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.
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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.
Insights
Admin
· 2 min read
· Updated on

QikServe report 76% increase in transaction volume during COVID-19

As the UK hospitality sector gears up to open its doors from the 4th July (which many are calling “The hospitality industry’s Independence Day”), we take a look at how GCV portfolio company and guest self service platform QikServe has adapted its core product to the changing market needs. 

Whilst almost every sector has been hit hard by the effects of COVID-19, the hospitality industry has undoubtedly had it’s fair share of challenges since it’s doors were slammed shut on the 20th March. 

Many fast food and takeaway establishments were quick to implement safety measures for both employees and consumers, enabling them to remain to some degree operational whilst adhering to government guidelines. However for both larger independent and franchised restaurants, remaining operational was not viable.

A Strong Start to 2020

At the beginning of 2020, QikServe was making significant and sustained growth having processed 250,000 hospitality transactions on behalf of over 600 restaurants by December 2019.  Monthly transaction volume was expected to grow steadily as new sites continued to be added from both new and existing customer contracts. In December 2019, QikServe also finalised the friendly acquisition of Preoday, developer of the leading Mobile Order and Pay Ahead solution.

With a positive outlook and strategic roadmap in place for 2020, QikServe could not have predicted just how complex but rewarding the change in direction would be.

In April 2020, UK hospitality quarterly sales fell by 21.3% due to the impact of closures imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown. But, even before the turbulent period brought on during the first half of 2020 by the global coronavirus pandemic, operators and brands were challenged by consumer trends towards staying home, eating in and streaming leisure and entertainment services.

Addressing the Changing Market Needs

QikServe was fast to react to the urgency for operators to find solutions to trade under social distancing restrictions, minimise cash handling and address consumer safety concerns. As a result, businesses began taking stock of the need for QikServe´s solutions with their inherent social distancing elements. By April, incoming customers were beginning to include larger chains such as TGI Fridays and Tesco´s Eastern Europe.

qikserve

In addition to this, by June QikServe, had teamed up with Britain’s biggest motorway service operator, Moto, to launch a click and collect ordering service at 48 of it’s sites around the UK.

Working with Eagle Eye Solutions, QikServe also undertook research responding to the crisis and readying the sector for recovery. 

The research revealed the industry had also shown tremendous resilience: embracing online ordering, delivery and gift services; supporting local community, charitable and NHS efforts; and, keeping customers regularly informed. Findings from the survey also confirmed that people were keen to go back to their favourite bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants. However, while they were ready and willing to eat out, the caveat is that brands must prioritise their safety. 

A Digital Future for the Hospitality Sector

Dan Rogers, President and Founder of QikServe said: “Customers will want to browse digital menus, and order and pay at table using their own phone to safely minimise interaction with servers and handling of payment devices. These tools can also extend any digital connection made online during lockdown into venues, to drive footfall and frequency. This is also how QikServe and Eagle Eye can support efforts to reopen for recovery.”

 

Across the board, QikServe have provided a range of solutions for the hospitality sector since the beginning of the pandemic from drive thru’s to at the counter solutions.

Long term, COVID-19 is expected to change the way businesses operate, which as a result is now predicting continued rapid growth within the market.

If the past five months have been anything to go by with QikServe’s ability to react to the change in customer demand, at GCV we are excited to see what the rest of 2020 has in store for this high growth and innovative portfolio company.
Driving Growth.
Creating Value.
Delivering Impact.

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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.