IntelligentCrowd TV recently hosted a session of the Seed & EIS Hour with UKCFA Chair Julia Groves hosting a show that engaged Sarah Wadham, DG of the EIS Association, Paula Steele, Managing Partner of John Lamb, and Paul Wilson, Managing Partner of Clifton Media Lab. As one would expect, the discussion revolved around investing in early stage and mid-stage companies. Wadham explained there are challenges on the horizon to the EIS program. The Enterprise Investment Scheme is a tax subsidy that mitigates risk for investors in earler to later stage companies. Since 1993, approximately 22,900 companies have benefited from the EIS program representing £12.2 billion of investment. This is important for the UK economy and vital for job creation. As we all know, some small companies become very large ones and fostering an environment that encourages entrepreneurs is vital to economic growth.
Officials at the European Commission are keen on supporting early stage companies but their current approach may cut out mid-market companies and send them “off a cliff”. This is important perspective for policy makers and, according toWadham, more than a bit myopic.
Watch the video below.