Frequent Questions

Octopus Ventures provides Independent Investors access to venture capital opportunities. This involves searching, screening and selecting those opportunities in which its Independent Investors are likely to invest. Each opportunity is carefully assessed for investment by commercial, financial and legal due diligence by Octopus Ventures. Once the investment has been completed, Octopus Ventures monitors the business to maximise the chances of success. Each investor receives Quarterly Business Performance Reports prepared by the Company.

Yes. We are pleased to provide confidentiality by means of the British Venture Capital Association's standard NDA. A copy of this can be downloaded after registering your interest in raising capital through Octopus Ventures.

Yes. This could be one of the Octopus Ventures Independent Investors or an industry expert recognised by the Company as someone who will add value to the business as it grows.

We provide long term equity finance though there are occasions when short term finance can be offered as well.

Octopus Ventures' clients are its Independent Investors. They invest their own funds into business opportunities identified by Octopus Ventures, deciding on each occasion whether to invest and, if so, how much.

The Independent Investors are the clients of Octopus Ventures. During all the stages of the investment selection and management process, Octopus Ventures' objective is to maximise value for its investors.

Octopus Ventures was incorporated as Katalyst Ventures in 1999. It was authorised by the Securities and Futures Authority to operate as an Investment Business in June 2000 with FSA registration 191899. It became a member of the British Venture Capital Association (BVCA) in February 2001.

Up until the end of April 2004 Octopus Ventures' Independent Investors have invested in 12 companies.

Octopus Ventures is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority for the conduct of investment businesses.

Yes. In addition to the direct experience of the past four years, Octopus Ventures' Management Team and its Independent Investors have extensive and detailed knowledge of the venture capital industry, especially with regard to SME sector.

This website enables Investors to access considerable detail about their investments made through Octopus Ventures. Quarterly Performance Reports and Annual Accounts are posted on the website as are New Investor Opportunity Summaries, Business Plans and Company Presentations.

To become a member of Octopus Ventures you must qualify as an "intermediate customer". This is defined by the FSA – not byOctopus Ventures. In essence you qualify to become an Independent Investor will qualify if you have relevant experience in making investments in private and or publicly listed companies. In addition you will have to satisfy either the FSA’s income or net worth criteria. If you require further details please contact Octopus Ventures direct on 0207 436 1603 or by email to Info@octopusventures.com

Please refer to the “Searching for Capital” section of this website or contact us by e-mail or why not phone our offices on 0207 436 1603 to have a preliminary discussion to see if we can be of help.

Our investments share three important features. First, their management teams are outstanding with the right blend of experience, expertise and energy. Second their product or service fulfils a significant gap in the market they hope to serve. Third, there is a proven route to market evidenced by a pipeline of leads, prospects and customers who are or are about to place orders for the companies offering.

We do not guarantee that the Independent investors will provide all the funds that may be required since they make their own decisions about whether or not to invest and how much. If you have a good proposition funds will invariably be raised.