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.

Homes by Carlton Sunset
Portfolio News

GCV property delivery partner expands after record year

Regional housebuilder and Growth Capital Ventures strategic property delivery partner, Homes by Carlton, is on the expansion trail after enjoying its most successful year since returning to the market.

The award-winning County Durham housebuilder recently purchased two new sites in Whitton and Sadberge representing a combined development value of £17.5m. Construction is due to start in the coming months.

Simon Walker, MD, of Homes by Carlton, said:

Last year was a challenging but successful year. We intend to build on that success through further land acquisitions and site developments around the North East and North Yorkshire.

We’re building on our reputation for delivering high-quality homes in sought-after locations. We have seen there is a strong appetite for distinctly designed, large family homes and we remain committed to delivering these products.

During 2021, Homes by Carlton doubled in size with staff numbers increasing from seven to more than 20. Despite the impact of the pandemic and Covid restrictions there continued to be strong demand for properties at its three active sites in County Durham and Tees Valley.

At Middleton Waters, the company’s largest development with 198 homes planned at Middleton St George, more than 70% of phase 1 is sold or reserved. At Thorpe Paddocks in Thorpe Thewles, 60% of the development has been sold or reserved and at The Langtons in Redmarshall, over 25% of the luxury four and five bedroom homes have been sold or reserved off-plan.

New, up-and-coming developments include Eastfields, featuring a collection of nine 3, 4 and 5-bedroom executive homes nestled in the rural village of Whitton. The £13m site at Sadberge has planning for 46 homes with further details set to be announced in the coming months.

Simon Walker, of Homes by Carlton, added:

The coming months look very exciting for Homes by Carlton. Our focus continues to be on providing high quality new homes in the right locations throughout the region, meeting the demands of the north’s homebuyers.

As we move through 2022 and beyond, we will deliver our pipeline of 500 new homes, and continue to add to it through strategic land acquisition and the continued delivery of our award-winning homes.

 

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.