organization and Business Purpose

Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc., (the “Fund” or the “Registrant”) is a non-diversified, closed-end fund that has elected to be treated as a business development company (a “BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund, a Texas corporation, was organized and commenced operations in 1994.

The investment objective of the Fund is to provide its stockholders long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in privately placed convertible securities and equity securities of emerging growth companies.

RENN Capital Group, Inc. (“RENN Group” or the “Investment Advisor”), a Texas corporation, serves as the Investment Advisor to the Fund. In this capacity, RENN Group is primarily responsible for the selection, evaluation, structure, valuation, and administration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, subject to the supervision of the Board of Directors. RENN Group is a registered investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”).

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Valuation of Investments
 
Portfolio investments are stated at quoted market or fair value as determined by the Investment Adviser (Note 6). The securities held by the Fund are primarily unregistered and their value does not necessarily represent the amounts that may be realized from their immediate sale or disposition.
 
Other
 
The Fund follows industry practice and records security transactions on the trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the record date. Interest income is recorded as earned on the accrual basis.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Fund considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, cash and cash equivalents are at risk to the extent that they exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured amounts. To minimize this risk, the Fund places its cash and cash equivalents with major U.S. financial institutions.
 
F-18

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
Income Taxes

The Fund has elected the special income tax treatment available to “regulated investment companies” (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) which allows the Fund to be relieved of federal income tax on that part of its net investment income and realized capital gains that it pays out to its stockholders. Such requirements include, but are not limited to certain qualifying income tests, asset diversification tests and distribution of substantially all of the Fund’s taxable investment income to its stockholders. It is the intent of management to comply with all IRC requirements as they pertain to a RIC and to distribute all of the Fund’s taxable investment income and realized long-term capital gains within the defined period under the IRC to qualify as a RIC. Failure to qualify as a RIC would subject the Fund to federal income tax as if the Fund were an ordinary corporation, which could result in a substantial reduction in the Fund’s net assets as well as the amount of cash available for distribution to stockholders. Continued qualification as a RIC requires management to satisfy certain investment diversification requirements in future years. There can be no assurance that the Fund will qualify as a RIC in subsequent years.
 
Federal income taxes payable on behalf of stockholders on realized gains that the Fund elects to retain are accrued and reflected as tax expense paid on behalf of stockholders on the last day of the tax year in which such gains are realized.
In January 2007 the Fund adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements and requires companies to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that a tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authorities before any part of the benefit can be recorded in the financial statements. It also provides guidance on the recognition, measurement and classification of income tax uncertainties, along with any related interest and penalties. The Fund did not recognize any adjustments to the Fund’s financial statements as a result of the implementation of FIN 48.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding of 4,463,967 during 2007 and 2006, and 4,454,613 during 2005.
 
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 amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. 

F-19

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued No. 157 Fair Value Measurements, (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. FAS 157 does not expand or require any new fair value measures, however, the application of this statement may change current practice. The requirements of FAS 157 are first effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. We do not believe the initial adoption of FAS 157 will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. However, we are still in the process of evaluating this standard and therefore have not yet determined the impact that it will have on our financial statements upon full adoption.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued statement No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 provides companies with an option to measure, at specified election dates, many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently measured affair value. An entity that adopts FAS 159 will report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. FAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. We will be required to adopt FAS 159 for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008. We do not believe the adoption of FAS 159 will have a material impact on our financial statements.
 
Note 3 - Due to/from Broker

The Fund conducts business with various brokers for its investment activities.  The clearing and depository operations for the investment activities are performed pursuant to agreements with these brokers. “Due to broker” represents unsettled purchase transactions and “due from broker” represents unsettled sales transactions. The Fund is subject to credit risk to the extent the brokers are unable to deliver cash balances or securities, or clear security transactions on the Fund’s behalf.  The Investment Adviser actively monitors the Fund’s exposure to these brokers and believes the likelihood of loss under those circumstances is remote. At December 31, 2007 and 2006, there were no “due to broker” or “due from broker” balances.
 
Note 4 - Management Fees and Incentive Fees and Reimbursement
 
The Investment Adviser for the Fund is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”),  the Investment Adviser performs certain services, including certain management, investment advisory and administrative services necessary for the operation of the Fund. In addition, under the Agreement, the Investment Adviser is reimbursed by the Fund for certain directly allocable administrative expenses. A summary of fees and reimbursements paid by the Fund under either the Agreement or the prospectus is as follows:

The Investment Adviser receives a management fee equal to a quarterly rate of 0.4375% of the Fund’s net assets, as determined at the end of such quarter, each payment to be due as of the last day of the calendar quarter. The Fund incurred $792,545, $935,776, and $1,112,927 for in 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, for such management fees.
 
F-20

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
The Investment Adviser receives an incentive fee in an amount equal to 20% of the Fund’s cumulative realized capital gains in excess of cumulative realized capital losses of the Fund after allowance for any unrealized capital depreciation on the portfolio investments of the Fund at the end of the period being calculated, less cumulative incentive fees previously accrued. Unrealized capital depreciation equals net unrealized capital losses on each class of security without netting net unrealized capital gains on other classes of securities. The incentive fee is calculated, accrued, and paid on an annual basis as of year end. The Fund incurred, $0, $3,157,367, and $1,216,467 during the years ended 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively, for such incentive fees.
 
The Investment Adviser was reimbursed by the Fund for directly allocable administrative expenses paid by the Investment Adviser on behalf of the Fund. Such reimbursements were $230,797, $386,809, and $176,856 in 2007, 2006, and 2005 respectively.

As of December 31, 2007, and 2006, the Fund had an accounts payable of $374,734, and  $3,810,462, respectively, for the amount due for the fees and expense reimbursements disclosed above.

Note 5 - Eligible Portfolio Companies and Investments
 
Eligible Portfolio Companies
 
The Fund invests primarily in convertible securities and equity investments of companies that qualify as Eligible Portfolio Companies as defined in Section 2(a)(46) of the 1940 Act or in securities that otherwise qualify for investment as permitted in Section 55(a)(1) through (5) of the 1940 Act. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act at least 70% of the Fund’s assets, as defined under Section 55 of the 1940 Act, must be invested in Eligible Portfolio Companies, as defined under Section 2(a)(46) of the 1940 Act. In the event the Fund has less than 70% of its assets invested in Eligible Portfolio Investments, then the Fund will be prohibited from making non-eligible investments until such time as the percentage of Eligible Portfolio Investments again exceeds the 70% threshold. The Fund was in compliance with these provisions at December 31, 2007 and 2006.
 
Investments
 
Investments are carried in the statements of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2007 and  2006, at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Investment Adviser, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors. The convertible debt securities held by the Fund generally have maturities between five and seven years and are convertible (at the discretion of the Fund) into the common stock of the issuer at a set conversion price. The common stock underlying these securities is generally unregistered and thinly to moderately traded. Generally, the Fund negotiates registration rights at the time of purchase and the portfolio companies are required to register the shares within a designated period and the cost of registration is borne by the portfolio company. Interest on the convertible securities is generally payable monthly. The convertible debt securities generally contain embedded call options giving the issuer the right to call the underlying issue. In these instances, the Fund has the right of redemption or conversion. The embedded call option will generally not vest until certain conditions are achieved by the issuer. Such conditions may require that minimum thresholds be met relating to underlying market prices, liquidity, and other factors.
 
F-21

 
 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
Note 6 - Valuation of Investments

On a weekly basis, RENN Group prepares a valuation to determine fair value of the investments of the Fund. The Board of Directors of the Fund approves the valuation on a quarterly basis. Interim board involvement may occur if material issues arise before quarter end. The valuation principles are described below.

The common stock of companies listed on an exchange, Nasdaq or in the over-the-counter market is valued at the closing price on the date of valuation.

The unlisted preferred stock of companies with common stock listed on an exchange, Nasdaq or in the over-the-counter market is valued at the closing price of the common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible on the date of valuation.

Debt securities are valued at fair value. The Fund considers, among other things, whether a debt issuer is in default or bankruptcy. It also considers the underlying collateral. Fair value is generally determined to be the greater of the face value of the debt or the market value of the underlying common stock into which the instrument may be converted.

The unlisted in-the-money options or warrants of companies with the underlying common stock listed on an exchange, Nasdaq or in the over-the-counter market are valued at fair value (the positive difference between the closing price of the underlying common stock and the strike price of the warrant or option). Fair value is generally determined to be the intrinsic value of the option or warrant. An out-of-the money warrant or option has no value; thus, we assign no value to it.

Investments in privately held entities are valued at fair value. If there is no independent and objective pricing authority (i.e. a public market) for such investments, fair value is based on the latest sale of equity securities to independent third parties. If a private entity does not have an independent value established over an extended period of time, then the Investment Adviser will determine fair value on the basis of appraisal procedures established in good faith and approved by the Board of Directors.
 
F-22

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
 
As of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) associated with investments held by the Fund was $(7,568,885) and $5,229,097, respectively. As of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Fund had gross unrealized gains of $10,846,388 and $18,216,541, respectively, and gross unrealized losses of $18,415,273 and $12,987,444, respectively.

Note 7 - Restricted Securities
 
As indicated on the schedules of investments as of December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2006, the Fund holds investments in shares of common stock, the sale of which is restricted to selling under Rule 144. These securities have been valued by the Investment Adviser (subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the Fund) after considering certain pertinent factors relevant to the individual securities.

Note 8 - Income Taxes

Through December 31, 2005, management followed a policy of distributing all of the Fund’s taxable investment income and realized capital gains within the defined period under the IRC to assure that any Federal income tax on such income, if any, is paid by the Fund’s stockholders. For this reason, no income tax expense was reported by the Fund through December 31, 2005.

During December, 2006, the Board of Directors, in accordance with rules under subchapter M of the IRC, declared a designated undistributed capital gain dividend (“Deemed Distribution”) for 2006 on net taxable long-term capital gains of $18,008,018. The Fund recorded a liability of $6,302,806 (which was paid during the first month of 2007) on its statements of assets and liabilities for taxes payable on behalf of its stockholders as of December 31, 2006. This amount was also recorded as income tax expense paid on behalf of stockholders in the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006. Stockholders of record at December 31, 2006 received a tax credit of $1.41 per share. The balance of $11,705,212 was retained by the Fund.

 
During December, 2007, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per share ($446,397) which was designated as a distribution of realized capital gains in accordance with the IRC to assure that any Federal income tax on such realized capital gains, if any, is paid by the Fund’s stockholders. This dividend was paid to the stockholders during January, 2008.
 
 
During December, 2007, the Board of Directors, in accordance with rules under Subchapter M of the IRC, declared a deemed dividend for 2007 on net taxable long-term capital gains of $4,243,244 that remained after the cash dividend. The Fund recorded a liability of $1,485,135 (which was paid during the first month of 2008) on its statements of assets and liabilities for taxes payable on behalf of its stockholders as of December 31, 2007. This amount was also recorded as an income tax expense paid on behalf of stockholders in the statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2007. Stockholders of record at December 31, 2007 received a tax credit of $0.33 per share. The balance of $2,758,108 was retained by the Fund during 2007.

F-23

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies

 
As disclosed in Note 4, the Fund is obligated to pay to the Investment Adviser an incentive fee equal to 20% of the Fund’s cumulative realized capital gains in excess of cumulative capital losses of the Fund after allowance for any capital depreciation on the portfolio investments of the Fund. As incentive fees on capital gains are not due to the Investment Adviser until the capital gains are realized, any obligations for incentive fees based on unrealized capital gains are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements, as there is no assurance that the unrealized gains as of the end of any period will ultimately become realized. Had an incentive fee been accrued as a liability based on all unrealized capital gains, net assets of the Fund would have been reduced by $2,058,485 and $3,643,308 as of December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
 
F-24

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
Note 10 - Financial Highlights - unaudited

Selected per share data and ratios for each share of common stock outstanding throughout the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
 
   
2007
 
2006
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
10.84
 
$
12.14
 
               
Net investment loss
   
(0.17
)
 
(0.93
)
               
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
             
on investment
   
(2.11
)
 
0.03
 
               
Total return from investment operations
   
(2.28
)
 
(0.90
)
               
Distributions:
   
(0.10
)
 
(0.40
)
               
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
8.46
 
$
10.84
 
               
Per share market value, end of period
 
$
6.15
 
$
10.50
 
               
Portfolio turnover rate
   
21.11
%
 
8.95
%
               
Annual return (a)
   
(41.43
)%
 
(4.55
)%
               
Ratio to average net assets (b):
             
Net investment loss
   
(1.65
)%
 
(7.84
)%
Expenses, including incentive fees
   
3.46
%
 
3.71
%
Expenses, excluding incentive fee
   
3.46
%
 
9.62
%
 
(a)
Annual return was calculated by comparing the common stock price on the first day of the period to the common stock price on the last day of the period, in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants guidelines.
 
(b)
Average net assets have been computed based on quarterly valuations.
 
F-25

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
Note 11 - Selected Quarterly Data 
 
   
2007
 
   
1st 
Quarter
 
2nd 
Quarter
 
3rd 
Quarter
 
4th 
Quarter
 
Net investment loss
 
$
(115,003
)
$
(322,584
)
$
(161,653
)
$
(153,406
)
                           
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
   
472,619
   
(1,703,609
)
 
(6,259,982
)
 
(5,307,009
)
                           
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
   
-
   
2,033,769
   
2,386,440
   
453,656
 
                           
Income tax expense paid on behalf of stockholders
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(1,485,135
)
                           
Net income (loss)
 
$
357,616
 
$
7,576
 
$
(4,035,195
)
$
(6,491,894
)
                           
Net income (loss) per share
 
$
0 .08
 
$
0.00
 
$
(0.90
)
$
(1.46
)
                           
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
4,463,967
   
4,463,967
   
4,463,967
   
4,463,967
 
 
F-26

 
Renaissance Capital Growth & Income Fund III, Inc.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005 (continued)
 
Note 11 - Selected Quarterly Data (continued)
 
   
 2006
 
   
1st
 
2nd
 
3rd
 
4th
 
 
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Quarter
 
Net investment loss
 
$
(373,174
)
$
(434,530
)
$
(83,166
)
$
(3,297,835
)
                           
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
   
(225,650
)
 
(14,928,440
)
 
(2,379,862
)
 
4,194,029
 
                           
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
   
1,188,192
   
17,623,044
   
874,823
   
109,462
 
                           
Income tax expense paid on behalf of stockholders
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(6,302.806
)
                           
Net income (loss)
 
$
589,368
 
$
2,260,074
 
$
(1,588,205
)
$
(5,297,150
)
                           
Net income (loss) per share
 
$
0.13
 
$
0.51
 
$
(0.36
)
$
(1.18
)
                           
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
4,463,967
   
4,463,967
   
4,463,967
   
4,463,967
 
 
F-27