Reaping the rewards of British innovation

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VCT and EIS funds offer a good route into enterprise investing and have the added attraction of offering tax relief, writes Julian Hickman, partner, Longbow Capital LLP.

Investing in early stage, dynamic, innovative British companies is something all investors should give serious consideration to. The life science, well being and healthcare sectors are typical examples of the British investment opportunities available. However, not all openings are equal, and investors need to consider carefully how they can access such opportunities. One such way is to invest through Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) funds, both of which offer a range of tax reliefs for investing in innovation and reflect the risk and rewards available....

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