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.
GCV Lavs team
Portfolio News
Company News
Venture Builder
Luca Peterson
· 2 min read
· Updated on

Growth Capital Ventures launches Venture Builder, GCV Labs

Durham, UK

Growth Capital Ventures (GCV), an FCA Authorised Investment Firm with offices in County Durham and London, today announced the launch of GCV Labs, a new business division dedicated to creating, launching and scaling technology-enabled startups that can transform industries.

With deep expertise in venture capital, private equity and corporate finance, GCV has a proven track record of supporting high-growth companies across a range of sectors, including fintech, banking, HR tech, Media Tech and Advanced Manufacturing. The GCV Labs Venture Builder builds on this success by leveraging the firm's extensive network of investors, mentors and partners to identify and nurture disruptive technologies with the potential to revolutionise industries and sectors ripe for positive disruption.

"We are thrilled to launch GCV Labs, which represents the next chapter in our mission to drive the growth of some of the UK’s most innovative startup companies," said Craig Peterson, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of GCV. "With our experienced team and strong network, we are uniquely positioned to identify and support the most promising startups, and to provide the resources and expertise needed to co-create, launch and scale businesses with high growth potential."

GCV Labs will focus on three key areas of activity:

Idea generation: GCV Labs will work with co-founders to identify technology-enabled solutions to real-world problems, and develop these ideas into viable business concepts.

Business building: GCV Labs will provide funding, resources and support to turn these concepts into fully-fledged high-growth startups, with a focus on scalable, technology-enabled business models.

Scaling and exit: GCV Labs will leverage its network of investors, mentors and partners to help these startups achieve rapid growth, and to facilitate successful exits typically through M&A or other strategic transactions.

"We believe that GCV Labs has the potential to drive innovation and value creation, by providing the capital, expertise and support needed to bring truly transformative technology to enable solutions to market," said Peterson. "We look forward to working with talented and visionary co-founders, and to building a portfolio of companies that will have a positive impact on the markets they serve."

For more information about GCV Labs and Growth Capital Ventures, please visit www.growthcapitalventures.co.uk 

About Growth Capital Ventures:

Growth Capital Ventures is an FCA Authorised Investment Firm that operates across two business units:

GCV Invest - Private Investor Network for experienced investors specialising in alternative investments across three core asset classes: venture capital, private equity and property. 

GCV Labs - Impact-driven Venture Builder dedicated to launching products and new ventures that make a positive difference to society, the environment, and the economy.

With offices in the North East of England and London, GCV has a proven track record of creating, launching, scaling and exiting businesses, providing investors with the ability to access tax-efficient opportunities and build a well-diversified investment portfolio. 

Contact: 0330 102 5525

For media enquiries, please contact Harvey Hall, Investor Communications and Marketing Executive: harvey.hall@growthcapitalventures.co.uk 
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.