Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all your money.

These are high-risk investments and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.

Risk summary for non-readily realisable securities which are shares:

Last updated: 31 March 2024

Estimated reading time: 2 min

Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.

What are the key risks?

1. You could lose all the money you invest

If the business you invest in fails, you are likely to lose 100% of the money you invested. Most start-up businesses fail.

2. You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong

Protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), in relation to claims against failed regulated firms, does not cover poor investment performance. Try the FSCS investment protection checker here or via the following URL link: https://www.fscs.org.uk/check/investment-protection-checker/.

Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here or via the following URL link: https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers.

3. You won’t get your money back quickly

Even if the business you invest in is successful, it may take several years to get your money back. You are unlikely to be able to sell your investment early.

The most likely way to get your money back is if the business is bought by another business or lists its shares on an exchange such as the London Stock Exchange. These events are not common.

If you are investing in a start-up business, you should not expect to get your money back through dividends. Start-up businesses rarely pay these.

4. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment, for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on anyone to do well.

A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. Read more about it here or via the following URL link: https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart/5-questions-ask-you-invest.

5. The value of your investment can be reduced

The percentage of the business that you own will decrease if the business issues more shares. This could mean that the value of your investment reduces, depending on how much the business grows. Most start-up businesses issue multiple rounds of shares.

These new shares could have additional rights that your shares don’t have, such as the right to receive a fixed dividend, which could further reduce your chances of getting a return on your investment.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA’s website here or via the following URL link: https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart.

Please find the PDF version here.

At a glance

Current Status: Open
Fund Type: EIS
Investment goal: Capital Growth
Focus: Sector and industry agnostic
Target returns: 20%+ IRR
Target holding period: 10 years
Minimum subscription: £50,000

Key Information

The objective of the High Growth SME Fund is to invest in a portfolio of high growth potential, globally ambitious, British and/or Irish companies, who are all on a journey to scale with purpose and committed to participate in the ScaleX Accelerator Programme.

The High Growth SME Fund will seek to make equity investments in companies that have the potential to rapidly scale, and are globally ambitious British and/or Irish companies.

The High Growth SME Fund is primarily focused on a company’s ability to leverage technology to scale with purpose into potentiality large and growing global markets.

The High Growth SME Fund will invest in areas underpinned by long-term macro trends that ScaleX Investments believe will drive future economic growth and where the Simple Scaling team has relevant insights and expertise to source, select and mentor category winners.

EIS tax incentives

The companies the fund invest in are expected to be EIS-qualifying, which makes High Growth SME Fund suitable for qualifying clients who would potentially benefit from the following tax reliefs:

Up to 30% income tax relief
Tax-free investment growth
Capital gains deferral
Inheritance tax relief
Loss relief

Please note: EIS tax reliefs are only made available to investors because of the higher risks associated with investing in early-stage companies. Also, the availability of tax reliefs will depend on the investor's individual circumstances, and may be subject to change in the future. In addition, the availability of any tax relief depends on the investee companies maintaining their qualifying status.

Fund Team

Oisin Lappin LinkedIn
Katie Fulford-Smith LinkedIn
Patrick McAliskey LinkedIn
Boyd Carson View bio
Bronagh Duggan View bio

Examples of Previous Investments by the Directors of ScaleX Investments Limited, via Angel Investments:

TeamFeePay is a grassroots football club management software platform designed to digitalise and streamline the administrative tasks involved in fundraising, payments, registration, and e-commerce operations for smaller clubs. By addressing inefficiencies in manual administrative processes, TeamFeePay helps clubs ensure they collect all registration fees while reducing time spent on administration, allowing more focus on coaching and player development.

View website

Xtract is an Insurtech company specialising in advanced auto claim processing for fleets and insurers. Their unique selling proposition and intellectual property lie in their ability to analyse data from any connected device and seamlessly integrate it into the claims process to produce actionable insights.

View website

Vikela Armour leverages proprietary 3D printing technology to design and manufacture cutting-edge body armor. Their initial product line features stab-proof vests, with active R&D dedicated to bullet-proof solutions.

View website

Next Slide

Important information

To invest, you must be an eligible investor. To be an eligible investor, you must be qualifying as one or more of the following:

• You meet the FCA’s definition of a professional investor (as per COBS 3.5).

• You meet the FCA’s definition of a certified high net worth investor (as per COBS 4 Annex 2R).

• You meet the FCA’s definition of a certified sophisticated investor (as per COBS 4 Annex 3R).

• You meet the FCA’s definition of a self-certified sophisticated investor (as per COBS 4 Annex 4R).

• You meet the FCA’s definition of a certified restricted investor (as per COBS 4 Annex 5R).

• You are a client of an FCA authorised firm that will provide advice on the suitability of the product in question.

Risk warning

THIS INVESTMENT IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS AS THE UNDERLYING INVESTMENTS ARE ILLIQUID.

This financial promotion has been approved by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP (FRN: 565716) on 01 November 2024.

Important information for private investors – Reliance on the information provided here to engage in any investment activity may expose an individual to a significant risk of losing all of the property or other assets invested. Your attention is drawn to the risk section contained within the Information Memorandum. Investments are typically in unquoted shares in small companies, the value of which can be volatile and are often difficult to sell. Nothing on this website constitutes investment, tax, financial, legal, regulatory, or other advice by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP.

The value of an investment may go down as well as up, and you may not get back the full amount invested, and you may therefore lose some or all of your investment.

If you are unsure of the suitability of any investment for your circumstances, please contact your independent financial advisor or other professional advisor authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) who specialises in advising on investments of this type. Tax reliefs depend on individual circumstances. There is no guarantee however that the tax reliefs (such as SEIS and/or EIS reliefs, CGT reliefs or IHT relief) will be available on any investment made or that if it is initially available, it will not be subsequently withdrawn. Any references to tax laws or rates are based on current legislation, all of which are subject to change and are provided as a guide only. Prospective investors are advised to obtain their own investment and taxation advice and should consult their own professional advisors on the implications of investing.

Investments made in investee companies via funds managed by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP may not be covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For more details, please contact us or refer to their website: https://www.fscs.org.uk

Past performance is not a guide to future returns. CAPITAL AT RISK.

High Growth SME Fund

Investing in rapidly scaling, globally ambitious British and Irish companies.

At a glance

Key Information

EIS tax incentives

Fund Team

Examples of Previous Investments by the Directors of ScaleX Investments Limited, via Angel Investments:

Important information

Risk warning

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