Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

14 Lafayette Square, Suite 1405 ● Buffalo, New York 14203

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rand Capital Reports Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Results

BUFFALO, NY, August 5, 2026 – Rand Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: RAND) (“Rand” or the “Company”), a business development company providing alternative financing for lower middle market companies, announced its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.

“Our second quarter results reflected continued progress as we selectively deployed capital into new income-producing investments while actively managing the portfolio,” said Daniel P. Penberthy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand. “During the quarter, we committed $6.9 million to two new portfolio companies, realized a gain on the exit of Applied Image, and maintained our regular dividend. While non-accruals continued to pressure current income and portfolio yield, we believe Rand remains well positioned with a predominantly debt-oriented portfolio, strong liquidity and a focus on capital deployment as attractive lower middle market opportunities emerge.”

Second Quarter Review (compared with the prior-year period unless otherwise noted)

Portfolio and Investment Activity

As of June 30, 2026, Rand’s investment portfolio had a fair value of $56.5 million, up 16.5% from $48.5 million at December 31, 2025, reflecting new investment activity during the first half of 2026. The portfolio consisted of investments in 21 portfolio businesses and was comprised of approximately 79% debt investments and 21% equity investments at fair value.

The annualized weighted average yield of debt investments, including PIK interest, was 8.98% at June 30, 2026, compared with 11.3% at December 31, 2025. This change in the annualized weighted average yield primarily reflects the timing of placing certain portfolio investments on non-accrual.

Second Quarter 2026 portfolio activity included:

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Rand ended the quarter with $430,000 in cash and cash equivalents on hand, compared with $4.2 million at December 31, 2025. The Company had $5.1 million outstanding on its line of credit as of June 30, 2026, with estimated remaining availability of approximately $12.4 million. The weighted average interest rate was 7.12% during the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared with 7.88% during the six months ended June 30, 2025.

The Company did not repurchase any outstanding common stock during the second quarter of 2026.

Dividends

On April 29, 2026, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share, which was paid during the second quarter to shareholders of record as of May 27, 2026.

On July 30, 2026, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share, which will be payable on or about September 9, 2026, to shareholders of record as of August 26, 2026.

Webcast and Conference Call

Rand will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, to review its financial results. The review will be accompanied by a slide presentation, which will be available on Rand’s website at www.randcapital.com in the “Investor Relations” section. Rand’s conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8263. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored on Rand’s website at www.randcapital.com under “Investors” where the replay will also be available.

A telephonic replay will be available from 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on the day of the call through Wednesday, August 19, 2026. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin 13761056. A transcript of the call will also be posted once available.

ABOUT RAND CAPITAL

Rand Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: RAND) is an externally managed business development company (BDC). The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total return to its shareholders with current income and capital appreciation by focusing its debt and related equity investments in privately-held, lower middle market companies with committed and experienced managements in a broad variety of industries. Rand primarily invests in businesses that have sustainable, differentiated and market-proven products, revenue of more than $10 million and EBITDA in excess of $1.5 million. The Company’s investment activities are managed by its external investment adviser, Rand Capital Management, LLC. Additional information can be found at the Company’s website where it regularly posts information: randcapital.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than historical facts, including but not limited to statements regarding the strategy of the Company and its outlook; statements regarding the implementation of the Company’s strategy and the growth of its dividend; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words or expressions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (2) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; and (3) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Rand’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Rand’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed with the SEC. Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded as Rand’s current plans, estimates and beliefs. Except as required by applicable law, Rand assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

Contacts:

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

(Unaudited)

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP Total Expense to Non-GAAP Adjusted Expenses

(Unaudited)

In addition to reporting total expenses, which is a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) financial measure, Rand presents adjusted expenses, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted expenses is defined as GAAP total expenses removing the effect of any expenses/(credits) for capital gains incentive fees accrual. GAAP total expenses is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that adjusted expenses provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Investment Income per Share to
Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share

(Unaudited)

In addition to reporting Net Investment Income per Share, which is a GAAP financial measure, the Company presents Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share is defined as GAAP Net Investment Income per Share removing the effect of any expenses/(credits) for capital gains incentive fees. GAAP Net Investment Income per Share is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The per share amounts for the second quarters of 2026 and 2025 were computed using 2,969,814 weighted average shares outstanding. The per share amounts for the six months ended June 30, 2026 were computed using 2,969,814 weighted average shares outstanding, compared with 2,920,135 for the six months ended June 30, 2025.

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