Venture Capital Trusts Explained

The UK is one of the world’s most successful markets for entrepreneurial small companies. However, companies that start small usually need investment capital to help them grow and develop.

Recognising that investing in such companies involves taking more risk than investing in larger listed companies (for example, BP or Vodafone), the government introduced Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) in 1995 as a way of encouraging investment into Britain’s exciting, entrepreneurial businesses. In the nearly three decades since they were introduced, VCTs have helped to create jobs, reward innovation and bolster the UK economy.

Some companies that started off with funding from VCTs have grown to become household names in their own right. Some have achieved a listing on the London Stock Exchange and some have been sold to global brands, such as Microsoft, Amazon and X (formally Twitter).

As well as providing investors with an easy way to access these small, unlisted or AIM-listed companies, VCTs offer a number of tax reliefs. VCTs offer up to 30% upfront income tax relief, tax-free dividends and an exemption from capital gains tax on the shares should they rise in value. It’s important to understand that smaller companies can struggle in their early years, and some will not be successful. Therefore, the tax incentives are there to help compensate investors for the risk they take with their money.

We think VCTs offer great investment potential, with some exciting tax benefits attached. However, VCTs are not suitable for everyone, which is why we always recommend talking to a financial adviser before deciding to invest.

Did you know: £1 billion was invested into VCTs in the 2022/23 tax year.

Venture Capital Trust statistics: 2023, HMRC, May 2024.

Understanding the risks of VCT investments

All investments contain an element of risk, and VCTs are no exception. In fact, because they invest in small, unlisted or AIM-listed companies, VCTs should be considered as high-risk investments.

We’ve outlined some of the risks below, but you should always refer to a specific VCT’s product literature and talk to a professional financial adviser about how the risks could apply to you.

1) Your capital is at risk and you could lose money

The value of a VCT investment, and any income from it, can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the full amount you invest.

2) Investing in smaller companies is considered a high-risk investment

VCTs invest in smaller companies that are often not listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Investments in smaller companies can fall or rise in value much more sharply than shares in larger, more established companies. They also have a higher rate of failure.

3) This is a long-term investment

You should be prepared to hold VCT shares for a minimum of five years. If you decide to sell your shares before then, you will be required to repay to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) any upfront income tax relief you’ve claimed. 

4) Your shares may be difficult to sell 

There isn’t an active market for VCT shares in the way there is for shares in bigger listed companies. This means that if you decide to sell your VCT shares, it may take time to find a buyer, or you may have to accept a price lower than the net asset value (NAV) of the VCT. Please refer to the frequently asked questions section for more information on how to sell your shares.

5) Tax rules can change

The VCT tax benefits we’ve described in this guide are correct at the time of going to print. However, rates of tax, tax benefits and tax allowances do change. In addition, the tax benefits available to you through this investment depend on your own personal circumstances. To ensure that VCT money continues to support government policy objectives, HM Treasury can also change the definition of a VCT-qualifying investment in the future. This could impact the nature of new investments a VCT can make over time.

6) The VCT’s qualifying status could end

There is no guarantee that VCTs will maintain their VCT status. If VCTs lose their qualifying status, tax advantages will be withdrawn from that point. Additionally, if a VCT loses its status within five years of your initial investment, you will be asked to repay any upfront income tax relief that you have already claimed.

“At Octopus we believe in being totally transparent and honest with our customers. We want them to fully understand how their money is being invested, and the importance of reviewing the risks before making an investment.”

John Averill, Chief Risk Officer, Octopus Investments

Some useful VCT statistics 

The first VCT was launched in 1995, and the VCT industry has grown remarkably since then. VCTs can offer significant benefits for investors, but they also provide a valuable source of funding for hundreds of UK smaller companies. The statistics show there’s a clear and positive impact for many companies that obtain VCT funding.

“VCTs have worked for nearly three decades to help build the vibrant early-stage ecosystem that exists for entrepreneurs in the UK today.”

Benjamin Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Octopus Investments

How do VCTs work?

A VCT works in a very similar way to a standard investment trust, one of the oldest forms of collective investment.

A VCT is a listed company in its own right that pools together money from investors and uses it to buy stakes in VCT-qualifying, often privately owned companies. It’s important to note that if you invest in a VCT, you hold shares in the VCT itself, rather than shares in the underlying companies the VCT invests in. If you choose to invest, you will receive a share certificate for the amount you’ve invested. You will also receive a tax certificate that allows you to claim the 30% upfront income tax relief from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

As listed companies, VCT shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange. A VCT must: 

• Publish its own annual report and accounts. 
• Have an independent Board of Directors to look after the interests of shareholders. 
• Hold general meetings for shareholders, including an annual general meeting (AGM). 
• Meet standard corporate governance requirements, just like any public company.

One of the benefits of investing in an established VCT is that by purchasing shares in the VCT itself, you then have immediate access to an existing portfolio of companies. The Government has some strict rules in place about the types of companies that qualify for inclusion in a VCT, and we explain these in more detail later.

What types of VCT are available?

Each VCT will have its own set of objectives. Some may focus on early stage companies that are yet to make a profit, while some could invest in more established businesses with an element of maturity. It’s therefore important to find out a VCT’s investment strategy before deciding if it’s right for you.

1) Generalist VCTs

Around three quarters of all VCTs belong to this category. Generalist VCTs invest in companies spread across a range of different industries and sectors. The ambition is to create a diversified portfolio of investments which aim to fulfil the mandate of the VCT.

2) AIM VCTs

The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) is the junior market for the London Stock Exchange. It was launched in the same year as VCTs with a similar purpose: to help the growth of UK smaller companies. Unlike other VCT-qualifying companies, AIM-listed companies have a daily market price and have to meet certain regulatory requirements to continue to be listed on AIM. As AIM is a stock exchange, VCT-qualifying shares listed on AIM are easier to buy and sell than shares of privately owned, unlisted companies.

3) Specialist VCTs

As the name implies, specialist VCTs have much more focused investment objectives. They invest in specific industry sectors such as energy, infrastructure or bio-technology. Concentrating on a single sector typically involves more specific investment risk, but it could also offer higher returns if the chosen sector does particularly well.

The lifespan of a VCT

In terms of investment lifespan, there are two types of VCTs. Some are set up to last indefinitely, and are often called ‘evergreen’. These VCTs aim to provide long-term capital growth and/or a steady stream of dividends. The alternative is a ‘limited life’ VCT, which will be closed as soon as possible after the VCT’s minimum holding period of five years has ended. At this point, the VCT will sell its assets and distribute the proceeds to its shareholders.

Which companies can be included in a VCT?

There are a number of rules in place to determine which companies are eligible for VCT funding and be included within the portfolio. HM Treasury sets these rules to make sure that VCTs continue to meet the Government’s policy objectives , with money being directed to those companies most in need of finance to grow.

1) Allowable business activities 

To receive VCT funds, a company must have a permanent establishment in the UK and carry out what HM Revenue & Customs calls a ‘qualifying trade’. Most trades are allowed, but with a number of exceptions that HM Treasury do not believe are in need of additional financing support. Some examples of these currently include land dealing, financial activities, forestry, farming, running hotels and energy generation.

2) Company size 

A company can qualify for VCT investment if it has gross assets of £15 million or less at the time of the investment, or £16 million immediately afterwards. The company must have fewer than 250 full-time employees when the investment is made.

3) Investment amounts

A VCT can invest up to 15% of its money in a single company. Each company is allowed to receive up to £5 million of VCT or other tax-efficient funding in any twelve-month period, with a cap of £12 million over its lifetime.

4) Age of company 

VCTs are expected to invest in companies that are less than seven years old from the date of their first commercial sale. However, there are exceptions for ‘follow-on’ investments and where an established company is looking to raise a significant amount of capital to enter a new product or geographic market.

5) Knowledge-intensive companies 

To support Government policy objectives, the funding rules are expanded for companies that have a large proportion of highly skilled workers or meet certain innovative conditions. These ‘knowledge-intensive companies’ can have up to 500 employees, up to twelve years in which to receive their initial VCT funding and a more generous lifetime investment cap of £20 million.

A note on portfolio management

There are also rules that dictate how a portfolio of VCT investments should be constructed and managed. For example, after a VCT has raised money from investors, it has three years in which to invest it. Also, at least 80% of a VCT’s portfolio must be invested in VCT-qualifying companies. The remainder can be held as cash or invested into cash equivalents which can be readily realised within seven days – such as money market funds or shares listed on the FTSE.

Frequently asked questions

How can I buy VCT shares? 

There are two ways to buy VCT shares:

1. You can invest by applying for shares when a VCT is open for new investment (known as a ‘new share offer’). This involves:
   • Reading the new share offer prospectus. 
   • Completing an application form.  
   • Sending a cheque or electronic payment.

You can invest directly, through an online discount broker or through a financial adviser. But because VCTs are high-risk investments, here at Octopus, we always recommend you talk to a financial adviser before making any investment decision. 

2. As a VCT is a listed company, you can also buy VCT shares on the open market, usually through a stockbroker. These are ‘second-hand’ shares that have already been owned previously. As a result, they do not offer the same upfront income tax relief that is available with new VCT shares. However, you will still be able to take advantage of any tax-free income and growth. You should note that second-hand VCT shares will still count towards your £200,000 tax-free limit for VCT shares per tax year.

Whichever route you choose, you should read the information provided carefully and make sure you understand the risks involved. You should also consider any costs and charges associated with making a specific investment, and make sure you are happy with them.

How can I sell VCT shares? 

As second-hand VCT shares do not offer upfront income tax relief, the market for second-hand shares is very limited, which can make it difficult to sell VCT shares at a fair price. To solve this, the Board of Directors for most VCTs offer to ‘buy back’ VCT shares from existing investors at a small discount to the NAV of the shares. 

However, VCTs are under no obligation to offer buybacks to shareholders, and will only do so if they have sufficient cash reserves to meet their obligations. Discounts to NAV can vary by VCT and are typically around 5–10%, so it’s worth looking for a VCT with an established track record of buying shares back from its investors at a small discount to NAV. As the price of VCT shares is quoted on the London Stock Exchange, the alternative way to sell your VCT shares is through a stockbroker or via a share dealing account. However, it is worth noting that the price you are quoted to buy or sell VCT shares may not reflect their underlying NAV. 

You can choose to sell your shares at any point but if you sell your shares before the five-year minimum holding period has ended, you will have to tell HMRC and repay any upfront income tax relief claimed.

How do I claim my income tax relief?

After you invest in a VCT, you will receive two certificates.

1. Your VCT share certificate shows how many shares you own. You need to keep this safe, as you’ll need it when you decide to sell your shares.
2. Your VCT tax certificate enables you to claim your upfront income tax relief from HMRC.

If you pay tax under PAYE, then you have two options depending on the timing of the purchase. You can call HMRC and have your tax code adjusted immediately and start paying less tax. Otherwise you can simply claim your income tax relief through your Self Assessment form at the end of the tax year. Check out our How to Claim VCT Tax Relief guide for more information.

What happens to my VCT shares when I die?

When you die, your investment will form part of your estate and will be passed on to your beneficiaries, who can choose to sell the shares or transfer the investment into someone else’s name. Your estate will not have to repay any upfront income tax relief already claimed if you die within five years of holding the investment. The dividends paid by your VCT will still be tax free, and there will be no capital gains tax to pay on the growth of the investment when your beneficiaries choose to sell it.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Venture Capital Trusts?

There are benefits and risks associated with investing in VCTs.

Advantages of investing in Venture Capital Trusts are:

• It’s an exciting investment in early-stage companies.
• Early-stage companies have the potential to grow faster than bigger companies listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange.
• Up to 30% income tax relief is available on the amount invested, up to £200,000.
• VCTs can generate additional income through dividends, often targeting a regular tax-free return of 5% per year. They can also pay special dividends if the portfolio has a successful period.
• If a profit is made when selling VCT shares, proceeds aren’t liable for capital gains tax.
• VCTs can help investors diversify their overall investment portfolio. Early-stage companies can follow a different cycle to investments in other parts of the market.
• VCTs help support innovation and growth of the UK economy, by helping smaller companies to grow and create jobs and prosperity across the country.

Disadvantages of investing in Venture Capital Trusts are:

• Investing in early-stage companies is unpredictable and only suitable for investors who are comfortable with high risk.
• Investments could fall in value, potentially to zero, and investors may not get back what they invest.
• Investments in smaller companies can be volatile. Their 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.
• Tax relief isn’t guaranteed. Tax reliefs, rates of tax and tax allowances are based on current legislation. Tax rules could change in the future.
• Tax treatment depends on an investor’s individual circumstances. And tax reliefs depend on a VCT maintaining its qualifying status.
• VCTs are long term investments. Investors must hold VCT shares for at least five years to benefit from tax relief (if shares are sold before then, any upfront income tax relief that has been claimed must be repaid).

VCTs from Octopus

Octopus is the largest provider of VCTs in the market¹. Take a look at the different VCTs we manage.

¹By funds under management. The Association of Investment Companies, July 2023