Venture Capital Trust Association (VCTA)

We are very excited to share our latest report celebrating 30 years of VCTs: The Changing Faces of VCTs. "One of the unique strengths of VCTs is their capacity to adapt and evolve. As this report highlights, the VCT industry is fostering a new generation of talent and technology, and we have a real opportunity to futureproof the UK’s status as a world-leading hub for venture capital. I would like to thank the members of the Venture Capital Trust Association for their ongoing support, and their contributions to this report. Our membership also thanks Lord Clarke for agreeing to become honorary President of the VCT Association. Together with Lord Clarke, we shall continue working towards a vibrant future for the UK venture capital community." - Chris Lewis, Chair of the VCTA commented in his foreword. The report looks in depth at the history of VCTs following Lord Clarke’s announcement of the scheme 30 years ago, as well as the long-term impacts of the scheme, startup growth, emerging industries, regional impact, and how VCT are continuing to drive innovation across the UK. The report also explores the opportunity to strengthen the role played by VCTs in backing research-intensive companies, by amending annual and lifetime limits of the scheme, as well as how key stakeholders across the VCT industry – from VCT boards to investment managers and industry advisers – are working together to ensure that women-led businesses can access the funding they need to grow. Read the full report through the link below: https://lnkd.in/eDXhb7mP

We were pleased to see the news that Maven Capital Partners Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) have led a £4.5m investment in Blackdot Solutions, a leading provider of intelligence and investigations software. The investment will be used to help Blackdot increase its headcount, with a focus on technical expertise and business development. The company also plans to enhance automation and AI capabilities within its product and scale its go-to-market strategy to drive growth in both existing and new markets.   This is evidence of the continued role played by VCTs in providing patient capital for businesses in high-growth sectors, driving the innovation economy and shaping the future.   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e_jB2i4c   #vct #investment #innovation

As we continue to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the VCT scheme, Chris Lewis, Chair of the VCTA, sat down with IFA Magazine for a wide-ranging Q&A on the past, present and future of the scheme. In the interview, Chris discusses the ways in which VCTs have become more visible following the Autumn budget, some of the VCTA’s suggested policy reforms in terms of age limits and funding, how VCTs will fare in the face of economic challenges, and how the scheme is continuing to provide support for technological innovation.   Read more below: https://lnkd.in/eeCu37sD   #investing #vct

We were very encouraged to see Two Baronsmead venture capital trusts launch a £50m funding drive this month, as the VCT fundraising boom continues.   The VCTs, managed by VCTA member Gresham House Ventures, are targeting a £30m share offer with an over-allotment option of £20m, meaning they are able to issue new shares if there is demand from investors.   Despite the economic turbulence of the past year, VCTs are continuing to demonstrate remarkable resilience and retain investor confidence, underscored by the continued push in fundraising. Read more below: https://lnkd.in/ePj9GGKF

🎉 30 Years of VCTs: Supporting UK Growth and Innovation 🎉 For three decades, the VCT scheme has been a driving force behind the success of UK small and medium-sized businesses. By unlocking vital funding for ambitious entrepreneurs, VCTs have fuelled growth, created jobs, and built a lasting legacy of innovation. In a recent article for PA Adviser, Chris Lewis reflects on the history of VCTs, their resilience through economic cycles, and their continued importance in fostering growth across sectors including technology, healthcare, and sustainability. As we celebrate 30 years of VCTs, we are reminded of their pivotal role in shaping the future of the UK economy. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_nThwhR #VCT #UKGrowth #Investment #Innovation

Chris Lewis, Chair of the VCTA, reflects on the VCTA's Greater Manchester Startup Roundtable, a conversation which was guided by key questions about the challenges startups face in securing funding and how investors can better address these obstacles. Read more below:

"Where it has traditionally been difficult for retail investors to gain access to investments in high-growth, private companies, VCTs have provided a route to backing a portfolio of these start-ups and scale-ups.” In light of the VCT scheme’s 30th anniversary, Chris Lewis, Chair of the VCTA, spoke with This Is Money about how the scheme has become more relevant to investors in recent years and the ways in which it has transformed the funding landscape for entrepreneurs.   Chris also discusses how some of the changes brought in by the Autumn budget have increased the visibility of VCTs, as well as why HM Treasury’s decision to formally extend the sunset clause is a boost to investor confidence. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g5NCxz9m   #investing #entrepreneurs #vct

🎉 Today marks 30 years since then-Chancellor Ken Clarke introduced Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) to Parliament in November 1994. 🎉   VCTs have since grown into a cornerstone of the UK’s investment landscape, providing essential financial support to the nation’s most forward-thinking businesses, creating stable jobs, and managing a significant amount of patient capital:   - Since 2016, VCTA members have invested an impressive £3.6 billion - Over 106,000 people are currently employed by VCT-backed businesses - VCTs manage over £6.5bn in assets, demonstrating the scale and significance of the VCT industry in supporting the UK's entrepreneurial ecosystem   As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we remain focused on the future. VCTs are not only vital in supporting the ambitions of UK entrepreneurs but also in helping to tackle key challenges, from advancing sustainable technologies to driving economic growth.   Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Here’s to the next 30 years of VCT success!   #Investing #VCT #Innovation

“When I first started, it felt much more male dominated. In the past couple of years, we’ve definitely seen funds open up to having a different range of experience, operators, people from investor relations background, and ex-founders, which I think is exciting.”   Emma Biasiolo, Investment Director at VCTA member firm Beringea, recently spoke with Tara O'Connor at FTAdviser about the changes she has seen in the industry during her seven years working on the investment side.   Emma also discusses the progress made by Beringea, manager of the ProVen VCTs, including a commitment to female founders through being a signatory of the Investing in Women Code, and how that progress trickles down to the companies the firm invests in. She also acknowledges the work which still needs to be done across the sector, with all parts of investment firms needing to play their part.   Commitment to female founded businesses and diversity more broadly remain priority areas for the VCT industry and we look forward to building on the progress being made across the association. To read the full article, please click below: https://lnkd.in/e3zbTY_z   #diversity #investment

The VCTA recently hosted a Greater Manchester Startup Roundtable with Josh Simons MP, chaired by David Hall, for a discussion on the opportunities and barriers for venture capital investment in Greater Manchester, and how the private sector and government could work together to help drive more investment to start-ups and scale-ups in the region.   We would like to thank Josh Simons MP along with all other attendees, Chris Lewis, Robert Edwards, Jodie Miller, Tom Dunlop, Guy Battle, Christiana Stewart-Lockhart, Rob Jones and Shivani H Menon for taking part and making the event such a success.   Thanks also go to Matillion for hosting, and SEC Newgate UK for organising the event.   #roundtable #investment #venturecapital