65 active UK EIS funds investing in startups (free list)
Browse active UK EIS funds investing across startup sectors.
EIS Funds provide significant tax relief and diversification into high-growth companies, potentially driving significant financial returns. They also support the growth of the most innovative startups in the UK.
This ressource starts with a list of active EIS funds and continues with an in-depth guide to help you navigate the UK EIS fund ecosystem.
👉 Want to expand your investor pipeline? Browse the full venture capital firm directory, or explore sector-specific VC firms backing EIS-eligible startups across AI, biotech, fintech and more.
65 most active EIS funds in the UK
Investors (location, website, linkedin, twitter)
| EIS Funds | Investment Sector | Location | Funding Round | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 24Haymarket(more info 🔒) 24Haymarket Limited operates as a venture capital firm, focusing on support... |  London | |||
London | ||||
Data analyticsGeneralistE-commerceOnline shopping | London | |||
 7percent Ventures(more info 🔒) 7percent Ventures Ltd focuses on backing breakthrough technologies and prod... | London | |||
London | ||||
 Ada Ventures(more info 🔒) This venture capital firm focuses on three key investment areas: Climate Eq... | London | |||
London | ||||
London | ||||
 Air Street Capital(more info 🔒) Air Street Capital is a venture capital firm specialising in AI-first compa... | London | |||
London | ||||
Southampton | ||||
London | ||||
London | ||||
 Archangels(more info 🔒) Archangels focuses on investing in disruptive technology with protectable i... | Edinburgh | |||
London | ||||
 Augmentum Fintech(more info 🔒) The venture capital firm provides specialist advice and connections, focusi... | London | |||
 AVP (AXA Venture Partners)(more info 🔒) AVP focuses on investments in sectors related to technology and innovation,... | London | |||
London | ||||
London | ||||
 Battery Ventures(more info 🔒) Battery Ventures is a venture capital firm investing in technology companie... | London | |||
Data analyticsLegaltechB2BEnterprise | London | |||
London | ||||
 Blackfinch Ventures(more info 🔒) Blackfinch Group is a dynamic investment group focused on creating a positi... | Gloucester | |||
 Blossom Capital(more info 🔒) Blossom is a venture capital firm focused on investing in European technolo... | London | |||
London | ||||
 Brandon Capital(more info 🔒) Brandon Capital Partners is focused on investing in early-stage and expansi... | London | |||
 Brighteye Ventures(more info 🔒) Brighteye Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in startups aimed... | London | |||
Data analyticsGeneralistTechnologyHealth monitoring | London | |||
 Calculus Capital(more info 🔒) Calculus Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in innovative compa... | London | |||
Cambridge | ||||
Cardiff | ||||
London | ||||
London | ||||
 Cherry Ventures(more info 🔒) Cherry Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Europe, spe... | London | |||
 CircleRock Capital(more info 🔒) CircleRock Capital is a European venture capital syndicate that facilitates... | London | |||
 Clarendon Fund Managers(more info 🔒) The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland (IFNI) is focused on supporting in... | Belfast | |||
 Concentric Partners(more info 🔒) The Activist Venture Fund partners with sector-defining founders across Eur... | London | |||
 Concept Ventures(more info 🔒) Concept Ventures is the largest dedicated UK pre-seed fund, focusing on res... | London | |||
 Concrete VC(more info 🔒) Concrete VC Partners focuses on transforming the built environment by inves... | London | |||
 Connect Ventures(more info 🔒) Connect Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on supporting exceptiona... | London | |||
London | ||||
London | ||||
Belfast | ||||
London | ||||
 Deep Science Ventures(more info 🔒) The firm is a venture creator focused on five sectors: Restorative Cultivat... | London | |||
London | ||||
London | ||||
 Dmg Ventures(more info 🔒) DMG Ventures is a venture capital fund that focuses on consumer startups, a... | London | |||
London | ||||
London | ||||
 DSW Ventures(more info 🔒) DSW Ventures is a Manchester-based venture capital firm focused on investin... | London | |||
 Earlybird Venture Capital(more info 🔒) Earlybird is a venture capital investor focusing on Europe’s tech innovator... | London | |||
Cambridge | ||||
 Edenred Capital Partners(more info 🔒) Edenred Ventures is an independent venture fund backed by Edenred, speciali... | London | |||
London | ||||
London | ||||
London | ||||
 Elbow Beach Capital(more info 🔒) Elbow Beach is a venture capital firm focused on backing technologies that ... | London | |||
London | ||||
 EMV Capital(more info 🔒) EMV Capital is a deep tech and life sciences venture capital investment gro... | London | |||
 Environmental Technologies Fund(more info 🔒) Fairly Made is a venture capital firm focused on investing in sustainable f... | London | |||
London | ||||
 Episode 1 Ventures(more info 🔒) The firm specialises in investing in Pre-Seed and Seed stage B2B software c... | London | |||
 EQT Ventures(more info 🔒) EQT Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on supporting European compa... | London | |||
London |
Click here for the full list of 801+ VC funds in the UK.
What is an EIS fund?
In the next sections you will get to know everything about EIS funds:
- What is an EIS fund?
- How does an EIS work (in 6 steps)?
- How do you qualify for EIS?
- Should I invest in EIS?
- How long do I need to hold EIS shares (3 year rule)?
- What is the 7 year rule for EIS?
- Can I invest in my own EIS?
- What is the maximum tax relief for EIS?
- What is the average return on EIS?
An EIS fund, or Enterprise Investment Scheme fund, is a type of investment fund in the UK that promotes investment in small, early-stage companies that might otherwise struggle to raise capital. EIS funds offer significant tax advantages to incentivize this investment. These funds operate under the rules set by HMRC.
Here are the key benefits of an EIS fund, including all the numbers (a lot of these benefits are tax related, so don't hesitate to consult with a tax lawyer before you start EIS investing or taking EIS investment.):
Income Tax Relief
Investors can claim income tax relief of 30% of the amount invested. For example, if you invest £10,000, you could reduce your income tax bill by £3,000.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Relief
If the EIS shares are held for at least three years from the date of issue (or from the date the company starts trading, if later), any gain on their disposal will be free from CGT. For example, if you bought shares for £10,000 and sold them for £20,000 three years later, you wouldn't pay any CGT on the £10,000 profit.
Loss Relief
If the EIS investment results in a loss, you can elect to offset this loss against your income tax, rather than your capital gains tax. For instance, if you invested £10,000 and sold your shares for £5,000, you could claim a loss of £5,000. If you're a higher-rate taxpayer (40%), you could get £2,000 (£5,000 x 40%) back.
Inheritance Tax Relief
EIS investments are generally free from inheritance tax if they have been held for at least two years at the time of death.
Capital Gains Tax Deferral
You can defer a capital gain incurred on a different investment by reinvesting the gain into EIS shares. For example, if you made a £10,000 gain on selling a property, you could defer the tax on this gain by reinvesting the £10,000 into EIS shares.
Investment Limit
The maximum amount an individual can invest in EIS qualifying companies in a tax year is £1,000,000 (this limit is £2,000,000 provided that anything above £1,000,000 is invested in knowledge-intensive companies).
How does an EIS work (in 6 steps)?
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) works by offering tax reliefs to investors who purchase shares in small and medium-sized businesses. It is a government scheme in the UK, designed to encourage investment in higher-risk trading companies that might otherwise struggle to raise finance.
Here's how it works:
Step 1 - Investing in an EIS-eligible company
Suppose you've found a small, innovative company that you'd like to invest in, and it qualifies for the EIS. You decide to invest £10,000 in this company by purchasing its shares.
Step 2 - Claiming Income Tax Relief
One of the most significant benefits of EIS is the 30% income tax relief. So, on your £10,000 investment, you can claim back £3,000 (£10,000 x 30%) on your income tax bill for that year. This effectively reduces the "at risk" capital of your investment to £7,000 (£10,000 - £3,000).
Step 3 - Holding the Investment
To qualify for EIS tax reliefs, you must hold the EIS shares for a minimum period of 3 years from the date of issue. If you sell the shares before this period, you will typically lose the EIS tax reliefs.
Step 4 - Selling the Investment (Profit Scenario)
After holding the shares for three years, suppose you sell your shares for £20,000, giving you a profit of £10,000. Thanks to EIS, you do not have to pay any Capital Gains Tax on this profit.
Step 5 - Selling the Investment (Loss Scenario)
Conversely, if the company doesn't do well, and you end up selling your shares for £5,000, resulting in a loss of £5,000, you can claim loss relief. For a higher-rate taxpayer (40%), this could mean claiming back £2,000 (£5,000 x 40%), reducing the net loss to £3,000.
Step 6 - Inheritance Tax Relief
If you hold the EIS shares until death, they will typically be free from Inheritance Tax. This can be a significant benefit for estate planning.
How do you qualify for EIS?
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) has specific rules outlining the qualifications for both companies seeking EIS investment and investors who want to take advantage of EIS tax reliefs.
For companies:
- The company must be unquoted (not listed on a recognized stock exchange) at the time the shares are issued, though it may become quoted later.
- It must have fewer than 250 full-time employees (or their equivalents).
- It must have gross assets not exceeding £15 million before the share issue and £16 million immediately afterward.
- It should not be controlled by another company.
- The company must carry on a qualifying trade. Certain trades such as banking, farming, and property development are excluded.
- The company must not have been trading for more than seven years (ten years for knowledge-intensive companies) from the date of the first commercial sale.
For investors:
- You must be an individual (not a company) and purchase new shares in an EIS-eligible company.
- You can't be connected to the company, meaning you can't be an employee, a paid director, or own more than 30% of the company's shares, voting rights, or rights to assets in a winding-up. Some unpaid directors may still qualify for EIS tax reliefs.
- You must hold the EIS shares for a minimum of three years to retain the tax benefits.
Should I invest in EIS?
This is always going to be a personal decision, however here are a few things you might want to consider when deciding whether to invest in EIS:
What is your risk tolerance?
EIS investments are high risk. You must be comfortable with the possibility that you might lose your investment.
Are your investments diversified?
It's generally recommended to have a diversified investment portfolio. EIS investments can be a part of a balanced portfolio but should not be the entirety of it due to their risk profile.
What are you liquidity needs?
EIS investments should be viewed as long-term investments because they must be held for a minimum of three years to retain the tax relief. Furthermore, even after three years, it might not be easy to sell your shares if you need to, as smaller companies are often not listed on major stock exchanges.
Tax Planning
The main advantage of EIS investments is their tax benefits. If you don't have a significant income tax liability, or if you don't stand to benefit from the other tax reliefs, then EIS investments might not be as advantageous for you.
Seek Independent Advice
Due to the complexities and risks associated with EIS investments, it's recommended to seek advice from a financial advisor before investing.
Frequently asked questions
EIS shares usually need to be held for at least three years to retain the main tax relief benefits available under the Enterprise Investment Scheme.
Most companies must receive EIS investment within seven years of their first commercial sale. Knowledge-intensive companies can qualify for an extended ten-year limit.
Founders and employees are generally restricted from claiming EIS tax relief on investments into their own company if they are considered connected to the business.
EIS investors can receive income tax relief of up to 30% on eligible investments, alongside potential capital gains and inheritance tax benefits depending on individual circumstances.
This directory includes active UK EIS funds, investor details, fund websites and additional information to help founders and investors explore the EIS ecosystem.
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