Octopus AIM VCTs
Investing in emerging UK companies listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM)
open
Open for new investment
Octopus AIM VCTs
Investing in emerging UK companies listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM)
open
Open for new investment
The Octopus AIM VCTs feature around 80 established, maturing businesses from a diverse range of sectors, from building materials and pharmaceuticals to software development and battery technology.
The team focuses on companies where there’s a strong business idea and plenty of room to grow.
Reasons to invest
Annual dividend target
Octopus AIM VCT targets 5% dividend yield or 5p per share, whichever is greater.
Octopus AIM VCT 2 targets a 5% dividend yield or 3.6p per share, whichever is greater.
Proven management
Octopus has one of the largest teams dedicated to investing in AIM-listed companies.
Established and diversified
The combined portfolios have around 80 companies across a wide variety of industries.
Tax reliefs
Income tax relief equal to 30% of the amount invested up to the first £200,000 of investment.
Tax-free capital gains and dividends.
Risks to bear in mind
Capital at risk
The value of an investment, and income from it can fall as well as rise. Investors could end up getting back less than they put in.
Tax rules treatment
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and tax rules could change in the future.
Volatility and liquidity
VCT shares could fall or rise in value more than other shares listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. They may also be harder to sell.
VCT qualification status
Tax reliefs depend on the VCT maintaining its qualifying status.
If you’re ready to apply and understand the key risks associated with the Octopus AIM VCTs, you can apply now below.
Risks to bear in mind
Capital at risk
The value of an investment, and income from it can fall as well as rise. Investors could end up getting back less than they put in.
Tax rules treatment
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and tax rules could change in the future.
Volatility and liquidity
VCT shares could fall or rise in value more than other shares listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. They may also be harder to sell.
VCT qualification status
Tax reliefs depend on the VCT maintaining its qualifying status.
Portfolio companies
Sosandar
UK retailer focused on underserved segment of the women’s fashion market for ages 35-64.
Craneware
Helps healthcare providers achieve optimal financial and operational performance.
Diaceutics
Provides data, data analytics and implementation services that enables the advancement of genetic analysis.
GB Group
A technology specialist in fraud, location and identity data intelligence.
Performance
| Year to 31 August | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus AIM VCT NAV Total Return¹ | 12.03% | 37.92% | -30.25% | -16.53% | -0.15% |
| Octopus AIM VCT 2 NAV Total Return¹ | 12.30% | 38.28% | -29.22% | -15.99% | 0.78% |
| FTSE AIM All-Share Total Return² | 11.82% | 35.29% | -30.91% | -14.44% | 6.13% |
| FTSE All-Share Total Return² | -12.65% | 26.95% | 1.01% | 5.23% | 16.98% |
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and may not be repeated. Please note, the net asset value (NAV) per share may be higher than the share price, which is the price you may get for shares on the secondary market.
1 NAV Total Return
The performance table above shows the total return of the Octopus AIM VCTs over the last five years to 31 August. The annual total return is calculated from the movement in NAV over the year to 31 August, with any dividends with a record date within that year then added back. The revised figure is divided by the NAV at the start of the year to get the annual total return. Performance shown is net of all ongoing fees and costs.
² FTSE AIM All-Share Total Return
Performance is shown alongside the total returns of the FTSE AIM-All Share indices. Investors should note that none of these indices are used as a benchmark for the Octopus AIM VCTs but are included as indicators of activity in the broader UK equity market.
Fund highlights
Net asset value (NAV)
As at 16 December 2024
AIM VCT
54.4p
AIM VCT 2
40.7p
Funds under management
As at 31 July 2024
AIM VCT
£116m
AIM VCT 2
£84m
Cumulative dividends paid
Since September 2008
AIM VCT
99.2p
AIM VCT 2
70.85p
Number of holdings
As at 31 July 2024
AIM VCT
84
AIM VCT 2
83
Year end date
AIM VCT
28 Feb
AIM VCT 2
30 Nov
Fund inception*
AIM VCT
1997
AIM VCT 2
2005
*Octopus took on management of both funds in September 2008.
Fund updates
Dividend history
View the dividend history for shareholders in the Octopus AIM VCTs.
Shareholder information
See the announcements and reports for shareholders in the Octopus AIM VCTs, and find relevant contact information.
Who could benefit from VCTs?
Our VCT planning scenarios show how different types of clients can benefit from a VCT investment.
Fees and charges
If you are investing in the Octopus AIM VCTs through a financial adviser, here are two ways we can facilitate fees. For other options view page 26 of the Octopus AIM VCTs brochure.
Fees and charges
When investing through a financial adviser, clients have two ways to facilitate fees. For other options view page 26 of the Octopus AIM VCTs brochure.
Through a financial adviser who charges a one-off fee
You can ask for the one-off fee for the investment advice to be paid on your behalf through the VCT.
Through a financial adviser who charges ongoing fees
Where an investor receives ongoing advice, you can choose to pay your financial adviser a smaller initial fee and ongoing fees for as long as you hold the investment. Both of these fees can be paid on your behalf through the VCT.
If you charge a one-off fee
The one off-fee for the investment advice can be paid on your client’s behalf through the VCT.
If you charge ongoing fees
Where your client receives ongoing advice, they can choose to pay you a smaller initial fee and ongoing fees for as long as they hold the investment. Both of these fees can be paid on the investor’s behalf through the VCT.
| Advised (initial only) | Advised (initial and ongoing) | Direct investor | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront charges | Initial fee (to Octopus) | 3% | 3% | 5.5% |
| Adviser charges | Up to 4.5% | Up to 2.5% | – | |
| Ongoing annual charges | Effective annual management charge (to Octopus) ¹ | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Adviser charges ² | – | Up to 0.5% | – | |
| Direct application | Ongoing charge (to Octopus) ² | – | – | 0.5% |
1. Octopus charges an annual management charge of 2% per annum. However, Octopus reduces this by the amount of the maximum ongoing adviser charges which creates an ‘effective rate’ of 1.5% for the first nine years.
2. Ongoing adviser charges, direct charges or commission can only be paid for a maximum of nine years after the investment date. After these charges stop, the effective annual management charge paid to Octopus will revert to the full 2%. If an investor chooses to pay their adviser less than the maximum amount shown, the Octopus AIM VCTs will use the money left over to buy more shares for the investor.
| Advised (initial only) | Advised (initial and ongoing) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront charges | Initial fee (to Octopus) | 3% | 3% |
| Adviser charges | Up to 4.5% | Up to 2.5% | |
| Ongoing annual charges | Effective annual management charge (to Octopus) ¹ | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| Adviser charges ² | – | Up to 0.5% |
1. Octopus charges an annual management charge of 2% per annum. However, Octopus reduces this by the amount of the maximum ongoing adviser charges which creates an ‘effective rate’ of 1.5% for the first nine years.
2. Ongoing adviser charges can only be paid for a maximum of nine years after the investment date. After these charges stop, the effective annual management charge paid to Octopus will revert to the full 2%. If an investor chooses to pay their adviser less than the maximum amount shown, the Octopus AIM VCTs will use the money left over to buy more shares for the investor.
How to invest
The minimum investment amount in the Octopus AIM VCTs is £5,000.
Clients can choose to invest via bank transfer, cheque or banker’s draft.
Clients can only claim tax relief on VCT investments of up to £200,000 in any single tax year.
We will allot clients’ VCT shares at the next available allotment date.
How to invest
Minimum investment is £5,000.
You can choose to invest via bank transfer, cheque or banker’s draft.
You can only claim tax relief on VCT investments of up to £200,000 in any single tax year.
We will allot your VCT shares at the next available allotment date.
You can submit an application online. Our online application form is quick and easy to use and will only take a few minutes to complete.
Contact our team
Get in touch
If you have a question about the Octopus AIM VCTs or an application,
call us on 0800 316 2295.
Read our FAQs
If you have a question about an existing VCT, please visit our FAQ page.
Contact our team
Get in touch
If you have a question about the Octopus AIM VCTs or an application,
call us on 0800 316 2295.
Read our FAQs
If you have a question about an existing VCT, please visit our FAQ page.
Please read: We do not offer investment or tax advice, and we always recommend investors talk to a financial adviser before making investment decisions.
This advertisement is not a prospectus. Investors should only subscribe for shares on the basis of information contained in the prospectus and Key Information Documents (KID), which are available in the document section of this page.