Guinness Knowledge Intensive EIS 2024/25
Fundraising Status: Now Open
Since 2010 Guinness Ventures has been investing into the most exciting British growth companies that require capital to scale their businesses. Our flagship Guinness EIS Service is an evergreen EIS fund with over 50 investments and more than £250 million of assets under management.
We are pleased to now bring you our Guinness Knowledge Intensive EIS 2024/25, which targets investment into UK high-growth, knowledge intensive companies.
The Fund will close to new investments on 2nd April 2025, allowing for income tax relief in the 2024/25 tax year and/or 2023/24 via carry back.
We are targeting fully investing the fund by 2nd April 2026. We look to build diversified portfolios for our investors and do this by investing across a range of sectors. Targeting revenue generating scale-up companies so that we can focus on companies that have already proved their product, service or technology.
Next deadline: 2nd April 2025
Invested in success
We focus on investing in companies that already have a proven product, service or technology, but are looking to gain traction in their respective markets. These companies seek to raise scale-up funds to further commercialise their product or service.
Our investment team seek to identify businesses that have demonstrated the ability to raise and appropriately employ seed stage funding and now require further funding to accelerate growth and deliver shareholder returns.
We draw on the extensive investment management, venture capital and private equity experience of our highly experienced investment team who are truly invested in the success of the companies that make up our portfolio.
Knowledge Intensive EIS Investment Strategy
We intend to make at least 10 investments per client portfolio in companies from a range of sectors that offer our target investment characteristics.
Experienced management teams
Guinness look for experienced and competent management teams with a strong understanding of their market and competitive position, and with a track record of building and selling companies.
Good visibility on future growth
Maturing companies and businesses with clearly defined growth paths. The Manager favours businesses with a proven technology, service or product.
Robust deal dynamics
Companies should have strong competitive positioning, underpinned by a realistic business plan. Investments structured to maximise returns and allow Guinness to protect their investors' interest.
The Investment Process
Origination
The Investment Manager sources Investments through its networks of contacts. Guinness Asset Management has made more over 100 EIS investments since 2011, and has consequently established a broad pipeline of investment opportunities and introducers. All origination leads are discussed at the Investment Manager's regular pipeline meetings where they are prioritised according to the investment strategy.
Due Diligence
Origination leads that have been prioritised are initially screened internally. The Investment Manager will usually secure a period of exclusivity while due diligence is completed. This may involve external advisers and concludes with negotiating investment terms. The findings are compiled into an investment memorandum, which is circulated to the Investment Committee for discussion at Investment Committee meetings.
Transaction
If the Investment Committee grants final approval for a potential investment, the Investment Manager will set a budget and time frame for completing the transaction. The Investment Manager manages transactions internally, but also engages third parties such as lawyers and accountants for transaction support.
Monitoring
The Investment Manager usually seeks Board positions in Investee Companies. They seek to establish regular formal communication with management teams. The Investment Manager closely monitors each Investee Company during the life of an Investment. Investee Companies are also required to provide the Investment Manager with regular management reports and financial statements.
Exit
The Investment Manager actively monitors opportunities for exits of individual investments. Any potential exit strategy will be described in a short-form memorandum and submitted to the Investment Committee for final approval prior to the commencement of any sale process.
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