Venture Capital Trusts

Help small companies grow, save income tax and receive tax-free dividends

A Venture Capital Trust (VCT) is a publicly listed company run by a fund manager. It aims to make money by investing in small, unquoted, entrepreneurial companies and helping them grow. 

When you as a private investor buy shares in a VCT you get access to a basket of small companies. These are riskier than established ones but can offer significant rewards. Not only might you invest in a rising star, but you could also receive valuable benefits along the way: 

  • Up to 30% tax relief – save up to £60,000 on your income tax bill when you invest in newly issued VCT shares 
  • Tax-free dividends – a record £398 million paid in 2017/18 alone
  • Tax-free growth
  • Generous allowance – invest up to £200,000 per tax year
  • No need to declare dividends on your tax return
  • Save on VCT initial charges and in many cases get an annual rebate for three years when you invest via Wealth Club

Read more on VCT tax savings »

VCTs are currently the only investments that offer tax breaks both when you put the money in and when you receive an income. 

Indeed, they are becoming increasingly popular with investors, especially those with a large income tax liability or who are seeking to generate a tax-efficient income. 

VCTs raised £728 million in the 2017/2018 tax year – the second-highest level ever recorded, and the most since income tax relief was set to 30%.

Remember, tax rules can change and tax benefits depend on circumstances. 

How to invest in VCTs

First, please download and read carefully the provider documents, including the VCT's Key Information Document. 

The quickest and most convenient way to apply is online. Wealth Club was the first service to offer online VCT applications and you can currently apply online for most offers. 

Alternatively, you can download the application form and return it completed to Wealth Club. 

Most VCTs offer the option to pay by cheque or bank transfer. 

You will receive your share certificate shortly after the VCT issues new shares; this may be only once or twice per tax year. The provider documents will contain further details. Be sure to understand the risks and commitments before you invest. 

View our featured offers below, or browse all current VCT offers. 

Featured VCT offers

Our favourites amongst current offers. Read more about featured offers.

View all offers
Product Sort by value Type Sort by value Target dividend Initial charge Sort by value Initial saving via Wealth Club Sort by value Net initial charge Sort by value Annual rebate Sort by value Funds raised / sought Sort by value Deadline Sort by value Invest now
Our choice Unicorn AIM VCT

Unicorn is a specialist smaller company fund manager. The managers look for companies with strong cash flows and potential to pay and grow dividends over time. This is a large, well diversified VCT and is worthy of consideration.

 AIM - 5.5% 3.25% (3.5% existing shareholders) 2.25% (2% existing shareholders) 0.10% £4.5 million / £15 million 1 Mar 2019 for early bird saving  
Our choice ProVen VCTs

The two ProVen VCTs are established and offer new investors a diverse portfolio of maturing companies alongside new investments. Beringea has a solid track record of investing in companies with growth potential, particularly in digital media and consumer products, and supporting them until a profitable exit can be achieved.

 Generalist 5% of NAV 5.5% 3.0% 2.5% 0.10% £18 million / £60 million 1 Mar 2019 for next allotment  
Our choice Octopus Titan VCT

The UK's largest VCT has always been focused on earlier stage growth-oriented companies. It has around 65 portfolio companies across a wide range of sectors. The focus is on backing talented entrepreneurs. It has backed some notable winners in the past including Zoopla, SwiftKey and graze.com.

 Generalist 5p 5.5% 2.5% (3.5% for existing shareholders) 3% (2% for existing shareholders) 0.25% £110.5 million / £120 million 20 Mar 2019  
Our choice Maven Income & Growth VCTs

Maven is one of the premier VCT managers. It manages six VCTs alongside its private equity and debt financing activities. Maven has particular strength in the UK regions, with 10 offices around the country.

 Generalist - 7% 4.5% 2.5% 0.10% £30.3 million / £35 million 3 Apr 2019  

More about Venture Capital Trusts

Essential Facts

Tax Savings

How to claim VCT tax relief

VCT Offers

News about Venture Capital Trusts. Read all

Review: ProVen VCT

17 January 2019

The new top-up offer by ProVen VCT and ProVen Growth & Income VCT is now open.The two VCTs aim to raise a total of up to £60 million with an over-allotment facility of £20 million. Investors ...

Review: Baronsmead VCTs

14 January 2019

The new top-up offer by Baronsmead Venture Trust (“BVT”) and Baronsmead Second Venture Trust (“BSVT”) is now open.Launched in 1995, the Baronsmead VCT brand was one of the very first VCTs. Over the years it has ...

Review: Albion VCTs

14 January 2019

Albion has opened a joint share offer to raise up to £36 million across its six VCTs, with an over-allotment facility of £2 million in each. The VCTs, with their respective net asset values, are:

Review: Northern VCTs

9 January 2019

If you were to describe a textbook example of a VCT, you might end up describing the Northern VCTs. Northern Venture Trust (NVT) was one of the first VCTs to launch in 1995. Northern 2 VCT ...