BACKING
GROWTH

investing in
high-potential UK-based science and technology scaleups, from Series A.

Backing Growth invests in later-stage UK-based science and technology scaleups, from Series A onwards.

We believe that capital is the key to realizing a scaleup’s potential, and seek to enable this.

We select investment opportunities on the basis of proven execution ability, demonstrated product-market fit, and the potential to rapidly scale and realize significant market opportunities.

We have been investing in scaleups, and operating within Oxford – one of the most promising private capital markets in the UK – for 25 years, and have the network necessary to enable meaningful investment as startups transition into scaling up.

We invest in companies with whom we have an existing relationship, either directly through the Backing Founders portfolio, or indirectly, through partner early stage VC funds.

THE BACKING growth PORTFOLIO

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JOIN US IN BACKING growth

investing with oxford capital

Founded in 1999, Oxford Capital offers individuals and families access to some of the most innovative early-stage companies in the UK.

BACKING growth
oxford capital cic

The Oxford Capital Co-Investor Circle (“CIC”) enables clients to build their own portfolio of high-potential science and technology companies by making investments into individual companies. 

Estimated reading time: 2 min

 

Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.

What are the key risks?

  1. You could lose all the money you invest
    1. If the business you invest in fails, you are likely to lose 100% of the money you invested. Most start-up businesses fail.
  2. You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong
    1. Protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), in relation to claims against failed regulated firms, does not cover poor investment performance. Try the FSCS investment protection checker here.
    2. Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.
  3. You won’t get your money back quickly
    1. Even if the business you invest in is successful, it may take several years to get your money back. You are unlikely to be able to sell your investment early.
    2. The most likely way to get your money back is if the business is bought by another business or lists its shares on an exchange such as the London Stock Exchange. These events are not common.
    3. If you are investing in a start-up business, you should not expect to get your money back through dividends. Start-up businesses rarely pay these.
  4. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
    1. Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.
    2. A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart/5-questions-ask-you-invest
  5. The value of your investment can be reduced
    1. The percentage of the business that you own will decrease if the business issues more shares. This could mean that the value of your investment reduces, depending on how much the business grows. Most start-up businesses issue multiple rounds of shares.
    2. These new shares could have additional rights that your shares don’t have, such as the right to receive a fixed dividend, which could further reduce your chances of getting a return on your investment.

 

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA’s website here.