Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.
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Risk Summary

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?

  • You could lose all the money you invest
  • Most investments are shares in start-up businesses or bonds issued by them. Investors in these shares or bonds often lose 100% of the money they invested, as most start-up businesses fail.
  • Checks on the businesses you are investing in, such as how well they are expected to perform, may not have been carried out by the platform you are investing through. You should do your own research before investing.

You won't get your money back quickly

  • Even if the business you invest in is successful, it will likely take several years to get your money back.
  • 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.
  • Start-up businesses very rarely pay you back through dividends. You should not expect to get your money back this way.
  • Some platforms may give you the opportunity to sell your investment early through a 'secondary market' or 'bulletin board', but there is no guarantee you will find a buyer at the price you are willing to sell.

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 any one to do well. A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. Learn more here.

The value of your investment can be reduced

  • If your investment is shares, 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.

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.
  • Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated platform, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website here.

For further information about investment-based crowdfunding, visit the crowdfunding section of the FCA's website here.
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Alternative Investments
Harvey Hall
· 2 min read
· Updated on

Growth Capital Ventures launches Private Investor Network, GCV Invest

Durham, UK 

Growth Capital Ventures (GCV), an FCA Authorised Investment Firm with offices in County Durham and London, today announced the launch of GCV Invest, a new business division focused on providing experienced investors with access to high-quality investment opportunities across three core asset classes: venture capital, private equity and property.

GCV Invest offers a unique approach to investing, allowing suitably experienced investors to construct a bespoke, well-diversified investment portfolio on a deal-by-deal basis. The network provides exposure to some of the best-performing alternative asset classes, with many of the investment opportunities benefiting from EIS and SEIS tax reliefs.

"We are excited to launch GCV Invest, which represents a significant expansion of our offering to experienced investors," said Craig Peterson, Chief Operating Officer of GCV. "Our approach is designed to provide investors with access to carefully selected investment opportunities across three core asset classes, and to allow them to build a bespoke portfolio that meets their specific investment goals and risk appetite."

GCV Invest will focus on three key areas of activity:

Deal sourcing: GCV Invest will use its extensive network and expertise to identify high-quality investment opportunities across the venture capital, private equity and property asset classes.

Investment management: GCV Invest will provide investors with access to a range of investment opportunities, with a focus on carefully selecting investments that offer attractive risk-adjusted returns.

Support and guidance: GCV Invest will provide investors with ongoing support and guidance, helping them to construct a well-diversified portfolio that meets their specific investment goals.

"GCV Invest is well-positioned to provide experienced investors with access to some of the best-performing alternative asset classes and to help them construct a diversified portfolio," said Peterson. "We look forward to working with investors to provide them with the support and guidance they need to make informed investment decisions and achieve their financial objectives."

For more information about GCV Invest and Growth Capital Ventures, please visit www.growthcapitalventures.co.uk

About Growth Capital Ventures:

Growth Capital Ventures is an FCA Authorised Investment Firm that operates across two business units:

GCV Invest – Private Investor Network for experienced investors specialising in alternative investments across three core asset classes: venture capital, private equity and property. 

GCV Labs – Impact-driven Venture Builder dedicated to launching products and new ventures that make a positive difference to society, the environment, and the economy.

With offices in the North East of England and London, GCV has a proven track record of creating, launching, scaling and exiting businesses, providing investors with the ability to access tax-efficient opportunities and build a well-diversified investment portfolio. 

Contact: 0330 102 5525

For media enquiries, please contact Harvey Hall, Investor Communications and Marketing Executive: harvey.hall@growthcapitalventures.co.uk 
Driving Growth.
Creating Value.
Delivering Impact.

Backed by

Growth Capital Ventures (GCV) is backed by funds managed by Maven Capital Partners, one of the UK’s leading private equity and alternative asset managers.