VCT vs. EIS – what’s the difference?

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    Chris Godfrey

    Page written by Chris Godfrey. Last reviewed on May 18, 2023. Next review due April 6, 2025.

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      The VCT and EIS business investment schemes are designed for SMEs and investors, but which one’s best for you?

      The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are Government backed investment programmes for companies. Offering generous tax relief to private investors, these programmes raise new money for businesses in need of growth investment. Since its introduction in 1994, EIS has helped over 32,000 businesses raise more than £24 billion in investments and in 2020/21, investors used VCTs to purchase a record £668 million of shares in up and coming companies.

      Clearly, these programmes are more than popular, but at first glance, they appear to be the same thing – both encourage investment in young companies, and both provide tax relief to individual investors. However, beyond these similarities, there are significant differences between the schemes. To get the best from either programme, it’s important that business owners and investors understand the variables and know the pros and cons.

      What is the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)?

      The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is a UK Government backed investment programme designed to support high-growth potential, smaller and younger companies. However, EIS is not a source of venture capital. It is an incentive scheme. The Government does not provide any cash in this programme. Instead, EIS provides tax relief to individual investors who buy shares in qualifying trade companies – which should make it easier for those businesses to attract the equity finance they need.

      How does EIS work?

      Unlike its sister programme SEIS (the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme), which supports startups and very new businesses, EIS supports larger and more established organisations – those with up to seven years trading history and 250 employees. (See the full rules and conditions). Businesses seeking to raise capital with EIS should first secure proof of their eligibility for the scheme by obtaining Advance Assurance from HMRC. This will assure investors that the company they are investing in is eligible for the scheme. If it’s not, they will not get their tax breaks. Individual or corporate investors can invest up to £1 million per tax year and the company can accept up to £5 million per tax year and no more than £12 million EIS funding total.

      EIS has different criteria for Knowledge Intensive Companies – (KIC) – which are typically those with high research/development costs and requirements. These companies can accept EIS funding within ten years of trading and may have up to 500 employees. Individual or corporate investors can invest up to £2 million per tax year in KIC businesses which may accept up to £10 million per tax year and up to £20 million EIS funding total.

      In both cases, only individual, private investors may claim a tax break. Corporate investors may invest under EIS, but they are not eligible for tax relief.

      Key investment rules in EIS for KIC and Non-KIC companies
       Non-KICKIC
      Company locationUKUK
      Maximum trading age of business7 years10 years 
      Maximum number of employees250500
      Maximum gross assets£15m£15m
      Maximum investment allowed£12m£20m
      Corporate investors allowedYes, but no tax reliefYes, but no tax relief
      Funds must be spent within2 years2 years
      Initial tax relief rate30%30%
      Capital Gains Tax reliefYesYes
      Loss reliefYesYes

      What is a Venture Capital Trust (VCT)?

      Just like EIS, VCTs are designed to support high-growth potential, smaller and younger companies. Also, like EIS, the Government does not provide any cash in this scheme. Instead, HMRC offers tax relief as an incentive for individual investors to invest in VCTs, which are private investment entities, managed by fund managers and listed on recognised stock exchanges. Venture Capital Trusts allow investors to indirectly invest in high-growth potential companies by subscribing for shares in a VCT, which then onward invests in qualifying trade companies, providing them with funds they need to develop and grow.

      How does a VCT work?

      Treading the same path as EIS, VCT’s support larger and more established organisations – those with up to seven years trading history and 250 employees. (See the rules here). However, beyond this similarity, the VCT path soon diverges from EIS. In a Venture Capital Trust, the investor subscribes for shares in the VCT, not in the underlying high-growth companies. Effectively, VCTs act as an investment hub – pooling investor cash that is re-invested in young companies – which is why VCT investment is called indirect instead of direct investing. The VCT fund managers obtain Advance Assurance for each company they invest in to assure investors that the business is eligible for tax relief under VCT rules. Individual or corporate investors can invest up to £200,000 per tax year and the companies in the VCT pool can each accept up to £5 million per tax year and no more than £12 million VCT funding total.

      VCT also has different criteria for Knowledge Intensive Companies – (KIC). With VCT, these companies can accept funding within ten years of trading and may have up to 500 employees. Individual or corporate investors can invest up to £200,000 per tax year in KIC businesses which may accept up to £10 million per tax year and up to £20 million VCT funding total.

      In both cases, only individual, private investors may claim a tax break. Corporate investors may invest under VCT, but they are not eligible for tax relief.

      VCT vs EIS – what’s the difference?

      Firstly, there’s the yawning gap between the investment caps on both schemes. EIS will allow up to £2 million investment per investor, per tax year, whereas VCT will allow only £200,000 per investor, per tax year. However, beyond the numbers, the biggest difference is in the management of the investments.

      With EIS, the investor is largely on their own. They pick the company, they allocate their funds, they observe the performance of their investment, and they make the call on when to exit from the opportunity It’s a hands-on affair. Alternatively, with VCTs, the investor places their funds in the care of a Venture Capital Trust – an investment company listed on the stock exchange that buys shares in high potential, unquoted businesses. Think of VCTs as adventurous money managers – they seek high-potential investments, allocate client funds to those opportunities, observe progress, and then decide when to step out of the deal. Apart from choosing their fund manager, the investor does very little with a VCT. They still invest in high potential businesses, but most of the footwork and paperwork is done for them – and of course, they pay management fees for the convenience. According to the government, there were 40 active VCTs in the UK raising funds and 57 VCT’s managing funds in 2020/21.

      In addition to the fact that EIS will allow ten times the investment compared to VCT, and that one scheme is fully managed, and one is not, there are other differences in the structure of the schemes:

      EIS vs VCTs, comparisons
       EISVCT
      ManagementInvestorFund Manager
      Maximum investment per investor per tax year£1 million                                                 £2 million for KIC£200,000                                     £200,000 for KIC
      Maximum investment (company) per tax year£5 million                                                   £10 million for KIC£5 million                                             £10 million for KIC
      Maximum investment (company) total£12 million                                     £20million for KIC£12 million                                        £20 million for KIC
      Income Tax relief30%30%
      Holding period before cash out3 years5 years
      One year income tax carry-backYesNo
      DividendsTaxableExempt
      Capital Gains TaxGains exempt after 3 yearsGains exempt
      Capital Gains Tax deferral reliefYesNo
      Capital Gains Tax holidayNoNo
      VCTs vs EIS comparison

      VCT or EIS – which is best for my business?

      For companies seeking funds, EIS presents a direct path to the investor, but that also brings the headache of finding those investors and presenting an investment case that may not be so easily understood by non-professionals. (However, it is worth noting that VCTs can be fussy about the companies or sectors they invest in. It may not be easy for some businesses to secure the backing of a VCT for their funding needs). Additionally, EIS may mean the company has to deal with more investors (and their demands) than they would with VCT, where the fund acts as the agent between the company and the investors. VCTs may also bring experienced venture-capital managerial support to the deal that could give the business an unexpected boost. (Still unsure? Register your business with Swoop to find out all you need to know about EIS and VCTs or other ways to finance your company’s growth).

      VCT or EIS – which is best for investors?

      For investors, the choice between EIS and VCT comes down to personal goals. Those with a larger investment and risk appetite and who may wish to cash out after three years instead of five years with VCT, may consider EIS as their best option. EIS also offers income tax carry back and capital gains tax deferral – useful options for those trying to limit their tax exposure.  Alternatively, those who prefer the ease and reassurance of full funds management, and like the idea of immediate capital gains tax exemption and their annual dividends paid tax free may find VCT their best investment choice.

      How can my business take advantage of VCTs or EIS?

      EIS and VCT can provide young businesses with an opportunity to turbo-charge their growth. In a company’s early years, profits and cashflow are typically erratic and income is swallowed up by everyday operations, leaving little room for good things like R&D, new product development, expansion plans, or technology investment. EIS and VCT can unlock a pool of cash to pay for all the things a business wants to do, but is unable to do, without incurring expensive debt. This is good news for businesses and investors alike.

      There’s an old saying in industry that good business is where you find it, but most of the time, good business is where you grow it. If you’re an SME seeking funds, register with Swoop to find out more about the Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts and how you can use them to take your company or your investment income to the next level.

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      Swoop requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate.

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      Written by

      Chris Godfrey

      Chris is a freelance copywriter and content creator. He has been active in the marketing, advertising, and publishing industries for more than twenty-five years. Writing for Barclays Bank, Metro Bank, Wells Fargo, ABN Amro, Quidco, Legal and General, Inshur Zego, AIG, Met Life, State Farm, Direct Line, insurers and pension funds, his words have appeared online and in print to inform, entertain and explain the complex world of consumer and business finance and insurance.

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