Powering up investors and founders

Last week, we welcomed investors, connectors and financial wizards; James Poletyllo , Clare Turner-Marshall , Owen Bennett?? , Steven Mugglestone BA (Hons) FCA , Betsy Wong FRICS , Simon Daniels as our expert panels for sessions 5 and 6 of the ‘Dragons Series’. Covering insightful topics; how to mitigate risks in Angel investing in start-ups and scale-ups and the dos and don’ts of Angel investing, we enabled investors to confidently step into the world of Angel investing and make a real impact on the businesses they support.

Founder of IBACC Group Ltd (our very own ‘Managing Dragon’) Julian Webb’s super-power is explaining complicated financial concepts in a straightforward way to non-financially minded humans.

During each session, Julian explained SEIS/EIS tax incentives in relation to the theme of the session, helping everyone grasp the concepts in a clear way.?

Session recordings

If you missed any of the sessions, you can catch up with the recordings below;

Session 1 - What actually are Angel investors (Dragons) an introduction to SEIS and EIS - here

Session 2 - A deeper look at how the government encourages first-time Angel investors - here

Session 3 - Discover the importance of personal connections between founders and Angel investors - here

Session 4 - Step into the shoes of an Angel investor and find out how it feels to be wanted for more than just your money - here

Session 5 - How to mitigate the risks of Angel investing - here

Session 6 - Dos and don’ts of Angel investing - your guide to confidently stepping into the world of the Dragons -? here

Lessons learned from the Dragon Series

Throughout the Dragon Series of events, we've delved deep into the dynamics between founders and investors, uncovering invaluable insights into the importance of building strong relationships. From understanding the nuances of SEIS and EIS to navigating the dos and don'ts of Angel investing, each session has shed light on the crucial role of collaboration and trust in driving business success.

Impact of raising the profile of SEIS and EIS

The Dragon Series has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of SEIS and EIS among the founders and investor communities. By explaining these tax incentives, we've given investors the knowledge and insight to help them confidently step into the world of the Dragons.

As a result, we've witnessed a significant uptick in investments flowing into founder businesses, helping these start-ups and scale-ups grow and injecting invaluable human capital into their ventures.

One of the main takeaways was how surprisingly little the community knows about SEIS and EIS tax incentives. However, after six dedicated sessions, we've successfully raised the profile of these tax schemes, positioning them as powerful tools for supporting UK entrepreneurship and driving investment. By equipping our community with the knowledge and resources to harness the benefits of SEIS and EIS, we've paved the way for greater prosperity and opportunity.

ARTICLE: SEIS and EIS for startups and scaleups

Access to capital can often make or break a fledgling business. Recognising this challenge, the IBACC Group Ltd has been at the forefront of raising the profile of two crucial tax schemes: the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). Through our Dragon Series sessions, we've empowered founders and investors to implement these schemes with confidence, unlocking a wealth of opportunities for growth and innovation.

Understanding SEIS and EIS

SEIS and EIS are government-backed initiatives designed to incentivise investment in start-up and scale-up businesses. These schemes offer significant tax reliefs to investors, making them an attractive option for individuals looking to support entrepreneurial ventures and diversify their investment portfolio.

Under SEIS, investors can benefit from income tax relief of up to 50% on investments of up to ￡100,000 per tax year. Additionally, capital gains tax (CGT) exemptions are available on gains made from the disposal of SEIS shares held for at least three years.

EIS provides similar tax incentives, offering income tax relief of up to 30% on investments of up to ￡1 million per tax year. Additionally, investors can enjoy CGT deferral relief on gains reinvested in EIS-eligible companies and CGT exemptions on gains realised from EIS shares held for at least three years.

Driving investment and growth in the UK economy

The impact of SEIS and EIS extends far beyond tax benefits. By incentivising investment, these schemes fuel entrepreneurship, drive innovation, and stimulate economic growth. For start-ups, access to SEIS and EIS funding can be a game-changer, providing the capital needed to develop products, scale operations, and penetrate new markets.

The availability of SEIS and EIS incentives can attract a broader pool of investors, including high-net-worth individuals and new and experienced Angel investors. This influx of capital and experience accelerates the growth trajectory of start-ups along with enhancing their credibility and attractiveness to future investors.

Navigating the landscape

Despite the potential benefits, navigating the SEIS and EIS landscape can be daunting for entrepreneurs and investors alike. Understanding the eligibility criteria, compliance requirements, and investment structures can be complex, particularly for those new to the start-up ecosystem.

Through our Dragon Series sessions, we've provided entrepreneurs and investors with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to leverage SEIS and EIS effectively.

From expert insights to practical guidance, we've equipped founders with the confidence to secure vital investment for their ventures and equipped investors with the insights to navigate the intricacies of these tax incentives.

What’s next?

As we continue to champion entrepreneurship and innovation, we are committed to supporting founders and investors on their journey to success. Look out for the next series of online events, where we’ll be continuing to share our wisdom and insights, along with more expert panels who are ready to share their lived experiences.?

About Julian Webb and IBACC Group

The Dragon Series of events was born out of demand. Julian Webb , the founder of IBACC Group is an expert connector of founders and investors. During his hundreds of conversations over the years, Julian recognised a significant lack of easy to understand information about SEIS, EIS, finance and investment.

Making it his mission to make this information accessible to all, Julian set up the 'Dragon Series' of free events, which over the past few weeks has seen impactful engagement from across the founder and investor community.

Starting his career as an Accountant, Julian cut his teeth on high-profile senior leadership roles spanning over 35 years. With a BA in Business Studies from West of England University and qualifications as a Cost and Management Accountant, Julian's expertise in finance is matched only by his passion for helping businesses grow and scale their operations.

But there's more to Julian than connecting humans, finances and ‘The Dragon Series’. A massive sports fan (more watching now than playing!), Julian's heart belongs to Gloucester Rugby and Notts Forest Football Club. He's also a keen follower of horseracing, with a particular fondness for Newmarket and Huntingdon races, eagerly anticipating the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Outside of his professional life, Julian is a devoted family man. His wife Fiona is a senior figure in the NHS, while his daughter Alesha is making strides in her career at Lloyds Bank in Peterborough. And let's not forget their bustling household of five cats and a dog, adding plenty of joy and chaos to their daily lives.

• Book a 30 minute 1-2-1 session with the ‘Managing Dragon’ Julian Webb to explore Angel investing in more detail here.