FAQ's

An angel investor is typically an individual who invests their own money into early-stage startups, often in exchange for equity. Angels may also offer advice, introductions and governance support, though capital is the core commitment.

There is no single threshold. Some angels start with small cheques across syndicates; others write larger tickets alone. What matters more is diversification, follow-on reserves, fees and the risk that many startups return little or nothing.

Cheque sizes vary widely — from a few thousand pounds via platforms or syndicates to much larger direct investments. Focus on portfolio construction: enough holdings to diversify, plus dry powder for follow-ons in winners.

Syndicates and angel networks can help first-timers access deal flow, shared diligence and learning. You still need to understand the thesis, fees, information rights and how decisions are made. Never outsource your risk appetite entirely.

Angel returns are highly skewed: a few outcomes may drive most portfolio value while many investments fail or stall. Modelling average returns without understanding power-law outcomes is misleading. Track each holding honestly and judge the portfolio as a whole.

Common sources include networks, founders you already know, accelerators, platforms, syndicates, lawyers and other angels. Consistent reputation, clear thesis and fast, respectful feedback improve the quality of opportunities you see.

Angels usually invest personal capital, often earlier and in smaller amounts. Venture capital firms invest fund capital with a mandate, larger cheques, and institutional processes. Many startups raise from both over time.

UK promotions of private investments often require eligibility categories (for example high-net-worth or sophisticated investor statements) depending on how the opportunity is offered. Rules and definitions change — check the promotion’s basis and seek advice if unsure.

Investech is angel investor portfolio management software: track companies and capital, store documents, monitor SEIS/EIS, record convertible loan notes, calculate performance metrics, capture reminders and actions, run reporting, and share accountant-ready context — whether you are an angel, crowdfunding investor, syndicate member, note holder, startup shareholder or early-stage venture investor.

Your portfolio records, notes and uploaded documents belong to you. You can export or permanently delete your account data from Settings → Privacy. Paying for Pro does not give Investech ownership of your deal data. See the Security page for a plain-English summary.

Email team@investech.app or support@investech.app. We aim to reply within one UK business day on Monday–Friday. We help with accounts, billing and product use; we do not give personalised investment or tax advice.

Investech is a live product with portfolio tracking, documents, SEIS/EIS workflows, reports and accountant sharing available today. Deeper AI and further workflows are still being expanded — we state what is live versus coming on the About page so expectations stay honest.

Due diligence is the structured process of verifying a startup’s claims before you invest — covering team, market, product, traction, financials, legal structure, cap table and risks. Depth should match cheque size and time available.

Common workstreams include team and references, market size and competition, product and technology, customer traction, unit economics, financial model, legal/IP/contracts, cap table and prior rounds, and tax scheme eligibility where relevant (for example SEIS/EIS).

It depends on complexity and access. Some syndicate deals move in days with shared packs; direct deals may take weeks. Set a clear checklist and decision deadline so diligence does not drift into endless analysis.

Warning signs include inconsistent metrics, unclear use of funds, messy cap tables, reluctant reference calls, over-promised traction, weak governance, and tax relief claimed without credible advance assurance or counsel. One red flag is a prompt to dig deeper; several may mean walk away.

A strong lead helps, but you remain responsible for your own capital. Read the key documents, understand the thesis and risks, and ask questions where the pack is thin. Shared diligence is a starting point, not a substitute for judgement.

Typically the term sheet or subscription documents, articles of association, shareholders’ agreement (or equivalent), disclosure letter, and any convertible instrument terms. For UK tax-advantaged deals, confirm the share class and scheme positioning with competent advisers.

Ask whether the company has HMRC advance assurance, which scheme applies, whether the share class qualifies, and when certificates are expected. Advance assurance is not a guarantee of relief, but its absence without explanation is a diligence issue.

Keep a short investment memo: thesis, risks, key diligence findings, and what would change your mind. Store it with the company record in your portfolio system so future you — and any co-investors or advisers — can recall why you invested.

EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme) is a UK tax relief scheme that encourages investment into smaller growth companies. Qualifying investors may claim income tax relief and, subject to conditions, deferral or exemption benefits on capital gains linked to eligible shares.

EIS typically offers income tax relief at 30% of the amount subscribed for qualifying shares, within annual limits and subject to your tax liability. Relief is claimed after the company issues an EIS3 compliance certificate and HMRC conditions are met.

SEIS targets earlier, smaller companies and usually offers a higher income tax relief rate with lower company and investor caps. EIS supports a broader set of growth companies with different size, age and funding limits. Many startups raise SEIS first, then EIS in later rounds.

An EIS3 is the compliance certificate a company provides after HMRC authorises the share issue under EIS. Investors use the certificate details to claim relief on their tax return. Store EIS3s securely with each company’s documents.

EIS can allow deferral of capital gains by reinvesting a gain into EIS shares, subject to timing and eligibility rules. Deferred gains can come back into charge later (for example on disposal of the EIS shares). This is technical — take advice for your situation.

EIS income tax relief generally requires a minimum holding period (commonly three years from the share issue date, subject to current legislation). Disposals, certain company events or receiving prohibited value can put relief at risk.

Yes. EIS companies are often young, illiquid and may fail. Tax relief improves the risk/reward profile but does not remove the chance of losing your capital. Only invest money you can afford to lose and diversify across multiple holdings where possible.

Investech helps private investors list EIS companies, store certificates and related documents, monitor relief-related details, and keep an overview of tax-advantaged holdings next to MOIC, updates and actions — useful for Self Assessment season and accountant packs.

Stop juggling sheets and inboxes. Investech brings startup investments, documents, valuations and updates into one workspace so certificates, notes and company records stay together.

Investech is angel investor portfolio management software — track startup holdings, documents, SEIS/EIS, valuations, reminders, reporting, and accountant collaboration.

The Investech web app is angel investor portfolio management software for startup holdings, convertible loan notes, documents, MOIC/IRR/ROI, UK SEIS/EIS tracking, and accountant-ready exports.

Investech helps angel and private investors track startup holdings, documents, SEIS/EIS, valuations, and next actions in one place — without fundraising platforms or deal marketplaces.

For portfolio tracking after you invest, Investech is angel investor portfolio management software built for holdings, documents, SEIS/EIS and valuations — not deal sourcing.

Many start in spreadsheets. Investech replaces that with structured portfolio management: companies, capital, documents, SEIS/EIS, valuations and next actions.

Investech is designed as a spreadsheet alternative for angel investors — dedicated portfolio management without building your own Airtable or Notion system.

Use Investech as your startup portfolio tracker: add companies and capital, store documents, record valuations, and monitor performance alongside SEIS/EIS where relevant.

Investech tracks UK SEIS and EIS schemes, certificates, relief, and accountant readiness so tax-advantaged holdings stay organised with the rest of your portfolio.

Investech is angel investor portfolio management software with dedicated SEIS and EIS tracking for UK angels and private investors.

Investech is angel investor portfolio management software. It tracks companies and capital, stores documents, calculates MOIC/IRR/ROI, supports UK SEIS/EIS workflows and convertible notes, and helps you see what deserves attention next — without enterprise CRM complexity or deal-marketplace noise.

Private and private-market investors — including angel investors, SEIS/EIS investors, crowdfunding investors, syndicate members, convertible loan note holders, startup shareholders, and early-stage venture investors. It is designed for both first-time holders and experienced investors managing a growing book.

Yes. Investech includes SEIS/EIS company listings, relief and certificate tracking, compliance attention, and portfolio-level tax overview so you and your accountant can evidence relief.

Investech offers a free plan to get started and a Pro plan from £9.99/month with transparent self-serve pricing. There are no enterprise sales calls required for standard plans.

Investech uses AI to help keep investors updated — including summaries and insights that support portfolio awareness as holdings grow — while keeping core tracking and tax records under the investor’s control.

Stop juggling sheets and inboxes. Investech brings startup investments, documents, valuations and updates into one workspace so certificates, notes and company records stay together.

Without a system, certificates go missing, valuations drift, and you cannot answer basic questions about exposure, tax relief or performance. Good tracking turns a pile of emails into a manageable investment practice.

At minimum: company identity, investment date and amount, share class or instrument, ownership, valuation markers, documents (agreements, certificates), SEIS/EIS status, key contacts, and outstanding actions. Add updates and thesis notes as you go.

MOIC (Multiple on Invested Capital) shows how many times your invested capital the current value represents. For example, 2x MOIC means the holding is marked at twice what you put in. It is simple, comparable and widely used in private markets.

IRR (Internal Rate of Return) estimates annualised return considering the timing of cash flows. It is useful for comparing investments held over different periods, but early-stage marks are uncertain — treat IRR as directional, not precise.

Update when you have a meaningful signal: a new priced round, a secondary, a write-down policy event, or a clear business change. Avoid noisy weekly mark-to-market on private holdings. Document your valuation method so marks stay consistent.

Store certificates with each company’s documents in a durable system you control — not only in email. Investech is designed to keep SEIS/EIS records alongside the holding so tax season and accountant requests are faster.

Gather share certificates or confirmations, SEIS3/EIS3s, investment agreements, amounts and dates, and a clear list of holdings. Portfolio software that exports structured records reduces last-minute chasing across inboxes and drives.

Investech is built to replace fragmented spreadsheets and folders for day-to-day private-market portfolio management — companies, capital, documents, metrics, SEIS/EIS context, convertible notes and next actions — while remaining simple enough for newer investors.

SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) is a UK government tax relief scheme designed to encourage investment into very early-stage companies. Qualifying investors can claim income tax relief and, subject to conditions, capital gains tax benefits on eligible shares.

SEIS typically allows income tax relief at 50% of the amount invested in qualifying shares, subject to annual investment limits and your own tax position. Always confirm current rates and caps with HMRC guidance or a qualified adviser before investing.

Individual investors can invest up to a set annual maximum into SEIS-qualifying shares and still claim relief, provided other scheme conditions are met. Limits change over time, so check the current HMRC figures for the tax year you are investing in.

SEIS is aimed at young, small UK companies raising early capital. Broadly, the company must meet age, size, trading and risk-to-capital rules, issue eligible shares, and use the funds for a qualifying business purpose. Companies usually obtain advance assurance from HMRC before a round.

You normally claim SEIS income tax relief after the company issues a compliance certificate (SEIS3) confirming the investment qualifies. Claims are usually made via your Self Assessment return, or by amending a return within HMRC time limits.

An SEIS3 is the HMRC compliance certificate a company issues to investors after HMRC confirms the share issue meets SEIS rules. You need it (or the details on it) to claim tax relief. Keep digital and paper copies with your portfolio records.

Companies can raise under SEIS and later under EIS, but each share issue must meet the relevant scheme rules. Your personal relief depends on which scheme applies to the shares you bought. Mixing schemes incorrectly can risk relief — structure and timing matter.

SEIS relief generally requires you to hold the shares for a minimum period (commonly three years from the issue date, subject to current rules). Selling early can trigger withdrawal of income tax relief and affect capital gains treatment. Plan exits carefully with an adviser.

Yes. Investech is built for private investors who need to track SEIS holdings, certificates, company details and portfolio-level tax context alongside performance, documents and next actions — so evidence is easier to find when you or your accountant need it.

Startup investing usually means buying shares (or convertible instruments that later become shares) in a private company that is still scaling. Liquidity is limited, information is uneven, and outcomes take years — unlike listed equities.

In a priced round, the company and investors agree a valuation and price per share now. You receive shares immediately with rights set out in the articles and investment documents. SEIS/EIS relief, where available, generally attaches to qualifying shares.

Convertibles and SAFEs are instruments that typically convert into equity in a future priced round, often with a discount or valuation cap. Terms vary by jurisdiction and document set. Understand conversion triggers, caps, discounts and investor protections before signing.

Pre-money is the company’s agreed value before the new cash in the round. Post-money is pre-money plus the new investment. Your ownership percentage is usually based on how the round’s maths and option pools are defined in the term sheet.

Companies raise sequentially (seed, Series A, and so on) to fund growth milestones. Each round can dilute earlier shareholders, reset valuation and change governance. Angels should plan for dilution and possible follow-on opportunities.

Dilution is the reduction in your ownership percentage when the company issues new shares. Your stake can shrink even if the company’s value rises. Track share counts, option pools and round sizes so your model stays current.

Private investments usually exit via acquisition, IPO, secondary sales (if allowed) or, rarely, dividends. Many holdings never produce a cash return. Secondary liquidity, when it exists, often needs company consent and can be limited.

Many experienced angels keep reserves to support winners in later rounds and avoid being overly diluted. How much to reserve depends on your strategy, cheque sizes and conviction process — but planning reserves beats improvising under time pressure.