Octopus Investments Review

Statistics

€15584.7M
funded since 2000: 63,000
investors

Figures as the platform publishes them.

How it works

For investors

Minimum: €600
Currencies: GBP
Languages: English

About and licence

Octopus Investments, established in 2000 and headquartered in the United Kingdom, is a prominent investment firm specializing in tax-efficient investment solutions. The company offers a range of products, including Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS), and Business Relief (BR) services, catering primarily to UK investors seeking to support early-stage businesses while benefiting from associated tax reliefs. Octopus Investments is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under registration number 03942880.

Questions people ask

How Does Octopus Investments Work?

Octopus Investments provides investors with access to early-stage companies through its VCTs, EIS, and BR services. Investors can choose from various funds, each managed by experienced teams that identify and support high-potential businesses. For instance, the Octopus Future Generations VCT focuses on companies addressing societal challenges, such as sustainability and healthcare. Investors benefit from tax reliefs, including income tax relief and tax-free dividends, as compensation for the higher risks associated with investing in smaller companies. Project owners, typically early-stage businesses, receive capital and strategic support from Octopus to drive growth and innovation.

What Is the Risk When Investing on Octopus Investments?

Investing through Octopus Investments involves several risks inherent to early-stage companies. These include the potential for business failure, leading to a loss of the invested capital. The value of investments can be volatile, and shares in unquoted companies may be harder to sell, affecting liquidity. While tax reliefs are available, they depend on the investments maintaining their qualifying status and are subject to changes in legislation. Investors should be aware that past performance is not indicative of future results, and the high-risk nature of these investments requires careful consideration and, ideally, consultation with a financial adviser.

What Investments Does Octopus Investments Offer?

Octopus Investments offers a variety of tax-efficient investment products:

Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs): These invest in portfolios of early-stage companies with high growth potential. For example, the Octopus Titan VCT focuses on tech-enabled businesses, while the Octopus Future Generations VCT invests in companies addressing sustainability and healthcare challenges.
Enterprise Investment Schemes (EIS): These provide investors with opportunities to invest in early-stage businesses, offering tax reliefs to compensate for the higher risks. The Octopus Ventures EIS Service, for instance, targets a portfolio of 10-15 early-stage companies.
Business Relief (BR): This service helps investors pass on more of their wealth by investing in companies that qualify for business relief, potentially reducing inheritance tax liabilities.