Equity Investment Management

Why Progeny?

To navigate your business through equity investment you need the right legal and tax partners alongside you on your journey.

We have the appropriate skills and expertise to manage any equity investment in your business, flagging key commercial issues and protecting your interests in the business.

With the success of your business at the forefront of our mind, our qualified team strive to deliver your commercial needs.

Experience with growth

Progeny has experienced successful business growth. With experience gained through our own development, our qualified team can offer first hand strategic HR training.

Professional team

We have a diverse and collaborative team of professionals including corporate legal, financial and investment experts, to provide the services you need for all round success.

B-Corp certified

As a B-Corp certified firm, we are proud to join a select group in the UK professional services, committed to high standards of social and environmental impact globally.

How we can help you with your investment

Our team of experts have advised on numerous equity fund raises. The key areas we commonly encounter are:

Structuring of the investment

Providing support with the right structure both from a tax and a balance sheet perspective.

Seed finance

Seed finance or funding is the capital raised to invest in a startup / early stage company in exchange for shares.

Development and growth capital

A form of investment aimed at profitable organisations to facilitate their future growth.

Minority shareholder protections

This is to protect those with less than 50% of the shares in a company where the controlling shareholders are acting unfairly and/or excluding them from the business.

Maximising tax savings (EIS)

There is a 30% income tax relief for investors on EIS investments, an incentive when investing in new companies.

Decision making controls

Supporting on appropriate decision-making governance with an evaluation of goals and potential risk versus benefits.

Exit strategies

A strategic plan to prepare a business or entrepreneur to sell their company, a good exit strategy can help limit costs and focus on profit.

Various management incentives

Aligning management with investors. For example, EMI share options can help incentivise management to grow the business, and provide a useful tool to support in recruitment and retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an equity investment?

An investment into another business usually through buying stocks and shares in that company, from startup businesses to fully fledged profitable organisations. This is carried out with the intention of raising the value of the company, increasing the value of shares and generating profit.

What are the benefits of equity investments?

As with all investments, there is scope to make a profit from the original amount invested through an increase in value on shares. They can also diversify your investment portfolio, at a low cost.

What is an EIS?

Launched in 1994, an EIS is an Enterprise Investment Scheme, where investment in shares includes a series of income tax reliefs created to encourage investors to fund the expansion of small businesses in the UK. These shares can then be realised when the business is sold, refinanced or listed on the stock market.

What are the risks of equity investments?

There is equity risk involved, which depends on the value of the company shares, which naturally rise and fall as the market fluctuates. Small-cap and mid-cap equity funds are considered high-risk but also high-return. Investing in smaller companies can provide brilliant growth potential, however there can be a level of volatility in terms of the success of smaller organisations. Having a team of professionals to navigate the world of equity investments can help mitigate these risks.