Baronsmead VCT co-fund managers Bevan Duncan and Ken Wotton discuss the current market opportunity for early-stage investment.
The UK has a vibrant and growing early stage investment ecosystem and, despite the uncertain macro-economic environment, we are not seeing any slowdown in opportunities to back ambitious management teams in high-growth businesses.
However, early-stage investments are typically associated with higher levels of risk, reinforced by the fact that 60% of UK start-ups fail within their first three years. It is therefore not surprising that people often turn instead to investments deemed ‘safer’, such as mega-cap stocks or government bonds, during periods of uncertainty.
Gresham House plc (LON:GHE) is a London Stock Exchange quoted specialist alternative asset manager offering funds, direct investment and tailored investment solutions, including co-investment, in public equity, private assets, forestry, new energy and housing.