On their 30th birthday, could 2024/25 be a good time to invest in Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)? We get the views of three respected and very different VCT managers: Chris Lewis, Pembroke VCT (current chair of the Venture Capital Trust Association); Seb Wallace, Triple Point Venture VCT; and Paul Davidson, Octopus Apollo VCT. In this discussion:

➢ What have the last few years been like for VCTs?

➢ “You’re forged in fire a bit more now as a founder…”

➢ A step change: how Britain sees entrepreneurship

➢ “For a while it seemed anyone could build a billion pound business, but…”

➢ What kind of companies is the UK good at building?

➢ What is a good exit for VCT investors?

➢ Ultimately, why should investors consider VCTs in 2024/25?

For more information on VCTs, see https://www.wealthclub.co.uk/about-vcts/.

IMPORTANT

Investors can buy shares in Microsoft, Adobe, Intuit and others on the main stock markets. But if you like the investment profile of software companies, what about the thousands of privately owned businesses in this sector? What are their characteristics for investors, and how could you get exposure to them? We talk to Luke Finch of Hg Capital to understand this niche area of private equity.

How can experienced investors in the UK get exposure to private markets – that is, private equity, and other sectors including private debt, real estate and infrastructure – that aren’t available on the main stock markets? We talk to Jonathan Orr of Apollo Global Management to understand more about the asset class.

IMPORTANT: The opinions expressed are the interviewee’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Wealth Club Limited. This interview, like our service, is not advice and the products featured are not suitable for everyone. Private markets investments require a long term outlook and are less liquid than mainstream investments. You could lose your capital. If you’re unsure an investment is right for you, please seek professional advice.

You can find out more at https://www.wealthclub.co.uk/y/private-markets.

We talk to Joe Cornwall of Puma Investments about the upsides and downsides of current market conditions on AIM, and some examples of companies they invest in past and present.

IMPORTANT:
The opinions expressed in this video are the interviewee’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Wealth Club Limited. This interview, like our service, is not advice and the products featured are not suitable for everyone. AIM investments are higher risk and less liquid than mainstream investments. You could lose your capital. Tax rules can change and tax benefits depend on your circumstances. If you’re unsure an investment is right for you, please seek professional advice.

Is 2024 a good time to be investing in AIM shares? What are the Inheritance Tax reliefs and how do they work? We talk to Richard Power of the Octopus Investments smaller companies team to hear about AIM stock picking in the present market, a recent investment in hVivo which runs London’s well known “Flu Camp”, and how long-term holdings RWS and Renew are faring. For more details on Octopus AIM IHT Service, including documents & how to invest, see https://www.wealthclub.co.uk/y/octopus-aim-iht/.

In this interview:

IMPORTANT
The opinions expressed in this video are the interviewee’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Wealth Club Limited. This interview, like our service, is not advice and the products featured are not suitable for everyone. AIM investments are higher risk and less liquid than mainstream investments. You could lose your capital. Tax rules can change and tax benefits depend on your circumstances. If you’re unsure an investment is right for you, please seek professional advice.

How has the first year gone for Charlie Huggins’s high-conviction Quality Shares Portfolio at Wealth Club? Which companies have performed well, or not so well, and why? Charlie runs through the 12 months performance with Alex Davies. Some highlights:

To find out more please visit https://www.wealthclub.co.uk/charlie.

IMPORTANT: This interview outlines Charlie’s investment views. It is not a personal recommendation to make, sell, or hold any investment. The Quality Shares Portfolio is a long-term investment. Past performance is not a guide to the future. The value of investments and any income from them can fall and you may get back less than you invest.

Octopus Titan VCT is the largest Venture Capital Trust. It aims to offer UK investors exposure to the venture capital asset class. The manager, Octopus Ventures, is looking for “this needle in a haystack” – a combination of factors in an early-stage (seed, Series A) company that gives it the potential to become a household name. So which companies have they backed lately? Who are the stars among the more established holdings? And how have widespread dips in technology company valuations affected the VCT? Watch now to learn more

Last year the average turnover of companies Guinness EIS Fund invested in was over £5 million. They aim to select well-established businesses and help them on their growth path. So who is behind the fund, how do they operate, and what businesses have they invested in recently? Listen to Shane Gallwey of Guinness Ventures to learn more. In this interview:

IMPORTANT
The opinions expressed in this video are the interviewee’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Wealth Club Limited. This interview, like our service, is not advice. EIS investments are high risk and illiquid. You could lose the capital you invest. If in doubt, seek advice.

Stuart Veale is managing partner of Beringea – the manager of two Venture Capital Trusts, the ProVen VCTs. What sort of companies have they invested in this year? How is the existing portfolio performing? Who are the rising stars, and recent exits? Watch now to learn more… In this interview:

• Why ProVen VCTs invested in Dash Water – a UK seltzer water pioneer – and Lucky Saint, the UK’s leading independent no-alcohol beer company
• Investing in Gorilla – energy industry forecasting and pricing tools
• Their investment in two ‘circular economy’ companies – MPB.com (pre-owned photographic equipment) and Luxury Promise (authenticated pre-owned designer handbags)
• Besides funding, how does Beringea help these companies succeed? What role does the US office play?
• A success story (and recent exit): luxury jewellery company Monica Vinader
• Risks of early stage investing

IMPORTANT
The opinions expressed in this episode are the interviewee’s own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Wealth Club Limited. This interview, like our service, is not advice. Venture Capital Trusts are higher risk and less liquid than mainstream investments. You could lose your capital. Tax rules can change and tax benefits depend on your circumstances. If you’re unsure an investment is right for you, please seek professional advice.

Octopus Apollo VCT is the UK’s second largest Venture Capital Trust, and has outperformed many of its peers over the last five years as its investment focus – business-to-business software companies – has weathered recent economic headwinds better than many other growth sectors. Hear from manager Richard Court about how and why they do what they do. In this interview: