alternative investment Hero
Alternatives

Alternative Investment Opportunities

We specialise in providing experienced investors with access to carefully researched growth-focused alternative investment opportunities.

Bank North

Leadership Team


Alternative Investments for Experienced Investors

Diversify your Investment Portfolio with carefully selected, well researched private company and property investments

Alternative Investments are now forming part of a well-balanced portfolio for experienced investors.  At GCV, we specialise in helping experienced investors access investment opportunities that have the potential to deliver better returns than more traditional investments.  

Invest in High Growth Businesses

Gain access to carefully selected growth-focused investment opportunities.

Co-invest alongside institutional and professional investors and back some of the UK's most innovative private companies.

Invest in Property Development Projects

Gain access to well-researched Joint Venture property investment opportunities.

Co-invest alongside institutional investors and experienced developers and share in the development profits.

Build Your Wealth

Our team has a track record of identifying compelling alternative investments.

If you want to grow your wealth and diversify your investment portfolio, we can help you achieve your goals.

Our Alternative Investment Opportunities

Carefully researched growth-focused investment opportunities.

With our focus at GCV on providing a small number of top tier opportunities across venture capital, private equity and property each year - within a tax-efficient wrapper where possible - you can find out more about our portfolio below.

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Hive HR
Round 1
Completed

Hive.Hr

Sector: HR Tech
Target Sought: £ 150,000
Funds Raised: £ 303,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Hive.Hr
Intelligence Fusion
Round 1
Completed

Intelligence Fusion

Sector: SaaS
Target Sought: £ 400,000
Funds Raised: £ 556,800
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Intelligence Fusion
Hive HR
Round 2
Completed

Hive.Hr

Sector: HR Tech
Target Sought: £ 300,000
Funds Raised: £ 1,150,000
Round: Round 2
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Hive.Hr
QikServe
Round 1
Completed

QikServe

Sector: Fintech
Target Sought: £ 2,500,000
Funds Raised: £ 2,624,694
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about QikServe
n-gage.io
Round 1
Completed

n-gage.io

Sector: SaaS
Target Sought: £ 150,000
Funds Raised: £ 170,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about n-gage.io
Finance Nation
Round 1
Completed

Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 150,000
Funds Raised: £ 225,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)
GCV
Round 1
Completed

Growth Capital Ventures

Sector: Fintech
Target Sought: £ 500,000
Funds Raised: £ 561,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Growth Capital Ventures
GCV
Round 2
Completed

Growth Capital Ventures

Sector: Fintech
Target Sought: £ 1,000,000
Funds Raised: £ 1,290,410
Round: Round 2
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS, SEIS
Learn More about Growth Capital Ventures
Cathedral Gates
Completed

Cathedral Gates

Sector: Property
Target Sought: £ 400,000
Funds Raised: £ 2,000,000
Investment Type: Equity & Debt
Learn More about Cathedral Gates
Middleton Waters
Completed

Middleton Waters

Sector: Property
Target Sought: £ 2,200,000
Funds Raised: £ 7,000,000
Investment Type: Equity & Debt
Learn More about Middleton Waters
The Langtons
Completed

The Langtons

Sector: Property
Target Sought: £ 700,000
Funds Raised: £ 3,000,000
Investment Type: Equity & Debt
Learn More about The Langtons
Thorpe Paddocks
Completed

Thorpe Paddocks

Sector: Property
Target Sought: £ 1,000,000
Funds Raised: £ 6,000,000
Investment Type: Equity & Debt
Learn More about Thorpe Paddocks
Atom Bank
Round 1
Seed
Completed

Atom Bank

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 1,000,000
Funds Raised: £ 1,100,000
Round: Round 1
Investment Type: Equity
Learn More about Atom Bank
Finance Nation
Round 2
Super Seed
Completed

Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 1,000,000
Funds Raised: £ 800,000
Round: Round 2
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)
Finexos
Round 3
Growth
Completed

Finexos

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 500,000
Funds Raised: £ 695,456
Round: Round 3
Minimum Investment: £ 500
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Finexos
Finance Nation
Round 3
Series A
Completed

Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 250,000
Funds Raised: £ 278,855
Round: Round 3
Minimum Investment: £ 1,000
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Business Finance Market (trading as Finance Nation)
GCV
Round 3
Growth
Completed

Growth Capital Ventures

Sector: Fintech
Target Sought: £ 1,000,000
Round: Round 3
Minimum Investment: £ 5,000
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Growth Capital Ventures
Finexos
Round 4
Pre A
Completed

Finexos

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 500,000
Funds Raised: £ 690,481
Round: Round 4
Investment Type: Equity
Learn More about Finexos
n-gage.io
Round 2
Seed
Completed

n-gage.io

Sector: SaaS
Target Sought: £ 500,000
Funds Raised: £ 633,963
Round: Round 2
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about n-gage.io
Finexos
Round 5
Growth
Completed

Finexos

Sector: Fintech & Banking
Target Sought: £ 1,309,999
Round: Round 5
Investment Type: Equity
Tax Schemes: EIS
Learn More about Finexos

Portfolio Diversification.
Superior Returns.

Why invest into Alternative Investments?

Alternative investments can offer a range of benefits for experienced investors.

Portfolio Diversification

Alternative Investments can provide investors with the ability to invest in asset classes that are note correlated to the more traditional asset classes.

Superior Returns

Depending on the type of alternative you choose, Target returns can range from 1.5x money on money to 10x money on money when investing in high-growth early-stage companies.  As with all investments, returns are not guaranteed.

Positive Impact

Investing in high-growth companies and property development projects delivers more than just financial returns. Your investment can also make a positive social, economic, and environmental impact.

Tax Benefits

When investing in ceratin alternative investments such as early-stage high growth businesses - you may be able to benefit from lucrative tax reliefs via the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).

Target Returns

25% IRR

Investor Members

600+

Transactions Completed

15+

Portfolio Value

£600M+

Unrealised Gain

5.2x

Employment Created

600+

How to invest in alternatives

Join our network of 600+ experienced investor members

GCV Invest is a Private Investor Network for Experienced Investors.  We help our Investor Members access alternative investment opportunities that can form part of a well-balanced portfolio.

investor network

Minimise Risk. Maximise Returns.

Alternative Investment FAQs

Find out more about investing with GCV

Should you have any further questions regarding the investment opportunities we offer at GCV, and how to invest with us, you can contact our Investor Relations Team at any point - but we've provided a selection of frequently asked questions below.

  • GCV Invest is a Private Investor Network for Experienced Investors, Family Offices, and Institutional Investors.

    We originate and structure investment into Alternative Investment Opportunities including; high-growth businesses and joint venture property development opportunities.

  • GCV Invest was launched to help experienced investors access alternative investment opportunities and build a more diversified growth-focused investment portfolio.

    To become a GCV Invest client, you must meet the following criteria;

    Be a Family Office, Institutional Investor, High Net Worth Individual or Sophisticated Investor - seeking to invest alongside like-minded individuals and connect with the Alternative Investment ecosystem. Looking to deploy over £10k+ in Alternative Investment Opportunities per annum.

  • If you would like to join GCV and become part of our Private Investor Network, please contact Dan Smith (Investor Relations Director) - dan.smth@growthcapitalventures.co.uk

    Alternatively, you can apply online here

  • There are no joinings fees. Membership of GCV Invest is completely free, giving you access to well-researched, carefully selected investment opportunities across alternative asset classes, all with the potential to provide portfolio diversification and superior investment returns.

  • The GCV Investment teams are well networked and uses its embedded presence in the key UK corporate finance regions to access a range of alternative investment opportunities in private companies with significant potential for growth.

    The Property Team have long-standing relationships with landowners and agents through key target regions.

    Opportunities are often introduced on an off-market basis, on the strength of longstanding personal relationships, or by professional advisers who are aware of our expertise and ability to work constructively on Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Property transactions.

  • The GCV Investment Team target Alternative Investment Opportunities across three core asset classes;

     

    1. Venture  Capital - Investing in start-up and early-stage private companies with the potential to deliver a minimum of 10x money on money return over a 3 to 7 year hold period.  Where possible the team will utilise SEIS and EIS tax breaks to minimise downside investment risk and maximise investor returns.

     

    2. Property - Investing into Joint Venture residential property development projects.  These schemes are identified, researched and selected by our Property Team in conjunction with our highly experienced delivery partner, Homes by Carlton. Typically transactions are structured where GCV Invest members participate on a deal-by-deal basis, investing between £25k and £250k. With target investor returns on circa 1.5x money on money, usually over a two year hold period, the JV property investment opportunities provide investors with portfolio diversification combined with positive social and economic impact on a targeted regional level.

     

    3. Private Equity - We target private companies in sectors where we are able to create significant additional equity value; typically targeting a 2.5x money on money return over a holding period of up to 5 years.

  • The GCV Investment Team screen over 750 opportunities per annum and only selects 10 to 20 opportunities for detailed assessment.  From those 10 to 20 opportunities the team will assess each opportunity against carefully selected investment criteria.  The objective is to ensure only the best possible transactions are made available to GCV Invest Members.  The GCV Founders and Investment Team invest personally in each and every transaction.

  • Yes.  We only consider Alternative Investment Opportunities where the Investee Companies or Development Projects are based in the UK.

    We only invest in businesses and projects where we have a deep understanding of the underlying investment opportunity and its potential to deliver the required target returns and positive social, economic and environmental benefits.

  • Yes, for Venture Capital transactions, we specialise in sourcing carefully selected SEIS and EIS Eligible Investment Opportunities.

    We look for private companies that have the potential to transform an industry.  Our Investment Team will assess over 600 private company investment opportunities per annum and only select those we believe have the potential to create significant value.

    These are ambitious, agile businesses led by talented and highly-motivated teams, who can demonstrate a clear vision, mission and credible growth strategy, alongside a differentiated and competitive business proposition.

  • There are no upfront fees or membership fees for being part of our investor network, having access to our opportunities or investing in our opportunities.

    For investors, fees are only charged at the point of a liquidity event occurring (such as a trade sale or IPO for private companies and completion of a development for property transactions). At this point, 7.5% of the investment gain is charged before funds are provided back to you as an investor.

    Whilst dividend payments should not be expected from early-stage companies, more mature companies may include dividend payments, if and when they are paid, 7.5% of the dividend amount is charged to investors.

  • To invest with GCV Invest you must first become a member.  The process is carried out online through the GCV Invest Portal.

    You can access it here.

    GCV Invest is aimed at Experienced Investors who are comfortable making their own investment decisions and would like to allocate part of their investment portfolio to Alternative Investments.

    The joining process is simple;

    1. Create your Account - Open your online GCV Invest Members Account.

    2. Complete Identification Process - As part of the joining process we will need to verify your identity and carry out Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti Money Laundering (AML) checks.  These checks are carried out in real-time and you go through the online application process.

    3. Investor Appropriateness  - The final step in becoming a GCV Investment Member is a short questionnaire to ensure the type of investments GCV provide match your requirements and risk, and return profile.

    Once you've joined, you can access each investment opportunity and build your portfolio of well-researched, carefully selected investment opportunities and track performance on your dedicated Client Account through the GCV Invest Online Portal.

  • Performance update reports on portfolio holdings are provided to GCV Invest Members on a quarterly basis. When an investment is sold, GCV distributes cash proceeds to investors.

    GCV also has a dedicated and secure Investor Portal enabling GCV Invest members to keep track of their portfolio at any time.

Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.
Risk Summary

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?

  • You could lose all the money you invest
  • Most investments are shares in start-up businesses or bonds issued by them. Investors in these shares or bonds often lose 100% of the money they invested, as most start-up businesses fail.
  • Checks on the businesses you are investing in, such as how well they are expected to perform, may not have been carried out by the platform you are investing through. You should do your own research before investing.

You won't get your money back quickly

  • Even if the business you invest in is successful, it will likely take several years to get your money back.
  • 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.
  • Start-up businesses very rarely pay you back through dividends. You should not expect to get your money back this way.
  • Some platforms may give you the opportunity to sell your investment early through a 'secondary market' or 'bulletin board', but there is no guarantee you will find a buyer at the price you are willing to sell.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

  • 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. A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. Learn more here.

The value of your investment can be reduced

  • If your investment is shares, 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.
  • 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.

You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong

  • 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.
  • Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated platform, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.

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

For further information about investment-based crowdfunding, visit the crowdfunding section of the FCA's website here.

Driving Growth.
Creating Value.
Delivering Impact.

Backed by

Growth Capital Ventures (GCV) is backed by funds managed by Maven Capital Partners, one of the UK’s leading private equity and alternative asset managers.