Northern Right Capital Management LP

10/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/23/2024 16:23

Amendment to Beneficial Ownership Report - Form SC 13D/A

SC 13D/A

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 8)*

Great Elm Group, Inc.

(Name of Issuer)

Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value

(Title of Class of Securities)

39037G109

(CUSIP Number)

Northern Right Capital Management, L.P.

Attn: Matthew A. Drapkin

9 Old Kings Hwy S.

4th Floor

Darien, Connecticut 06820

(203) 951-5440

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

October 21, 2024

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of Sections 240.13d-1(e),240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. ☐

*

The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. 39037G109

 1 

 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS

 Northern Right Capital Management, L.P.

 2

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☒

 3

 SEC USE ONLY

 4

 SOURCE OF FUNDS

 OO

 5

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

 6

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 Texas

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 7 

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 3,034,533(1)

 8

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 3,261,084(2)

 9

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 3,034,533(1)

10

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 3,261,084(2)

11 

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 6,295,617

12

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

13

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 19.7%

14

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 IA, PN

(1)

Northern Right Management (as defined herein) may be deemed to beneficially own 3,034,533 shares of Common Stock (as defined herein) currently held by the Managed Accounts (as defined herein), including 1,070,843 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued in the aggregate to the Managed Accounts in connection with the conversion of their PIK Notes (as defined herein), subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes.

(2)

Northern Right Management may be deemed to beneficially own 3,261,084 shares of Common Stock currently held by Northern Right QP (as defined herein), including 981,606 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued in the aggregate to Northern Right QP in connection with the conversion of its PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes.

2

CUSIP No. 39037G109

 1 

 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS

 Northern Right Capital (QP), L.P.

 2

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☒

 3

 SEC USE ONLY

 4

 SOURCE OF FUNDS

 WC

 5

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

 6

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 Texas

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 7 

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 3,261,084(1)

 8

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 0

 9

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 3,261,084(1)

10

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 0

11 

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 3,261,084

12

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

13

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 10.2%

14

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 PN

(1)

Northern Right QP is the sole owner of 3,261,084 shares of Common Stock, including a conversionary interest in 981,606 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued to Northern Right QP in connection with the conversion of its PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes.

3

CUSIP No. 39037G109

 1 

 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS

 BC Advisors, LLC

 2

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☒

 3

 SEC USE ONLY

 4

 SOURCE OF FUNDS

 OO

 5

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

 6

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 Texas

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 7 

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 0

 8

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 6,295,617(1)

 9

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 0

10

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 6,295,617(1)

11 

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 6,295,617

12

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

13

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 19.7%

14

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 IA, OO

(1)

BCA (as defined herein) may be deemed to beneficially own 6,295,617 shares of Common Stock currently held by Northern Right QP and the Managed Accounts, including 2,052,449 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued in the aggregate to Northern Right QP and the Managed Accounts in connection with the conversion of their PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes.

4

CUSIP No. 39037G109

 1 

 NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS

 Matthew A. Drapkin

 2

 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP

 (a) ☐  (b) ☒

 3

 SEC USE ONLY

 4

 SOURCE OF FUNDS

 OO

 5

 CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)

 6

 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

 United States

NUMBER OF

SHARES  BENEFICIALLY 

OWNED BY

EACH

REPORTING

PERSON

WITH

 7 

 SOLE VOTING POWER

 524,217(1)

 8

 SHARED VOTING POWER

 6,295,617(2)

 9

 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER

 524,217(1)

10

 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER

 6,295,617(2)

11 

 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON

 6,819,834

12

 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES

13

 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)

 21.3%

14

 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON

 IN

(1)

Mr. Drapkin is the sole owner of 574,903 shares of Common Stock of which 108,283 shares are deferred pursuant to a pre-established deferral election and will be delivered in a single lump sum upon the earlier of (a) three years from the grant date of such shares and (b) termination of Mr. Drapkin's service as a member of the board of directors of the Issuer (as defined herein). On January 3, 2024, Mr. Drapkin was awarded 149,732 restricted shares of Common Stock, which restricted shares have not been deferred. Of such additional restricted shares, 31,641 will remain unvested within 60 days of the date of this Statement (as defined herein), and 5,793 are currently unvested but will vest within 60 days of the date of this Statement. Mr. Drapkin also has a conversionary interest in 89,238 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued to Mr. Drapkin in connection with the conversion of his PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes.

(2)

Mr. Drapkin may be deemed to beneficially own 6,295,617 shares of Common Stock currently held by Northern Right QP and the Managed Accounts, including 2,052,449 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued in the aggregate to Northern Right QP and the Managed Accounts in connection with the conversion of their PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes.

5

This Amendment No. 8 to Schedule 13D amends and supplements the Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September 26, 2017, as amended on October 5, 2017, March 2, 2020, May 16, 2022, June 13, 2022, July 22, 2022, June 5, 2023, and January 5, 2024, on behalf of the Reporting Persons, with respect to the shares of common stock, $0.001 Par Value (the "Common Stock"), of Great Elm Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Issuer") (as amended, this "Statement").

This Statement is filed jointly on behalf of the following persons (collectively, the "Reporting Persons"): Northern Right Capital Management, L.P., a Texas limited partnership ("Northern Right Management"); Northern Right Capital (QP), L.P., a Texas limited partnership ("Northern Right QP"); BC Advisors, LLC, a Texas limited liability company ("BCA"); and Matthew A. Drapkin.

Mr. Drapkin is a member of BCA, and BCA is the general partner of Northern Right Management. Mr. Drapkin is also a limited partner of Northern Right Management. Northern Right Management is the general partner of, and investment manager for, Northern Right QP, and the investment manager for separate managed accounts on behalf of investment advisory clients (the "Managed Accounts").

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

Item 3 is amended and supplemented to add the following information for updating as of the date hereof:

From May 21, 2024 to May 23, 2024, the Reporting Persons expended an aggregate amount equal to $89,326.22 (including commissions) to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock. In February of 2020, the Reporting Persons expended an aggregate of $6,000,000 to purchase 5.0% Convertible Senior PIK Notes due 2030 of the Issuer (the "PIK Notes"). Following the purchase of the PIK Notes, the Reporting Persons receive additional PIK Notes as interest payments thereon on each of June 30 and December 31, which payments began in 2020 and continue thereafter until the maturity of the PIK Notes. All or any portion of the PIK Notes may be converted by their holders into shares of Common Stock if the portion to be converted is $1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof. The Reporting Persons may convert, as of the date of this Statement, at their option and at any time after issuance, the PIK Notes to a maximum of 2,141,687 shares of Common Stock in the aggregate at an initial conversion rate of 288.0018 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of PIK Notes, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments.

Funds used to purchase the reported securities have come from the working capital of Northern Right QP and the Managed Accounts, which may, at any given time, include margin loans made by brokerage firms or banks in the ordinary course of business.

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer

Item 5 is amended and supplemented to add the following information for updating as of the date hereof:

(a), (b)

As of October 23, 2024, the Reporting Persons may be deemed to beneficially own in the aggregate 6,819,834 shares of Common Stock, which represent approximately 21.3% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.1 The aggregate percentage of Common Stock reported to be owned by the Reporting Persons is based upon 31,959,418 shares of Common Stock outstanding, which is derived by adding (i) 29,817,731 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 11, 2024, as reported in the Issuer's Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on October 21, 2024, and (ii) the 2,141,687 shares of Common Stock that could be issued to the Reporting Persons in connection with the maximum conversion of the PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes. The number of outstanding shares described in the preceding sentence does not include the conversion of the PIK Notes held by the holders other than the Reporting Persons.

1

Excludes 108,283 restricted shares that were issued to Mr. Drapkin as consideration for his service on the board of directors of the Issuer but are deferred pursuant to a pre-established deferral election. These shares will be delivered in a single lump sum upon the earlier of (a) three years from the grant date of such shares and (b) termination of Mr. Drapkin's service as a member of the board of directors of the Issuer.

6

Northern Right QP beneficially owns and has the power to vote or to direct the vote of (and the power to dispose or direct the disposition of) 3,261,084 shares of Common Stock (the "QP Shares"), including 981,606 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued to Northern Right QP in connection with the conversion of its PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes.

As general partner of Northern Right QP, Northern Right Management may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the QP Shares. Northern Right Management disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. Northern Right Management in its capacity as investment manager for the Managed Accounts may be deemed to have the sole power to vote or direct the vote of (and the power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the 3,034,533 shares of the Common Stock held by the Managed Accounts, including 1,070,843 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued to the Managed Accounts in connection with the conversion of their PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes. In the aggregate, such shares represent approximately 9.5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

BCA, as general partner of Northern Right Management, may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (or deemed beneficially owned) by Northern Right Management, including 2,052,449 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued in the aggregate to Northern Right QP and the Managed Accounts in connection with the conversion of their PIK Notes. BCA disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of its pecuniary interest therein. In the aggregate, such shares represent approximately 19.7% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

Mr. Drapkin beneficially owns and has the power to vote or to direct the vote of (and the power to dispose or direct the disposition of) 524,217 shares of Common Stock, including 89,238 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued to Mr. Drapkin in connection with the conversion of his PIK Notes, subject to adjustment as provided in the PIK Notes. Mr. Drapkin, as managing member of BCA, may be deemed to have the shared power to vote or direct the vote of (and the shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of) the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned (or deemed beneficially owned) by BCA, including 2,052,449 shares of Common Stock, which represent the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that could be issued in the aggregate to Northern Right QP and the Managed Accounts in connection with the conversion of their PIK Notes. Mr. Drapkin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. In the aggregate, such shares represent approximately 21.3% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

Prior to January 2024, Mr. Drapkin was awarded 425,171 shares of restricted Common Stock pursuant to the Issuer's 2016 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended, restated and supplemented, the "2016 Plan"), of which 108,283 shares of restricted Common Stock are deferred pursuant to a pre-established deferral election.

On January 3, 2024, Mr. Drapkin was awarded 34,759 shares of restricted Common Stock pursuant to the 2016 Plan, which vest in equal monthly installments at the end of each month beginning on January 31, 2024 through December 31, 2024, contingent upon Mr. Drapkin's continued service as a member of the board of directors of the Issuer.

On January 3, 2024, Mr. Drapkin was awarded 80,214 shares of restricted Common Stock pursuant to the 2016 Plan, which vest in equal quarterly installments at the end of each quarter beginning on March 31, 2024 through December 31, 2024, contingent upon Mr. Drapkin's continued service as a member of the board of directors of the Issuer.

On January 3, 2024, Mr. Drapkin was awarded 34,759 shares of restricted Common Stock pursuant to the 2016 Plan, which vest in equal quarterly installments at the end of each quarter beginning on March 31, 2024 through December 31, 2024, contingent upon Mr. Drapkin's continued service as a member of the board of directors of Great Elm Capital Corp.

7

As of the date hereof, no Reporting Person beneficially owns any shares of Common Stock other than those set forth in this Item 5.

(c) The trading dates, number of shares of Common Stock purchased or sold and the price per share of Common Stock for all transactions by the Reporting Persons in shares of Common Stock during the past sixty days, all of which were brokered transactions, are set forth below. From May 21, 2024 to May 23, 2024, the Reporting Persons purchased 50,000 shares of Common Stock of the Issuer.

Reporting Person

Trade Date Purchased (Sold) Price /
Share ($)

Managed Accounts

5/21/2024 24,984 1.7717 (1)

Managed Accounts

5/22/2024 20,001 1.7633 (2)

Managed Accounts

5/23/2024 5,015 1.7536 (3)
1.

The price reported is a weighted average price. These shares were purchased in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $1.76 to $1.78, inclusive. The Reporting Persons undertake to provide to Great Elm Group, Inc. (the "Issuer"), any security holder of the Issuer or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), upon request, full information regarding the number of shares purchased at each separate price within the range set forth in this footnote.

2.

The price reported is a weighted average price. These shares were purchased in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $1.76 to $1.77, inclusive. The Reporting Persons undertake to provide to Great Elm Group, Inc. (the "Issuer"), any security holder of the Issuer or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), upon request, full information regarding the number of shares purchased at each separate price within the range set forth in this footnote.

3.

The price reported is a weighted average price. These shares were purchased in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $1.75 to $1.76, inclusive. The Reporting Persons undertake to provide to Great Elm Group, Inc. (the "Issuer"), any security holder of the Issuer or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), upon request, full information regarding the number of shares purchased at each separate price within the range set forth in this footnote.

Item 6.

Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to Securities of the Issuer

Item 6 is hereby amended and supplemented to add the following information for updating as of the date hereof:

The disclosure set forth under Item 5 of this Amendment No. 8 pertaining to the 2016 Plan and the shares issued to Mr. Drapkin thereunder is incorporated herein by reference.

8

SIGNATURES

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of each of the undersigned's knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned, severally and not jointly, certified that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Dated: October 23, 2024 NORTHERN RIGHT CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By: BC Advisors, LLC, its general partner
By:

/s/ Matthew A. Drapkin

Name: Matthew A. Drapkin
Title: Managing Member
NORTHERN RIGHT CAPITAL (QP), L.P.
By: Northern Right Capital Management, L.P., its general partner
By: BC Advisors, LLC, its general partner
By:

/s/ Matthew A. Drapkin

Name: Matthew A. Drapkin
Title: Managing Member
BC ADVISORS, LLC
By:

/s/ Matthew A. Drapkin

Name: Matthew A. Drapkin
Title: Managing Member

/s/ Matthew A. Drapkin

Matthew A. Drapkin

9