Prospectus • Sep 29, 2025
Prospectus
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BRITISH SMALLER COMPANIES VCT PLC BRITISH SMALLER COMPANIES VCT2 PLC
OFFERS FOR SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE TAX YEAR 2025/2026 TO RAISE UP TO £60 MILLION, IN AGGREGATE, WITH AN OVER-ALLOTMENT FACILITY OF A FURTHER £25 MILLION, IN AGGREGATE

Transforming small businesses

This document, which comprises a prospectus relating to British Smaller Companies VCT plc ("BSC") and British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc ("BSC2") (BSC and BSC2 together the "Companies") dated 25 September 2025, has been prepared in accordance with the Prospectus Regulations Rules Instrument 2019 made under Part VI of FSMA, and has been approved for publication by the Financial Conduct Authority as a prospectus under article 20 of the Prospectus Regulation.
The Companies and the Directors, whose names appear on page 34 of this document, accept responsibility for the information contained herein. To the best of the knowledge of the Companies and the Directors, the information contained in the Prospectus is in accordance with the facts and the Prospectus makes no omission likely to affect its import. To the extent that information has been sourced from a third party, this information has been accurately reproduced and, as far as the Directors and the Companies are aware, no facts have been omitted which may render the reproduced information inaccurate or misleading. In connection with this document, no person is authorised to give any information or make any representation other than as contained in this document.
Subject to FSMA, the Prospectus Regulation Rules and applicable laws, the delivery of this document shall not, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the Companies since the date of this document or that the information in this document is correct as at any time after this date.
The Prospectus has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, as competent authority under the UK version of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129. The FCA only approves the Prospectus as meeting the standards of completeness, comprehensibility and consistency imposed by the UK version of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129. Such approval shall not be considered as an endorsement of the Companies or the quality of the New Shares that are the subject of this Prospectus. Investors should make their own assessment as to the suitability of investing in the New Shares. The Prospectus has been drawn up as part of a simplified prospectus in accordance with Article 14 of the UK version of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
Persons receiving this document should note that Howard Kennedy Corporate Services LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting as sponsor for the Companies and noone else and will not, subject to the responsibilities and liabilities imposed by FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder, be responsible to any other person for providing the protections afforded to customers of Howard Kennedy Corporate Services LLP or providing advice in connection with any matters referred to herein.
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act 1985 with Registered Number 03134749)
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales under the Companies Act 1985 with Registered Number 04084003)
Prospectus relating to: Offers for subscription by British Smaller Companies VCT plc and British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc of New Shares to raise up to a maximum of £60 million, in aggregate, with an over-allotment facility of a further £25 million, in aggregate, payable in full in cash on application
Howard Kennedy Corporate Services LLP
The Shares of the Companies in issue at the date of this document are listed on the Official List and traded on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities. Applications have been made to the FCA for all of the New Shares to be listed on the Official List and applications will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the New Shares to be admitted to trading on its main market for listed securities. It is expected that such admission will become effective, and that trading will commence, in respect of the New Shares within 10 Business Days of their allotment. The New Shares will be issued in registered form and will be freely transferable in both certificated and uncertificated form and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing Shares.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer of, or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy, any New Shares to any person in any jurisdiction to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The Offers are not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or the Republic of South Africa or their respective territories or possessions, and documents should not be distributed, forwarded or transmitted in or into such territories. The New Shares have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or the Republic of South Africa or in any other jurisdiction where to do so would be unlawful.
Your attention is drawn to the risk factors set out on pages 12 to 14 of this document. Prospective Investors should read the whole text of this document and should be aware that an investment in the Companies involves a high degree of risk and should make the decision to invest only after careful consideration and, if appropriate, consultation with an independent financial adviser. All statements regarding the Companies' business, financial position and prospects should be viewed in light of such risk factors.
This document is not a KID (key information document) for the purposes of the EU Packaged Retail Investment Insurance Products Regulations or the UK PRIIPs Laws.
The contents of this document and the information incorporated herein by reference should not be construed as legal, business or tax advice. Neither the Companies nor any of the Directors or representatives or advisers are making any representation to any offeree or purchaser or acquirer of the New Shares regarding the legality of an investment in the New Shares by such offeree or purchaser or acquirer under the laws applicable to such offeree or purchaser or acquirer.
| Summary 5 |
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| Part 1: | Risk Factors | 12 | ||
| General Timetable, Key Offers Information, Application Procedures and Costs of the Offers |
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| Part 2: Letter from the Chairman of BSC and Chair of BSC2 |
18 | |||
| Part 3: Key Investment Highlights | 20 | |||
| 3.1 | Attraction of Venture Capital Trusts | 20 | ||
| 3.2 | The British Smaller Companies VCTs – investment highlights |
20 | ||
| 3.3 | YFM Private Equity Limited | 21 | ||
| 3.4 | Consistent successful track record of realisations |
22 | ||
| 3.5 | Strong demand for investment in the UK regions |
23 | ||
| 3.6 | Strong historical performance | 24 | ||
| 3.7 | Broad and maturing portfolio | 25 | ||
| 3.8 | Tax benefits to Investors | 26 | ||
| 3.9 | Providing improved liquidity and buy-back policy |
27 | ||
| 3.10 Dividends and Dividend Re-investment Schemes |
27 | |||
| 3.11 | Practices and operations | 27 | ||
| 3.12 Committees | 28 | |||
| 3.13 Custody arrangements | 29 | |||
| Part 4: The Offers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Introduction to the Offers | 30 | ||
| 4.2 | Investment strategy | 30 | ||
| 4.3 | Investment policy | 30 | ||
| 4.4 | VCT Regulations | 31 | ||
| 4.5 | Co-investment policy | 31 | ||
| 4.6 | The Investment Team | 31 | ||
| 4.7 | The investment process | 33 | ||
| 4.8 | Directors | 34 | ||
| 4.9 | Terms of the Offers | 35 | ||
| 4.10 Pricing of the Offers | 36 | |||
| 4.11 | Costs of the Offers | 38 | ||
| 4.12 Annual charges | 40 | |||
| 4.13 Conflicts of interest | 43 | |||
| Part 5: Taxation Considerations | 44 | |||
| Part 6: Financial Information on the | ||||
| Companies | 48 | |||
| Part 7: Additional Information on the Companies |
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| Part 8: Definitions | 74 | |||
| Part 9: Terms and Conditions of the Dividend Re-investment Schemes |
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| Part 10: Terms and Conditions of Application | 82 | |||
| Manager and Service Providers | ||||
| Name and ISIN of Securities | Ordinary shares of 10 pence each in the capital of British Smaller Companies VCT plc ("BSC") (ISIN: GB0001403152) and ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each in the capital of British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc ("BSC2") (ISIN: GB0005001796) (BSC and BSC2 together the "Companies" and each a "Company"). At an annual general meeting of BSC held on 9 September 2025, a resolution was passed to reduce the nominal value of each issued fully paid up BSC ordinary share from 10 pence per ordinary share to 0.01 pence per ordinary share, which will become effective upon the approval of the High Court. |
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| Identity and Contact Details of Issuers | BSC was incorporated and registered in England and Wales on 6 December 1995 as a public company limited by shares under the Companies Act 1985 with registered number 03134749 (LEI: 213800QXD4A9A3GGB469). BSC2 was incorporated and registered in England and Wales on 4 October 2000 as a public company limited by shares under the Companies Act 1985 with registered number 04084003 (LEI: 213800846X6PYSUG1328). The registered office of the Companies is at 4th Floor, 2 Bond Court, Leeds LS1 2JZ and they can be contacted at www.bscfunds.com or by telephone on 0113 244 1000. |
| Competent Authority approving the Prospectus |
The Financial Conduct Authority, 12 Endeavour Square, London EC20 1JN, telephone 020 7066 1000. |
| Date of Approval of the Prospectus | 25 September 2025. |
| Warnings | This summary should be read as an introduction to the Prospectus. Any decision to invest in the securities should be based on a consideration of the Prospectus as a whole by the investor. An investor could lose all or part of their invested capital. Civil liability attaches only to those persons who have tabled this summary, but only where this summary is misleading, inaccurate or inconsistent, when read together with the other parts of the Prospectus, or where it does not provide, when read together with the other parts of the Prospectus, key information in order to aid investors when considering whether to invest in the New Shares. |
| Who is the Issuer of the Securities? | |||
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| Domicile and legal form | BSC is domiciled in England and was incorporated and registered in England and Wales on 6 December 1995 as a public company limited by shares under the Companies Act 1985 with registered number 03134749 (LEI: 213800QXD4A9A3GGB469). |
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| BSC2 is domiciled in England and was incorporated and registered in England and Wales on 4 October 2000 as a public company limited by shares under the Companies Act 1985 with registered number 04084003 (LEI: 213800846X6PYSUG1328). |
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| The principal legislation under which the Companies operate is the Companies Act 2006 and the regulations made thereunder. |
| Principal Activities | The Companies' portfolios comprise predominantly established unquoted UK companies. The Companies invest across a broad range of sectors that blends a mix of businesses operating in established and emerging industries that offer opportunities in the application and development of innovation in their products and services. |
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| Major Shareholders | The Companies are not aware of any person or persons who have, or who following the Offers will, or could have, directly or indirectly, voting rights representing 3 per cent or more of the issued share capital of the Companies or who can, or could following the Offers, directly or indirectly exercise control over the Companies. There are no different voting rights for any of the Companies' shareholders. |
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| Directors | The directors of BSC (all of whom are non-executive) are: Rupert Cook (Chairman) Adam Bastin Jonathan Cartwright Purvi Sapre The directors of BSC2 (all of whom are non-executive) are: Barbara Anderson (Chair) Arif Ahmed Roger McDowell |
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| Statutory Auditors | The statutory auditor of the Companies is BDO LLP, 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU. |
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| What is the key financial information regarding the issuers? |
BSC | Audited Financial Results for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
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| Net assets (£'000) 257,111 Net asset value per BSC Share (p) 80.55 Net profit before taxation (£'000) 6,769 Earnings per BSC Share (p) 2.21 Dividend per BSC Share (p) 5.25 Total income before operating expenses (£'000) 5,463 Performance fee (accrued/paid) (£'000) Investment management fee (accrued/paid) (£'000) 3,773 Any other material fees paid to service providers (£'000) Total return after expenses and taxation (£'000) 6,769 Total return (p) 264.70 |
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| BSC2 | Audited Financial Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
Unaudited Financial Results for the 6 months Ended 30 June 2025 |
Unaudited Financial Results for the 6 months Ended 30 June 2024 |
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| Net assets (£'000) | 160,451 | 182,127 | 162,894 | ||
| Net asset value per BSC2 Share (p) Net profit (loss) before |
57.10 | 55.05 | 57.50 | ||
| taxation (£'000) | 2,610 | 1,719 | (473) | ||
| Earnings (loss) per BSC2 Share (p) | 0.96 | 0.55 | (0.18) | ||
| Dividend per BSC2 Share (p) | 3.00 | 2.50 | 1.50 | ||
| Total income before operating expenses (£'000) |
3,336 | 1,548 | 1,701 | ||
| Performance fee (accrued/paid) (£'000) |
818 | 298 | - | ||
| Investment management fee | |||||
| (accrued/paid) (£'000) | 2,496 | 1,364 | 1,186 |
| Any other material fees paid to service providers (£'000) Total return after expenses and taxation (£'000) Total return (p) |
- 2,610 146.35 |
- 1,719 146.80 |
- (473) 145.25 |
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| What are the key risks that are | Set out below is a summary of the most material risk factors specific | |||
| specific to the issuers? | to the Companies. There can be no guarantee that each Company's investment objective will be achieved or that suitable investment opportunities will be available. Investments in unquoted companies, by their nature, involve a higher degree of risk than investment in companies listed on the Official List. While inflation has eased from its peak, it remains a key concern in the UK macroeconomic landscape. Persistent price pressures continue to affect consumer behaviour and business costs. This inflationary backdrop may lead to reduced demand and investment uncertainty, which could negatively impact the performance and value of the Companies' portfolio investments, and in turn, their future returns. Any change in governmental, economic, fiscal, monetary or political policy (in particular government spending reviews) may affect levels of unemployment, stock market volatility, consumer confidence and interest rates. There may also be an impact on these factors from global political instability, including current conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East. A change in government in the UK or other regions may also cause a change in these factors. Resultant negative impacts on these metrics may have an adverse impact on the performance of the Companies' portfolio investments, reducing their value, and in turn, the future investment returns of the Companies. Government policy uncertainty and continuing long term challenges for the UK economy, such as trade barriers between the UK and its trading partners, and continued low productivity growth due to low levels of public and private investment, may have an adverse effect on the future investment returns of the Companies. Escalating trade tensions, including the imposition of tariffs by the United States and retaliatory measures by other major economies, may contribute to increased market volatility and uncertainty in global supply chains. These developments could adversely affect the operating environment for UK-based portfolio companies, particularly those with international exposure or reliance on imported goods and materials. Such disruptions may impact the performance and valuation of the Companies' investments, and consequently, their future returns. Future changes to UK tax rates and exemptions could impact the returns of the Companies. Potential adjustments to capital gains tax rates and pension tax reliefs may alter the attractiveness of the United Kingdom for establishing new businesses, reducing the volume of investment opportunities for the Companies. The UK government may alter the financial benefits associated with an investment in venture capital trusts ("VCTs"), such as reducing the upfront income tax relief available on an investment into a VCT; removing the tax-free status of dividends; or removing the capital gains tax exemption available on disposal of shares in a VCT. Realisation of the Companies' investments may be difficult and take time. There may also be constraints imposed on the realisation of investments in order to maintain the tax status of the Companies. These factors may affect the performance of the Companies. The valuation of each Company's portfolio and opportunities for realisation |
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| There can be no guarantee that the Companies will be able to maintain their VCT status. If either Company fails to maintain approval as a VCT before qualifying investors have held their |
| shares for five years, qualifying investors' associated income tax relief will have to be repaid. In addition, dividends paid in an accounting period where VCT status is lost will become taxable and a liability to capital gains tax may arise on any subsequent disposal of shares. Where either Company's VCT status is not maintained, that Company will also lose its exemption from paying tax on capital gains tax. There is a risk that the Companies fail to comply with VCT rules, breach of which could result in the loss of VCT status by the Companies with a resultant clawback of VCT tax reliefs from investors. The VCT rules include: |
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| (i) | a maximum age limit for investments (generally seven years from first commercial sale, or ten years for knowledge intensive companies), and a maximum amount of Risk Finance State Aid which a company can receive over its lifetime (£12 million, or £20 million for knowledge intensive companies); |
| (ii) | a prohibition on companies receiving VCT funds to use those funds to acquire existing shares, businesses or certain intangible assets; |
| (iii) | a "risk-to-capital" condition for VCT qualifying investments, designed to focus investments towards earlier stage, growing businesses, and away from investments which could be regarded as lower risk; |
| (iv) | a prohibition on VCTs making certain non-qualifying investments, including those which breach the "risk-to-capital" condition; |
| (v) | a requirement to comply with HM Revenue & Custom's financial health requirement, as a result of which VCTs may not be able to follow on investments in portfolio companies which are (a) more than seven years old (or ten years if knowledge intensive companies); or (b) if their accumulated losses exceed half of the subscribed share capital. This may mean that there are fewer opportunities for investment and that the Companies may not be able to provide further investment funds for companies already in their portfolios. Breach of any of these conditions could result in the loss of VCT status by the Companies; and |
| (vi) | dividends (or other forms of distribution or payments made to investors) cannot be paid from capital within three years of the end of the accounting period in which shares were issued to investors. This may reduce the amount of distributable reserves available to the Companies to fund dividends and share buybacks. |
| What are the main features of the securities? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type, class and ISIN of securities | At an annual general meeting of BSC held on 9 September 2025, a resolution was passed to reduce the nominal value of each issued fully paid up BSC ordinary share from 10 pence per ordinary share to 0.01 pence per ordinary share, which will become effective upon the approval of the High Court. Subject to this High Court approval, BSC will issue new ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each under the Offers (ISIN: GB0001403152). BSC2 will issue new ordinary shares of 0.01 pence each under the Offers (ISIN: GB0005001796) (the BSC new ordinary shares and the BSC2 new ordinary shares together the "New Shares"). |
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| Currency, par value and number to be issued |
The currency of the New Shares is Sterling. At an annual general meeting of BSC held on 9 September 2025, a resolution was passed to reduce the nominal value of each issued fully paid up BSC ordinary share from 10 pence per ordinary share to 0.01 pence per ordinary |
| share, which will become effective upon the approval of the High Court. Subject to this High Court approval, BSC will issue New Shares of 0.01 pence each under the Offers (ISIN: GB0001403152). BSC2 will issue New Shares of 0.01 pence each under the Offers (ISIN: GB0005001796). The Companies will issue up to £60 million of New Shares, in aggregate, with an over-allotment facility for up to a further £25 million of New Shares, in aggregate. |
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| Rights attaching to the securities | As Regards Income: The holders of the shares as a class shall be entitled to receive such dividends as the directors of the Companies resolve to pay. As Regards Capital: On a return of capital on a winding up or on a return of capital (other than on a purchase by the Companies of their own shares) the surplus capital and assets shall be divided amongst the holders of shares pro rata according to the nominal capital paid up on their respective holdings of shares. As Regards Voting and General Meetings: Subject to disenfranchisement in the event of non-compliance with a statutory notice requiring disclosure as to beneficial ownership, each holder of shares present in person or by proxy shall on a poll have one vote for each share of which they are the holder. As Regards Redemption: The shares are not redeemable. |
| Seniority of securities | The New Shares that are the subject of the Offers will rank equally with the existing Shares in the event of an insolvency of the Companies. |
| Restrictions on the free transferability of the securities |
There are no restrictions on the free transferability of the shares. |
| Dividend policy | A venture capital trust must distribute by way of dividend such amount as to ensure that it retains not more than 15 per cent of its income from shares and securities in any one financial year. The Companies remain committed to the objective, over time, of paying tax free dividends from realised investment returns. This depends upon the level of investment income and realisations that the Companies are able to make or achieve in any one period and cannot be guaranteed. |
| Where will the securities be traded? | Applications have been made to the FCA for the New Shares issued pursuant to the Offers to be admitted to the Official List and will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the New Shares issued pursuant to the Offers to be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities. It is expected that each such admission will become effective, and that dealings in those New Shares will commence, within ten business days of their allotment. |
| What are the key risks that are specific to the securities? |
Set out below is a summary of the most material risk factors specific to the Shares The market price of the New Shares may not fully reflect their underlying net asset value. The value of an investment in the Companies, and the income derived from it, may go down as well as up. Venture capital trusts exist to address a market failure, providing funding where the risk profile of returns is not sufficient for there to be active market participants; an investor may not get back the full amount invested, even taking into account the available tax reliefs. Although the existing shares have been (and it is anticipated that the New Shares will be) admitted to the Official List and are (or will be) traded on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed securities, the secondary market for VCT shares is generally illiquid. |
| The disposal of New Shares within five years of their issue will result in some or all of the 30 per cent income tax relief available on investment becoming repayable. The Companies will only pay dividends on their shares to the extent |
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| that they have distributable reserves and cash available for that purpose. A reduction in income received, or in capital gains realised, from the Companies' investments may adversely affect the dividends payable to the Companies' shareholders. |
| Under which conditions and timetable | Details of the Offer and Admission to Trading | |
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| can I invest in this security? | Up to £60 million of New Shares are being made available under the Offers, in aggregate, with an over-allotment facility for up to a further £25 million of New Shares, in aggregate. The maximum number of New Shares that may be issued under the Offers by BSC and BSC2 is 90 million and 120 million New Shares respectively and the maximum gross proceeds that either BSC or BSC2 can raise under the Offers is £85 million. The New Shares are payable by an applicant in full upon application. The Offers will close on 2 April 2026, or earlier if fully subscribed. The directors of the Companies reserve the right to close the Offers in respect of either Company earlier and to accept applications and issue New Shares at any time following the receipt of valid applications. Applications have been made to the FCA for the New Shares issued pursuant to the Offers to be admitted to the Official List and will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the New Shares issued pursuant to the Offers to be admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities. It is expected that such admission will become effective and that trading will commence in respect of the New Shares within ten business days of their allotment. |
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| Pricing of the Offers The number of New Shares to be allotted under an Offer will be determined by the following formula: A – B – C – D + E NAV per Share where: |
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| A | is the subscription accepted under the relevant Offer ("Offer Amount"), including a pro-rata share between the Companies of any adviser charge that is facilitated by the Companies ("Facilitated Fee"); |
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| B | is the pro-rata share between the Companies of any Facilitated Fee (up to 4.5 per cent of the Offer Amount); |
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| C | is the initial application fee of 3.0 per cent of the Offer Amount (3.5 per cent of the Offer Amount for applications received from applicants who have not invested their money through a financial intermediary/adviser and have invested directly into the Companies); |
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| D | where applicable, is initial commission of 2.0 per cent of the Offer Amount payable to an execution-only broker or platform or an intermediary of a professional investor; |
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| E | where applicable, is the amount of initial commission waived by an execution-only broker or platform (up to a maximum of 2.0 per cent of the Offer Amount); and |
| NAV per Share is the most recently published net asset value per Share of the relevant Company, adjusted, if applicable, for any subsequent dividends paid or declared (and in respect of which no adjustment has been made to that latest published NAV per Share). |
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| Applicants whose applications are accepted and contribute cleared funds to the first £25 million of subscriptions accepted under the Offers will receive additional New Shares equivalent to 0.125 per cent of their respective Offer Amounts. These additional New Shares will be paid for by YFM Private Equity Limited, the Companies' investment manager. |
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| To the extent possible, applicants will receive additional New Shares equivalent to receiving a return on funds awaiting allotment. The rate of return is aligned to the interest rate provided by the bank on funds awaiting allotment and is subject to change. The initial rate is anticipated to be equivalent to receiving a c.2.36 per cent per annum return on funds awaiting allotment, calculated by reference to the number of days between the acceptance of an application (including full receipt of cleared funds) and the date of allotment. The initial rate is provided by the Companies' receiving agent's banking provider and is subject to change without notice. |
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| Each of the boards of the Companies may close the Offers in respect of its Company at any time and reserve the right to accept an application form and to allot and arrange the listing of New Shares in respect of applications received on or prior to the closing date of the Offers as they see fit. |
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| Dilution The existing issued BSC shares will represent 85.0 per cent of the enlarged ordinary share capital of BSC immediately following the Offers, assuming the Offers are fully subscribed in both Companies, including the over-allotment facility, with subscriptions split as to 60 per cent/40 per cent as between BSC and BSC2 respectively at an Offer Price for BSC of 81.804p, and on that basis BSC shareholders who do not subscribe under the Offers will, therefore, be diluted by 15.0 per cent. |
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| The existing issued BSC2 shares will represent 84.2 per cent of the enlarged ordinary share capital of BSC2 immediately following the Offers, assuming the Offers are fully subscribed in both Companies, including the over-allotment facility, with subscriptions split 60 per cent/40 per cent as between BSC and BSC2 respectively at an Offer Price for BSC2 of 55.206p, and on that basis BSC2 shareholders who do not subscribe under the Offers will, therefore, be diluted by 15.8 per cent. |
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| Why is this prospectus being produced? |
Each Company is a tax efficient listed company which aims to achieve long-term investment returns for private investors. Funds raised under the Offers will be utilised by each Company in accordance with its published investment policy, to maintain liquidity and to enable payment of costs without reducing the overall amounts currently available for investment. The Companies co-invest with each other and other funds managed by YFM Private Equity Limited, the Companies' Manager. |
| The net aggregate proceeds of the Offers, assuming a £85,000,000 subscription (with the over-allotment facility fully utilised) and the maximum initial charge, will be £82,025,000. On these assumptions and assuming a split of subscription monies as to 60 per cent to BSC and 40 per cent to BSC2, the net proceeds will be £49,215,000 and £32,810,000 for BSC and BSC2 respectively. |
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| The Offers are not subject to an underwriting agreement. No conflict of interest is material to the Offers. |
Prospective Investors should carefully consider the following risk factors in addition to the other information presented in this document. If any of the risks described below were to occur, it could have a material effect on either of the Companies' business, financial condition or results of operations. The risks and uncertainties described below are the only known material risks which the Companies or their Shareholders will face. Further risks, unknown by the Companies, may exist. Any decision to invest under the Offers should be based on consideration of this document as a whole.
The market price of the New Shares may not fully reflect their underlying Net Asset Value. The value of an investment in the Companies, and the income derived from it, may go down as well as up. VCTs exist to address a market failure, providing funding where the risk profile of returns is not sufficient for there to be active market participants; an Investor may not get back the full amount invested, even taking into account the available tax reliefs.
Although the existing Shares have been (and it is anticipated that the New Shares will be) admitted to the Official List and are (or will be) traded on the London Stock Exchange's market for listed securities, the secondary market for VCT shares is generally illiquid. Therefore, there may not be a liquid market for the Shares, which may be partly attributable to the fact that the initial income tax relief is not available for VCT shares generally bought in the secondary market and because VCT shares usually trade at a discount to their net asset value, the price of the Shares may be volatile and Shareholders may find it difficult to realise their investment. An investment in the Companies should, therefore, be considered as a long-term investment.
The disposal of New Shares within five years of their issue will result in some or all of the 30 per cent income tax relief available on investment becoming repayable. On this basis, investing in New Shares should be considered a long-term investment. The availability of income tax relief on an application for shares issued in a VCT is restricted where the application is "linked" to a sale of shares in the same VCT or another VCT which is known to be merging with that VCT. For these purposes, linked means i) the sale of shares in the VCT was conditional on the application for shares in the same VCT (or vice versa) or ii) the application and sale are within six months of each other (irrespective of which comes first). If the application is "linked", the amount on which the upfront income tax relief can be claimed will be reduced by the amount of consideration of any linked revenue. In addition, if a VCT makes a payment to its shareholders which amounts to a repayment of share capital (including the payment of a dividend or a distribution), other than for the purpose of redeeming or repurchasing such shares, before the end of the third accounting period following the accounting period in which the shares were issued, the VCT status of the VCT will be withdrawn.
The Companies will only pay dividends on their Shares to the extent that they have distributable reserves and cash available for that purpose. A reduction in income received, or in capital gains realised, from the Companies' investments may adversely affect the dividends payable to Shareholders.
The tax rules, or their interpretation, in relation to an investment in Shares and/or the rates of tax may change during the life of the Companies and may apply retrospectively, which may adversely affect the performance of the Companies.
There can be no guarantee that each Company's investment objective will be achieved or that suitable investment opportunities will be available.
An investment in unquoted companies, by its nature, involves a higher degree of risk than investment in companies traded on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange. In particular, smaller companies often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources and may be dependent for their management on a smaller number of key individuals.
While inflation has eased from its peak, it remains a key concern in the UK macroeconomic landscape. Persistent price pressures continue to affect consumer behaviour and business costs. This inflationary backdrop may lead to reduced demand and investment uncertainty, which could negatively impact the performance and value of the Companies' portfolio investments, and in turn, their future returns.
Any change in governmental, economic, fiscal, monetary or political policy (in particular government spending reviews) may affect levels of unemployment, stock market volatility, consumer confidence and interest rates. There may also be an impact on these factors from global political instability, including current conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East. A change in government in the UK or other regions may also cause a change in these factors. Resultant negative impacts on these metrics may have an adverse impact on the performance of the Companies' portfolio investments, reducing their value, and in turn, the future investment returns of the Companies.
Government policy uncertainty and continuing long term challenges for the UK economy, such as trade barriers between the UK and its trading partners, and continued low productivity growth due to low levels of public and private investment, may have an adverse effect on the future investment returns of the Companies.
Escalating trade tensions, including the imposition of tariffs by the United States and retaliatory measures by other major economies, may contribute to increased market volatility and uncertainty in global supply chains. These developments could adversely affect the operating environment for UK-based portfolio companies, particularly those with international exposure or reliance on imported goods and materials. Such disruptions may impact the performance and valuation of the Companies' investments, and consequently, their future returns.
Future changes to UK tax rates and exemptions could impact the returns of the Companies. Potential adjustments to capital gains tax rates and pension tax reliefs may alter the attractiveness of the United Kingdom for establishing new businesses, reducing the volume of investment opportunities for the Companies.
The UK government may alter the financial benefits associated with an investment in VCTs, such as reducing the upfront income tax relief available on an investment into a VCT; removing the tax-free status of dividends; or removing the capital gains tax exemption available on disposal of shares in a VCT.
Realisation of the Companies' investments may be difficult. There may also be constraints imposed on the realisation of investments in order to maintain the tax status of the Companies. The market for stock in smaller companies is less liquid than for stock in larger companies, bringing with it potential difficulties in acquiring and valuing such stock. The lack of liquidity will also give rise to difficulties in disposing or realising of investments at market value should there be a need to realise within a short term. The valuation of each Company's portfolio and opportunities for realisation may also depend on stock market conditions.
The Companies intend to manage their affairs in respect of each accounting period so as to obtain and thereafter maintain approval as a VCT. However, there can be no guarantee that the Companies will be able to maintain their VCT status. If either Company fails to maintain approval as a VCT before Qualifying Investors have held their Shares for five years, Qualifying Investors' associated income tax relief will have to be repaid. In addition, dividends paid in an accounting period where VCT status is lost will become taxable and a liability to capital gains tax may arise on any subsequent disposal of Shares. Where either Company's VCT status is not maintained, that Company will also lose its exemption from paying tax on capital gains tax. If at any time VCT status is lost by either Company, Dealings in the Shares will normally be suspended until such time as that Company has published proposals either to continue as a VCT or to be wound up.
There is a risk that the Companies fail to comply with VCT rules, breach of which could result in the loss of VCT status by the Companies with a resultant clawback of VCT tax reliefs from investors. The VCT rules include:
(vi) dividends (or other forms of distribution or payments made to investors) cannot be paid from capital within three years of the end of the accounting period in which shares were issued to investors. This may reduce the amount of distributable reserves available to the Companies to fund dividends and share buybacks.
Any change of governmental, economic, fiscal, monetary, or political policies, or in particular current government spending reviews and cuts, could materially affect, directly or indirectly, the operation of the Companies and/or their portfolio of companies in which they invest and the value of and returns from securities and/or their ability to achieve or maintain VCT status. Changes in legislation concerning VCTs, in particular in relation to Qualifying Holdings and qualifying trades, may limit the number of Qualifying Investment opportunities, reduce the level of returns which would otherwise have been achievable, increase the risk profile of future investments or result in the Companies not being able to meet their objectives.
Full information for determining the value or the risks to which unquoted companies are exposed may also not be available.
The past performance of the Companies or other funds managed or advised by the Manager is not a reliable indicator of the future performance of the Companies. The value of the Shares depends on the performance of the Companies' underlying assets.
The information in this document is based on existing legislation, including taxation legislation. The tax reliefs described are those currently available. The tax rules, or their interpretation in relation to an investment in the Companies and/or rates of tax, may change during the life of the Companies and can be retrospective. The value of tax reliefs depends on the personal circumstances of the Investor, who should consult their own tax advisers before making an investment.
This Prospectus contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "targets", "believes", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "may", "plan", "will", "anticipates"" and similar expressions (including the negative of those expressions). The Directors consider that the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable but forward-looking statements involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the Companies, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the risk factors section of this document. Given these uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on those forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are made on the date of this document, and the Companies are not under any obligation to update those forwardlooking statements in this document to reflect actual future events or developments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Prospectus shall exclude any liability for, or remedy in respect of, fraudulent misrepresentation. These statements will be updated as and when required by the Prospectus Regulation Rules, the UK Listing Rules and the Disclosure Guidance & Transparency Rules.
Unless otherwise stated, statements made in this Prospectus are based on the law and practice currently in force in England and Wales.
As the Companies are closed-ended investment companies, the Shares will be "excluded securities" under the FCA's rules on non-mainstream pooled investments. Accordingly, the promotion of the Shares is not subject to the FCA's restriction on the promotion of non-mainstream pooled investments. The Companies intend to conduct their affairs so that their Shares can be recommended by financial advisers to retail investors in accordance with the rules on the distribution of financial instruments under the UK MiFID Laws. The Directors consider that the Shares should be considered "non-complex" for the purposes of the UK MiFID Laws.
Without limitation, neither the contents of the Companies' or the Manager's website (or any other website referred to in this Prospectus) nor the content of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Companies' or the Manager's website (or any other website referred to in this Prospectus) is incorporated into, or forms part of this Prospectus.
The Companies may update the information provided in this Prospectus by means of a supplementary prospectus if a significant new factor that may affect the evaluation by prospective investors occurs after the publication of this Prospectus or if this Prospectus contains any material mistake or substantial inaccuracy. Any such supplementary prospectus will be subject to approval by the FCA and will be made public in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation Rules. In the event that the Companies are required to publish a supplementary prospectus prior to Admission, Applicants who have applied for Shares under the Offers shall have the right to withdraw their Applications for Shares made prior to the publication of the supplementary prospectus. Such withdrawal must be made within the time limits and in the manner set out in any such supplementary prospectus (which shall be at least two clear Business Days following the publication of the relevant supplementary prospectus). If the Application is not withdrawn within the stipulated period, any offer to apply for Shares under the Offers will remain valid and binding. Applicants who have applied for Shares via an Intermediary should contact the relevant Intermediary for details of how to withdraw an Application.
| Offers open | 25 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Applications processed | 2 October 2025 |
| Deadline for receipt of Application Forms and cleared funds* Close of business on 27 March 2026 | |
| Closing of the Offers* | On or before 2 April 2026 |
| First allotment of up to £25 million | After 1 January 2026 and on or before 29 January 2026 |
| Second and final allotment* | After 27 March 2026 and on or before 2 April 2026 |
| Allotment letters and tax certificates issued by email or post Within 3 Business Days following allotment | |
| Share certificates (where applicable) issued by post | Within 10 Business Days following allotment |
| Financial Intermediary payments issued by BACS | Within 5 Business Days following allotment |
| Dealings commence | Within 10 Business Days following allotment |
* Each of the Boards may close the Offers to further Applications in respect of its Company earlier than the date stated above if it is fully subscribed by an earlier date. The Boards further reserve the right to accept valid Application Forms and to allot and arrange for the listing of New Shares in respect of Applications received at any times prior to the closing date of the Offers as the Boards see fit.
The estimated maximum number of New Shares to be allotted in the Offers is as follows*:
| BSC | BSC2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum amount raised | £51,000,000 | £34,000,000 |
| Offer Price | 81.804p | 55.206p |
| Maximum number of New Shares to be allotted | 62,344,045 | 61,587,301 |
* Assuming a NAV per Share for BSC and BSC2 of 79.35p and 53.55p respectively, that the Offers are fully subscribed, including the over-allotment facility, an allocation of 60 per cent to BSC and 40 per cent to BSC2 and that all Applications are made through a Financial Adviser without a Facilitated Fee and do not benefit from an Initial Application Fee discount.
The number of New Shares allotted in respect of the Offers will be calculated on the basis of the "Pricing Formula" as set out on page 36.
| Minimum individual Application under the Offers (including any Facilitated Fee) |
£6,000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Application Fee | 3 per cent (3.5 per cent direct) | |
| Initial commission payable to execution only platforms or brokers |
2 per cent | |
| Aggregate net proceeds of the Offers* | £80,750,000 |
* Assuming that the Offers are fully subscribed, including the over-allotment facility, that all Applications, which do not benefit from an Initial Application Fee discount, are made through execution-only platforms or brokers and that no initial commission is waived.
Applicants whose Applications are accepted and contribute cleared funds to the first £25 million of subscriptions accepted under the Offers will receive additional New Shares equivalent to 0.125 per cent of their respective Offer Amounts. These additional New Shares will be paid for by YFM Private Equity Limited, the Companies' Manager.
To the extent possible, Applicants will receive additional New Shares equivalent to receiving a return on funds awaiting allotment. The rate of return is aligned to the interest rate provided by the bank on funds awaiting allotment and is subject to change. The initial rate is anticipated to be equivalent to receiving a c.2.36 per cent per annum rate of return on funds awaiting allotment, calculated by reference to the number of days between the acceptance of an Application (including full receipt of cleared funds) and the date of allotment. The initial rate is provided by the Receiving Agent's banking provider and is subject to change without notice.
The terms and conditions of an Application under the Offers are set out in Part 10 of this document. The Application Form, together with notes on how to complete an Application Form, can be found on the Companies' website. Applications under the Offers will be accepted on a "first-come, first-served" basis, subject always to the discretion of the relevant Board. For these purposes, "first-come, first served" shall be assessed based on the date and time of receipt of a fully completed Application, subject to receipt of Application monies (in full including those making multiple payments) in cleared funds by the earlier of an Offer deadline or within five Business Days from receipt of Application to retain the Applicant's position of priority. If Application monies are not received within such time, the relevant date and time shall be when the Applicant's Application monies are received in cleared funds. An Application may not be considered as "complete" until identity verification is completed and/or, where relevant, information or supporting evidence required for the Application is no longer outstanding. If any Application is not accepted in full or if any contract created by acceptance does not become unconditional, the Application monies or, as the case may be, the unused balance thereof in excess of £2.00 will be returned as soon as possible (without interest) by BACS to each relevant Applicant (or their nominee), at the risk of the person(s) entitled thereto.
BSC 4th Floor Rupert Cook (Chairman) 2 Bond Court Adam Bastin Leeds Jonathan Cartwright LS1 2JZ Purvi Sapre
Barbara Anderson (Chair) 2 Bond Court Roger McDowell Leeds Arif Ahmed LS1 2JZ
BSC2 4th Floor
25 September 2025
We are delighted to announce the new Offers for BSC and BSC2 and invite you to subscribe for Shares.
The Companies are raising up to £60 million, with an over-allotment facility to raise, in aggregate, up to a further £25 million. The Boards may use the over-allotment facility in whole or in part at any time in the duration of the Offers, depending on investor appetite and anticipated cash deployment.
The last fundraise proved popular, with the Companies raising gross proceeds of £75 million in aggregate.
The Companies focus on investing in businesses that are at an early stage of development and are seeking capital to execute on their growth and expansion plans.
Despite a challenging macro environment in recent years, with higher levels of inflation and interest rates, the majority of the Companies' portfolio businesses have shown resilience in their trading and continued to deliver growth. In the 10 year period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2025, the Companies have generated Total Return increases of 61.7 per cent (BSC) and 61.3 per cent (BSC2) compared to their respective opening net asset values. During the same period the FTSE Small Cap rose by 53.6 per cent. The comparative performances over 1, 3, 5 and 10 years are shown in the table below.
| BSC | BSC2 | FTSE Small Cap |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 3.7% | 2.7% | 6.8% |
| 3 years | 14.2% | 11.6% | 15.3% |
| 5 years | 65.8% | 61.8% | 43.4% |
| 10 years | 61.7% | 61.3% | 53.6% |
Demand for growth capital has been increasing in recent years, as evidenced by investments totalling £68.6 million in the past two years to 30 September 2025. The fundraising will allow the Companies to continue to broaden the portfolio with new investments; provide further funding for existing investee companies to accelerate their growth plans; and facilitate the ongoing operation of the Companies.
The Companies are seeking to raise, in aggregate, up to £85 million before expenses, with an initial offer of £60 million. This can be extended by up to £25 million through an over-allotment facility at the discretion of each of the Boards. The maximum number of New Shares that may be issued under the Offers by BSC and BSC2 is 90 million and 120 million New Shares respectively and the maximum gross proceeds that either BSC or BSC2 can raise under the Offers is £85 million. The funds raised under the Offers will be utilised by each Company in accordance with its investment policy, as they seek to deliver attractive returns for Shareholders. The proceeds will also support the Companies in maintaining liquidity, including enabling the Companies to buy back shares for Shareholders who wish to sell, the payment of dividends over the medium term and the payment of costs.
Amounts subscribed by Investors under the Offers will be used to purchase New Shares and will enable them to participate in the investment returns of the Companies' investment portfolios following the allotment of the New Shares.
Assuming 62,344,045 New Shares are issued by BSC at an illustrative Offer Price of 81.804p (as set out on page 37) and assuming 61,587,301 New Shares are issued by BSC2 at an illustrative Offer Price of 55.206p (as set out on page 37), the New Shares will comprise approximately 17.6 per cent and 18.7 per cent of the current Shares in issue of BSC and BSC2 respectively.
Please note that only Application Forms completed online or returned by post/hand/email to the Receiving Agent (including full receipt of cleared funds) will be accepted. The minimum individual subscription in aggregate has been set at £6,000 (including any Facilitated Fee).
Should you wish to participate in the Offers, we would encourage you to do so online and by bank transfer. By doing so, you not only reduce the carbon footprint of the Offers but expedite the processing time of your Application and payment.
Potential Investors should consult their professional or Financial Adviser before deciding whether and, if so, how much they should invest under the Offers. Should you have any administrative questions concerning the application procedures please contact the Receiving Agent on 01484 240 910 (Monday to Friday excluding public holidays, 9.00 am - 5.30 pm) or at [email protected]. No investment, financial or tax advice can be given by YFM or the Receiving Agent. If you are in any doubt, you should consult your independent Financial Adviser.
Please note that YFM, RAM Capital (the promoter of the Offers) and City (the Receiving Agent) act only for the Companies and not for any Investor under the Offers and will not be responsible to the Investors for providing the protections afforded to their clients.
We very much look forward to welcoming participation from you and thank you for your continued support.
Yours faithfully
Rupert Cook Barbara Anderson Chairman Chair
British Smaller Companies VCT plc British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc
The Venture Capital Trust market has evolved over recent years, with a combination of factors contributing to the increase in its attractiveness:
As the size of some Venture Capital Trusts has become larger, their investment portfolios have become more diversified and mature, helping to mitigate the overall level of risk.
The increased scale of the larger Venture Capital Trusts has helped reduce the annual running costs per share of those entities.
Access to a portfolio of higher risk, unquoted growth-orientated investments that have achieved longterm growth in prior periods.
Investment in shares which:
Investments of up to £200,000 per annum are allowed with no lifetime limit.
Note: The above benefits assume that an Investor and the Venture Capital Trusts qualify for all applicable tax reliefs.
The BSC VCTS are among the most consistent performers in respect of net asset value plus cumulative dividends paid ("NAV Total Return") of all generalist VCTs that have a 10 year track record.
The graphs below reflect the Companies' most recent published financial information to 30 June 2025.

1 Source: VCT Generalist NAV Total Return Index compiled from Morningstar as at 18 September 2025 - total return percentage over the period in question (assuming co-invested dividends).

BSC and BSC2 competitive ongoing costs.
The Companies' long track record.
Strong demand for investment, which aligns to YFM's broad regional footprint.
Broad portfolio of investments.
YFM has been investing in growing businesses for over 40 years and has been managing Venture Capital Trusts since 1996. YFM currently manages eight funds, which it is managing under delegation. On behalf of the Companies, YFM will be pursuing an active investment strategy. Since 30 September 2013 YFM has been owned by its management team. YFM benefits from:
A highly experienced VCT investment team, one of the UK's largest – 40 investment and portfolio staff spread across YFM's five regional offices with an average of ten years' experience each, whose combined experience aligns with the published investment policy of the Companies.
Experienced board and management team with significant experience in investment management throughout their careers, further broadened and strengthened in recent years in line with YFM's continued growth.
Strong levels of deal flow in the UK regions selectively choosing from around 750 investment opportunities each year generated by YFM's regional office network and strong ties with the local corporate finance community.
Active portfolio management through a combination of YFM involvement and non-executive director board representation, YFM is actively involved in setting strategy, strengthening management teams, improving management performance, evaluating acquisitions and driving exit values.
Significant investment in YFM's infrastructure in recent years, including a Direct Origination Team; in-house Value Creation professionals in the areas of Revenue Operations, Talent and ESG; and IT systems to enhance operational efficiency and improve data management.
The last 43 investments in unquoted companies realised by the Companies generated an average total return of 2.25x cost.
The map below shows the geographical diversification of the top ten largest investments by value as at 30 June 2025.

The table below sets out the dividend yield* for the three, five and ten years to 30 June 2025.
| 3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| BSC | 6.8% | 9.1% | 8.3% |
| BSC2 | 6.8% | 9.6% | 7.3% |
* Dividend yield is the average dividends in the period as a % of the opening Net Asset Value
Since December 2005, BSC and BSC2 have operated a common investment strategy. The returns from each Company's offers for the last ten years are set out in the graphs below.
Note: There were no fundraisings in 2020 and it is too soon to give meaningful returns for the fundraisings in 2024 and 2025.


15

IRR is the unaudited annual rate of return that equates the cost at the date of the original investment, with the value of subsequent dividends plus the 30 June 2025 Net Asset Value per Share. This excludes the benefit of any initial tax relief.
The past performance of the Manager, the funds it manages, and the Companies may not be repeated and is not a guide to the future performance of the Companies and no projection is implied or should be inferred.
The Companies invest across a range of sectors, with the analysis as at 30 June 2025 set out in the tables below.
| % of venture capital investments by value |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sector | BSC | BSC2 | Combined |
| Application Software | 32 | 30 | 31 |
| Data | 25 | 27 | 26 |
| Tech-enabled Services | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Cloud & DevOps | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Retail & Brands | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| New Media | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Business Services | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Other | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 100 |
As at 30 June 2025, the average holding period for the last 43 unquoted investments realised by the Companies was 7.1 years. Holding periods vary from investment to investment, but the determining factor is based on maximising the return from each investment. The table below sets out the age profile of the combined portfolio of investments by value. As at 30 June 2025, the average holding period of the investment portfolio is approximately 6.6 years.
| % of venture capital investments by value of venture capital investments |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | 5+ years | Total | |
| Combined | 4% | 34% | 20% | 42% | 100% |
The investment portfolios as at 30 June 2025 are summarised below:
| BSC | BSC2 | Combined | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investee company (All in £000) |
Sector | Carrying cost* |
Valuation | Carrying cost* |
Valuation | Carrying cost* |
Valuation | Cumulative % of net assets by value |
| Matillion Limited | Data | 1,778 | 21,462 | 1,456 | 18,129 | 3,234 | 39,591 | 8.4 |
| Unbiased EC1 Limited | Tech-enabled Services | 5,596 | 14,554 | 3,731 | 9,703 | 9,327 | 24,257 | 13.6 |
| Vypr Validation Technologies Limited |
Tech-enabled Services | 5,698 | 10,938 | 3,798 | 7,292 | 9,496 | 18,230 | 17.4 |
| Xapien (via Digital Insight Technologies Ltd) |
Application Software | 6,095 | 8,726 | 4,064 | 5,817 | 10,159 | 14,543 | 20.5 |
| AutomatePro Limited | Cloud & DevOps | 4,025 | 8,403 | 2,683 | 5,602 | 6,708 | 14,005 | 23.5 |
| SharpCloud Software Limited |
Data | 4,380 | 8,193 | 2,920 | 5,462 | 7,300 | 13,655 | 26.4 |
| Summize Limited | Application Software | 2,550 | 7,871 | 1,700 | 5,247 | 4,250 | 13,118 | 29.2 |
| DrDoctor (via ICNH Ltd) |
Application Software | 5,355 | 6,409 | 3,570 | 4,273 | 8,925 | 10,682 | 31.5 |
| Workbuzz Analytics Ltd | Application Software | 4,703 | 6,304 | 3,135 | 4,203 | 7,838 | 10,507 | 33.7 |
| Force24 Ltd | Application Software | 4,275 | 6,259 | 2,850 | 4,173 | 7,125 | 10,432 | 35.9 |
| Quality Clouds Limited | Cloud & DevOps | 5,821 | 5,928 | 3,880 | 3,952 | 9,701 | 9,880 | 38.0 |
| Outpost VFX Limited | New Media | 5,750 | 5,645 | 3,833 | 3,763 | 9,583 | 9,408 | 40.0 |
| Elucidat Ltd | Application Software | 4,260 | 5,461 | 2,840 | 3,640 | 7,100 | 9,101 | 42.0 |
| Plandek Limited | Cloud & DevOps | 3,540 | 4,157 | 2,360 | 2,771 | 5,900 | 6,928 | 43.4 |
| Tonkotsu Limited | Retail & Brands | 2,388 | 4,115 | 1,592 | 2,744 | 3,980 | 6,859 | 44.9 |
| Largest 15 unquoted venture capital investments |
66,214 124,425 | 44,412 | 86,771 110,626 | 211,196 | 44.9 | |||
| Other unquoted venture capital investments |
41,504 | 34,622 | 32,382 | 24,855 | 73,886 | 59,477 | 57.5 | |
| Total unquoted venture capital investments |
107,718 159,047 76,794 111,626 184,512 270,673 | 57.5 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 125,082 125,082 | 67,912 | 67,912 192,994 192,994 | 98.6 | ||||
| Other assets | 4,233 | 4,233 | 2,589 | 2,589 | 6,822 | 6,822 | 100.0 | |
| Net assets | 237,033 288,362 147,295 | 182,127 384,328 470,489 | 100.0 |
* carrying cost is original cost less repayments and the cost of part realisations
The principal tax reliefs, which are available on a maximum annual subscription of £200,000, are set out below:
30 per cent income tax relief on an individual's investment (subject to a minimum five year period of retention and also an individual's total income tax bill);
Tax free dividends and capital distributions;
Exemption from capital gains tax on any capital profit on disposal of shares.
The table below has been prepared for illustrative purposes only and does not form part of the summary of the tax reliefs contained in this section. The table shows how the initial tax reliefs available can reduce the effective cost of an investment of £10,000 in a VCT by a Qualifying Investor subscribing for VCT shares to only £7,000:
| Effective Cost | Tax Relief | |
|---|---|---|
| Investor unable to claim any tax reliefs | £10,000 | Nil |
| Qualifying Investor able to claim tax reliefs | £7,000 | £3,000 |
This is only a brief summary of the current UK tax position of Venture Capital Trust investors. Further details are provided in Part 5. Investors are recommended to consult with their independent Financial Adviser as to the taxation consequences of their investment in a Venture Capital Trust. In addition, the availability of tax reliefs depends on the Companies maintaining their Venture Capital Trust qualifying status.
To facilitate liquidity in the secondary market for their Shares, the Companies operate an active Share buy-back policy, whereby Shares are bought back by the Companies, at a discount to Net Asset Value. This policy and the rate of discount applied to Shares bought back are regularly reviewed. The current discount rate applied by both Companies is targeted to be no more than 5 per cent.
A VCT must distribute by way of dividend such amount as to ensure that it retains not more than 15 per cent of its income from shares and securities in any one financial year. The Directors of each of the Companies aim to pay tax free distributions to Shareholders of income or realised gains.
The Companies each currently operate a Dividend Re-investment Scheme, providing Shareholders with the opportunity to reinvest the cash dividends paid by the Companies through the issue of new Shares. It is expected that the first applicable dividend in relation to which the Schemes will operate for the New Shares will be the first dividend paid after 5 April 2026 by BSC and BSC2 respectively. Shareholders whose New Shares are allotted in the proposed January 2026 allotment may have the opportunity to participate at an earlier date. Currently, Shareholders whose dividends are re-invested under the Schemes receive Shares at the latest reported Net Asset Value as at the date the dividend is paid (adjusted for the relevant dividend if this Net Asset Value does not already recognise the dividend). Whilst the Schemes can be withdrawn at any time, the Directors have no plans to do so.
Shareholders participating in the Schemes should qualify for the Venture Capital Trust tax reliefs that are applicable at the time of investment to subscription for new Shares in the Companies, subject to current law and the limits set out below, provided they hold the Shares for the five year Venture Capital Trust qualifying period applicable to new subscriptions. The Shares subscribed through the Schemes will form part of each Shareholder's current annual limit of £200,000 for new subscription in Venture Capital Trusts, as will shares issued under any other VCT's DRIS or equivalent. Dividends paid by either Company are tax-free provided the holding is acquired within this limit and need not be reported in the Shareholder's annual tax return. Any loss or gain accruing to a Shareholder on a disposal of the Shares acquired within the current annual limit of £200,000 will be neither a chargeable gain nor an allowable tax loss for the purposes of capital gains tax. Shares acquired first will be treated as disposed of first, whether or not tax relief was obtained on those Shares.
Shareholders wishing to participate in the Schemes should complete the appropriate box in Section 5 of the Application Form, having read and understood the terms and conditions of the Schemes, which are set out on pages 82 to 85.
The tax consequences of a Shareholder choosing to participate in either Scheme will depend on their personal circumstances and specialist independent tax and financial advice should be obtained before entering the Scheme.
Each Board is responsible for the overall control and management of their Company with responsibility for its affairs, including determining its investment policy. Investment proposals are originated by the Manager and formally reviewed by the relevant Board or, in the case of BSC, its investment committee.
The Manager is responsible for the sourcing and screening of investment opportunities, carrying out due diligence investigations and presenting papers to the Boards regarding potential investments. Post investment, the Manager works with the businesses and management teams in which the Companies are invested, monitoring progress, effecting change and, where applicable, redefining strategies with a view to maximising values through structured exit processes. The majority of new investments are now self-assured on a case-bycase basis and always with confirmation from professional advisors that they are Qualifying Investments. Advance assurance is sought where there is an element of uncertainty over the application of the rules.
Each Board retains the right to make investment and divestment decisions except in the making of certain investments up to £250,000 in companies whose shares are to be traded on AIM and where the decision is required urgently, in which case the Chair, or, in the case of BSC, the Chairman of the BSC investment committee if appropriate, may act in consultation with the Manager, albeit the Companies do not currently hold any investments in companies whose shares are traded on AIM and have no intention of making such investments at the current time.
The BSC investment committee is authorised to make investment decisions (including new investment, further investment, variation and realisation decisions) on behalf of the BSC Board. The Manager is authorised to approve follow-on investment decisions of up to £1,000,000 (on a combined BSC / BSC2 basis) for wellperforming investments.
Each Board meets regularly throughout the year (normally at least quarterly), and all necessary information is supplied to the Directors on a timely basis to enable them to discharge their duties effectively. Additionally, special meetings will take place or conference calls made when Board decisions are required in advance of regular meetings.
The Board of each Company regularly monitors the performance of the portfolio and the investment targets set by the relevant VCT Regulations. Reports are received from the Manager as to the trading and financial position of each investee company and members of the Investment Team regularly attend the Board meetings. Monitoring reports are also received at each Board meeting on compliance with each Company's investment targets, so that the Boards can monitor that the Venture Capital Trust status of their Company is maintained and take corrective action where appropriate. In addition, each Board receives formal reports from Philip Hare & Associates LLP, its VCT status adviser, twice a year.
The Companies presently comply with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code, published by the Financial Reporting Council in January 2024 (the "Code"), save for those provisions relating to the following: (i) the Companies have not appointed a CEO or a recognised senior independent non-executive director, (ii) the presumption concerning each Chairman/Chair's independence and (iii) the need for an internal audit function. For the reasons set out in the Code, the Boards consider these provisions are not relevant to their Companies, being externally managed VCTs.
Each Company has an audit & risk committee which meets at least three times a year. The audit & risk committees review the actions and judgements of the Manager in relation to the interim and annual financial statements and each Company's compliance with the Code. They review the terms of the management agreement and examine the effectiveness of each Company's internal control systems, receive information from the Manager's compliance department and review the scope and results of the external audit, its cost effectiveness and the independence and objectivity of the external auditors. The audit & risk committees have written terms of reference which define their responsibilities. The audit & risk committee for BSC consists of the BSC Board, with Jonathan Cartwright as Chairman; and the audit & risk committee of BSC2 consists of the BSC2 Board, with Roger McDowell as Chair.
BSC has a combined nominations and remuneration committee which consists of the BSC Directors.
BSC2 has a combined nominations and remuneration committee which consists of the BSC2 Directors.
Jonathan Cartwright is the Chairman of BSC's combined nominations and remuneration committee and Barbara Anderson is the Chair of BSC2's combined nominations and remuneration committee. In considering appointments to the Boards, the committees dealing with nominations take into account the ongoing requirements of the Companies and the need to have a balance of skills and experience on the Boards.
With regards to the allotment of new Shares, BSC and BSC2 both generally operate through a committee of any one Director. In addition, the Companies' company secretary has an authority to allot Shares under the DRIS. The allotment committees meet as and when required to formally approve the allotment of Shares.
The Directors of BSC meet as an investment committee of the Board to consider and approve all investment decisions. The committee is chaired by Adam Bastin. The BSC2 Board has determined that due to the investment procedures currently in place, in its opinion there is no role for a separate investment committee.
Pursuant to a depositary agreement dated 19 September 2023 (the "Depositary Agreement") between the Companies, Thompson Taraz Depositary Limited (the "Depositary") and the Manager, the Depositary provides oversight duties including overseeing the safekeeping of each Company's investments (including all financial instruments and any other assets that the Company may invest in). Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement, each Company's investments will be held in the name of the Company, or in the name of the Manager, on behalf of the Company.
The Offers are seeking to raise £60 million, in aggregate, through the issue of new Shares in each of the Companies. If the Offers are oversubscribed, they may be increased at the discretion of the Companies by a further £25 million, in aggregate. The maximum number of New Shares that may be issued under the Offers by BSC and BSC2 is 90 million and 120 million New Shares respectively and the maximum gross proceeds that either BSC or BSC2 can raise under the Offers is £85 million. Investors will have the option to invest in either of the Companies or in any proportion in a combination of the two. The Prospectus assumes Application Amounts will be split 60 per cent into BSC and 40 per cent into BSC2 in accordance with the basis for allocation when the Companies co-invest. The minimum Application Amount accepted under the Offers is £6,000 (including any Facilitated Fee).
The Companies seek to build a broad portfolio of investments in early-stage companies focused on growth, with the aim of spreading the maturity profiles and maximising return, as well as ensuring compliance with the VCT Regulations.
The Companies predominantly invest in unquoted smaller companies and expect that this will continue to make up the significant majority of the portfolio. They will also retain holdings in cash or near-cash investments to provide a reserve of liquidity which will maximise the Companies' flexibility as to the timing of investment acquisitions and disposals, dividend payments and share buy-backs.
Unquoted investments are structured using various investment instruments, including ordinary preference shares, convertible securities and very occasionally loan stock, to achieve an appropriate balance of income and capital growth, having regard to the VCT Regulations. The portfolio is diversified by investing in a broad range of industry sectors. The normal investment period into the portfolio companies is expected to be typically between the range of five to seven years.
The investment policy of both Companies is as follows:
The investment policy of the Company is to invest in UK businesses across a broad range of sectors that blends a mix of businesses operating in established and emerging industries that offer opportunities in the application and development of innovation in their products and services.
These investments will all meet the definition of a Qualifying Investment and be primarily in unquoted UK companies. It is anticipated that the majority of these will be re-investing their profits for growth and the investments will comprise mainly equity instruments.
The Company seeks to build a broad portfolio of investments in early-stage companies focused on growth with the aim of spreading the maturity profiles and maximising return as well as ensuring compliance with the VCT guidelines.
The Company does not borrow and has no borrowing facilities, choosing to fund investments from its own resources.
The Companies typically co-invest in investments, allocating such investments 60 per cent to BSC and 40 per cent to BSC2. Each Company has discretion as to whether or not to take up or, where the other Company does not take up its allocation, increase its allocation in such co-investment opportunities. The Companies may invest alongside co-investment funds managed by YFM. The Companies have first priority on all equity investment opportunities meeting the VCT qualifying criteria. Non-VCT qualifying investments are allocated to YFM's coinvestment funds.
Cash which is pending investment in VCT-qualifying securities is held in money market funds and interest bearing instant access and short-notice bank accounts.
The Companies' investment policies are designed to ensure that the Companies continue to qualify and are approved as VCTs by HMRC. The current VCT conditions, amongst others, state that the Companies may not invest more than 15 per cent by value of their investments, calculated in accordance with section 278 of the Tax Act ("VCT Value"), in a single company or group of companies and must have at least 80 per cent of its investments by VCT Value throughout the period in shares and securities comprised in Qualifying Holdings. At least 70 per cent by VCT Value of Qualifying Holdings must be in "eligible shares", which are ordinary shares which have no preferential rights to assets on a winding up and no rights to be redeemed but may have certain preferential rights to dividends. At least 10 per cent of each Qualifying Investment must be in eligible shares.
The companies in which investments are made must have no more than £15 million of gross assets at the time of investment and no more than £16 million immediately after the investment to be classed as a Qualifying Holding.
Additionally, the Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 and the Finance Act 2016 have imposed some further conditions in respect of investments, including those regarded as non-Qualifying Investments. These include:
An aggregate limit of £12 million (or £20 million for Knowledge Intensive Companies) on the amount of Risk Finance State Aid investment a business can receive during its lifetime.
No more than seven years can have elapsed since the first commercial sale achieved by the business (ten years in the case of a Knowledge Intensive Company), unless:
VCTs may only invest in Qualifying Holdings and in certain money market securities, shares and securities in a company which are listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange or a European regulated market, and short-term cash deposits.
The Companies' co-investment policies are set out in their investment policies referred to above.
David Hall – Director of YFM Equity Partners – Executive Chair
Joint-Chair of YFM's Investment Committee
Over 35 years of private equity, venture capital and fund management experience
Has led YFM since 2003
Economics graduate and Chartered Accountant, qualifying with PwC
Leads the Executive team
Previously Chief Investment Officer
Joint-Chair of YFM's Investment Committee
Chair of Portfolio Committee
Over 20 years of financial services experience, including over ten years of private equity, venture capital and fund management experience
Joined YFM in 2012, prior to which spent eight years working in Corporate Banking for two UK clearing banks
BA in Banking and Finance from the University of Wales
Leads the Investor Relations team
Previously Managing Partner 2023-2025
Over 25 years of private equity, venture capital and fund management experience
Joined YFM in 2014, previously 15 years at 3i, where he was Portfolio Director of their Asset Management Group, having spent eight years in their Small and Medium Investments team
Responsible for YFM's financial and operational affairs
Over 15 years of private equity and venture capital experience
Previously roles at Arix Bioscience plc, a London Stock Exchange firm, Bridges Fund Management, a leading impact investor, and LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Bank
First class degree in Economics from the University of Nottingham. Qualified as a chartered accountant at PwC
Leads the Compliance, Risk & HR departments across the business
Over 15 years of experience within investment fund risk and compliance
Joined YFM in 2022
LLB in Law from the University of Reading
Has led YFM's portfolio management activities since 2009
Over 20 years of private equity, venture capital and fund management experience
Previously ten years at 3i, where he was a Portfolio Director
First class degree in Mathematics from Imperial College
Over 15 years of private equity, venture capital and fund management experience
Joined YFM in 2017, prior to which spent eight years in investing roles in private equity and eight years in Corporate Finance with Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young
Chartered Accountant with a BA Hons degree in Economics
Over 20 years working in private equity, venture capital or private equity backed businesses
Joined YFM in 2022, prior to which was COO (Europe) and Head of Corporate Development at GEMS Education
Previously held roles at Merrill Lynch and 3i.
Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London
Over 15 years of experience across the private equity landscape
Joined YFM in 2025, prior to which spent 15 years working in corporate finance including roles at PwC, JLA and North Edge Capital
Chartered accountant with a BA Hons degree in Modern Chinese Studies
Leads the New Investment team in the South
Over 15 years of private equity, venture capital and corporate finance experience
Joined YFM in 2020, prior to which spent ten years working in corporate finance including roles at Grant Thornton and BDO
Chartered Accountant with a MA Hons degree in Economics and Finance
Leads the New Investment team in the North
Over 15 years of private equity and venture capital experience
Joined YFM in September 2025, prior to which spent 13 years at BGF where he led the team in the North and Midlands.
Chartered Accountant with a BA Hons degree in Economics
The Manager assesses investment opportunities by reference to a wide range of factors to ensure that investments are appropriate for each Company's investment strategy. Whilst the due diligence and assessment process can differ depending on the stage and sector of each business, it would typically include:
Initial screening: each prospective investment will initially be assessed by the Investment Team. If it does not meet the investment criteria, it will not be considered further.
Investee company assessment: the Investment Team work to understand the investee company's senior management team and culture at the company. This will always include numerous meetings with the management team.
Peer review: the wider investment team, including the Manager's investment committee ("Investment Committee") members, review the opportunity and consider and challenge the investment case.
Due diligence: early-stage opportunities are first subject to in house due-diligence; as the process develops and, following agreement of heads of terms with the investee company, third party experts are often commissioned. Due diligence may include financial, commercial, technology, legal and others as necessary.
Investment Committee: all investments must be approved by the Investment Committee. The committee will consider various factors including, but not limited to, the strength of management team, potential return, output from due diligence, the suitability of the investment in line with each Company's investment policy and ESG factors.
Board approval: Once approved by the Investment Committee, the opportunity must be approved by the BSC investment committee (comprising of Directors of BSC) and/or the BSC2 Board; these parties will consider the same factors as the Investment Committee.
An investment proposal can be rejected at any stage up to and including the BSC/BSC2 Board approval stage.
The Directors of the Companies, all of whom are non-executive, are as follows:
BSC
Rupert Cook Chairman (appointed 1 August 2017, took over the role of Chairman on 16 September 2022) specialises in strategy and corporate development, with 30 years' experience of technology companies, including 20 years in corporate finance and investment. He has led multiple fundraisings, acquisitions and sales of technology businesses as well as having co-founded and built up his own consultancy and training business through to sale to a UK plc. Earlier in his career, he was a senior manager at Cap Gemini plc, Director of Advisory Services at Interregnum plc, Head of Technology M&A at goetzpartners corporate finance and Chief Strategy Officer at Immersive Labs. As well as being an active angel investor, both in the UK and the US, Rupert is currently Chairman of Overe and Red Penguin Ventures.
Adam Bastin Chairman of the Investment Committee (appointed 11 September 2019) is currently EVP, Strategy & Corporate Development of Francisco Partners backed Keyloop, an automotive technology company, where he is responsible for strategic direction as well as the acquisition and integration of complementary businesses. Prior to that, Adam held the equivalent role at TA Associates-backed Unit4, an ERP software vendor and before that spent eight years leading acquisition and investments at Arm Limited, the world's largest semiconductor IP company. Previously Adam worked at BT Group and spent ten years in investment banking. Adam therefore brings a well-developed network in the technology sector in the UK and internationally, and brings a wealth of experience of investing in, acquiring and selling smaller companies. Adam is an experienced M&A, corporate finance and investment professional, a qualified management accountant (CIMA), and has served on the boards of various early-stage technology companies.
Jonathan Cartwright Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee (appointed 1 October 2019) is a chartered accountant with significant experience of the VCT and investment trust sectors. He is a former Chair of Mobeus Income & Growth 4 VCT plc and of CT UK Capital and Income Investment Trust plc.
Purvi Sapre (appointed 6 June 2022) is currently Chief Investment Officer of Sustainable Development Capital LLP, the Investment Manager of SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust plc "SEEIT". She is also the fund manager for SEEIT and is a member of the Investment Committees across SDCL's funds. Purvi has over 20 years' investment experience in the UK and international capital markets, investing on behalf of debt, equity and impact investment funds, including in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, across a range of financing structures.
Barbara Anderson Chair (appointed 1 October 2020, took over the role of Chair on 13 June 2024) is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Chair who has worked extensively with SMEs, third sector and PLCs in regulated sectors, international private companies and venture capital specialists. Amongst other roles, Barbara is currently Chair of the Energy Saving Trust, and an Independent Board Member and Chair of Audit & Risk at Smart DCC Ltd. Her expertise includes innovation for growth and sustainability including ESG, strategic planning, start-up acceleration and business transformation.
Arif Ahmed (appointed 13 June 2024) is a serial entrepreneur and private equity investor in technology, ecommerce, B2B media and healthcare companies. Early in his career he co-founded, grew and exited a software company that scaled a NHS proof-of-concept pilot into a multi-year government contract covering over 1 million NHS staff. He is now building a portfolio of healthcare, software and B2B investments. Arif is Partner at Greystoke Investments, board director of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Chairman of Functional Gut Bidco.
Roger McDowell Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee (appointed 6 March 2019) has considerable experience as a Chair and Non-Executive Director of a wide range of technology, business services and manufacturing businesses. Following the flotation of his family's business and subsequent trade sale, he began his plural career in 2000, when he took board roles in three private equity backed technology businesses. He is Chair of Hargreaves Services Plc, Avingtrans Plc, and Flowtech Fluidpower Plc, and Non-Executive Director of Tribal Group Plc and Proteome Sciences Plc. Roger is Chair of the Audit & Risks Committee at Proteome Sciences.
The present aggregate shareholdings of the Directors in the Company of which they are Directors are as follows:
| Name | Present aggregate Shareholding |
|
|---|---|---|
| BSC | Rupert Cook | 208,746 |
| Adam Bastin | 20,696 | |
| Jonathan Cartwright | 26,494 | |
| Purvi Sapre | 7,028 | |
| BSC2 | Barbara Anderson | 619,754 |
| Roger McDowell | 926,126 | |
| Arif Ahmed | 10,449 |
The Offers are to raise up to £60 million, in aggregate, and if they are oversubscribed, they may be increased by a further £25 million, in aggregate, at the discretion of the Companies. The maximum number of New Shares that may be issued under the Offers by BSC and BSC2 is 90 million and 120 million New Shares respectively and the maximum gross proceeds that either BSC or BSC2 can raise under the Offers is £85 million. In the event that Applications are received in excess of the maximum subscription under the Offers, the Directors reserve the right to use their absolute discretion in the allocation of successful Applications. There is a minimum subscription of £6,000 (including any Facilitated Fee) in aggregate under the Offers. The New Shares will rank pari passu with existing Shares. There is no maximum amount that can be subscribed under the Offers. However, prior to subscribing to the Offers, Investors may wish to consider that, as detailed in Part 5 of this document, tax reliefs are restricted to a maximum VCT allowance, in all VCTs in any single tax year, of £200,000 (including shares issued under a DRIS) per Qualifying Investor.
The results of the Offers will be announced through a Regulatory Information Service within three Business Days of the closing of the Offers. Subject to the Offers remaining open for both Companies, Investors will have the option to invest 60 per cent in BSC and 40 per cent in BSC2 or in any proportion in a combination of the two. In the event that one of the Offers for which an Applicant has applied has closed or is fully subscribed by the time the Application is processed, the Applicant may elect to reallocate the Application to the remaining Offer or to have the Application in respect of the closed/fully subscribed Offer returned to them.
An application has been made to the FCA for the New Shares to be admitted to the Official List and will be made to the London Stock Exchange for the New Shares to be admitted to trading on its main market for listed securities. It is expected that such admission will become effective and that dealings in the New Shares will commence within ten Business Days of their allotment. The New Shares will be created under the Act, issued on a fully paid up basis and in registered form and temporary documents of title will not be issued. Evidence of title will be through possession of a share certificate in the Shareholder's name. Alternatively, the New Shares may be held in an account through the CREST system. The New Shares will be transferable in both certificated and uncertificated form. The Companies will apply for the New Shares to be admitted to CREST and it is expected that the New Shares will be so admitted, and accordingly enabled for settlement in CREST, as soon as practicable after Admission has occurred. Upon receipt of their new share certificate(s), Shareholders wishing to dematerialise their New Shares into CREST should contact their broker who can advise on the CREST stock deposit procedure. Share and tax certificates are expected to be posted to Shareholders within ten Business Days of each allotment. The ISIN of the BSC Shares is GB0001403152. The ISIN of the BSC2 Shares is GB0005001796.
The Offers may not be withdrawn after dealings in the New Shares have commenced. In the event of any requirement for either of the Companies to publish a supplementary prospectus, Applicants who have yet to be entered into that Company's register of members will be given two days to withdraw from their subscription. Applicants should note, however, that such withdrawal rights are a matter of law that is yet to be tested in the courts of England and Wales and Applicants should, therefore, rely on their own legal advice in this regard.
The Offers open on 25 September 2025 and will close no later than 2 April 2026, or earlier should the Offers become fully subscribed. The deadline for receipt of Application Forms and cleared funds is the close of business on 27 March 2026, subject to the Offers not being fully subscribed prior to this date. The first allotment of up to £25 million of New Shares will be made after 1 January 2026 and on or before 29 January 2026 and the second and final allotment under the Offers will be made after 27 March 2026 and on or before 2 April 2026. The Directors may, at their discretion, make allotments of New Shares at any time prior to the close of the Offers. Details of such allotments will be announced through a Regulatory Information Service provider by no later than the Business Day following the allotment.
The number of New Shares to be allotted under an Offer will be determined by the following formula:
| A – B – C– D + E | ||
|---|---|---|
| NAV per Share | where: |
|---|---|
| A | is the subscription accepted under the relevant Offer, including a pro-rata share between the Companies of any Facilitated Fee ("Offer Amount"); |
| B | is the pro-rata share between the Companies of any Facilitated Fee (up to 4.5 per cent of the Offer Amount); |
| C | is the Initial Application Fee of 3.0 per cent of the Offer Amount (3.5 per cent of the Offer Amount for Applications received from Applicants who have not invested their money through an Intermediary/Financial Adviser and have invested directly into the Companies); |
| D | where applicable, is initial commission of 2.0 per cent of the Offer Amount payable to an execution-only broker or platform or an Intermediary of a professional investor; |
| E | where applicable, is the amount of initial commission waived by an execution-only broker or platform (up to a maximum of 2.0 per cent of the Offer Amount); and |
| NAV per Share | NAV per Share is the most recently published NAV per Share of the relevant Company, adjusted, if applicable, for any subsequent dividends paid or declared (and in respect of which no adjustment has been made to that latest published NAV per Share). |
Applicants whose Applications are accepted and contribute cleared funds to the first £25 million of subscriptions accepted under the Offers will receive additional New Shares equivalent to 0.125 per cent of their respective Offer Amounts. These additional New Shares will be paid for by YFM Private Equity Limited, the Companies' Manager.
To the extent possible, Applicants will receive additional New Shares equivalent to receiving a return on funds awaiting allotment. The rate of return is aligned to the interest rate provided by the bank on funds awaiting allotment and is subject to change. The initial rate is anticipated to be equivalent to receiving a c.2.36 per cent per annum rate of return on funds awaiting allotment, calculated by reference to the number of days between the acceptance of an Application Form (including full receipt of cleared funds) and the date of allotment. The initial rate is provided by the Receiving Agent's banking provider and is subject to change without notice.
The number of New Shares to be issued by each Company under the Offers will be rounded down to the nearest whole number (fractions of New Shares will not be allotted). If there is a surplus of funds from an Application Amount, the balance will be returned (without interest) by BACS transfer; save where the amount is less than £2.00, in which case it will be retained by the relevant Company.
Where Applicants have provided an e-mail address in their Application, the Receiving Agent will send the Applicant a link to the Application tracking service where the Applicant, if accepted, can obtain their allotment letter and income tax relief certificate within three Business Days of the allotment. Share certificates will follow by post within ten Business Days. Where Applicants have not provided an e-mail address, the Receiving Agent will despatch to Applicants whose Applications are accepted, within ten Business Days of the allotment date, an allotment letter and an income tax relief certificate, and separately a share certificate.
As at the date of this Document the most recently published (unaudited) NAVs were 81.35p and 55.05p for BSC and BSC2 respectively, being the unaudited NAVs as at 30 June 2025 for BSC and BSC2 respectively. Since 30 June 2025, BSC paid an interim dividend of 2.00p per BSC Share on 25 July 2025 and BSC2 has declared a further interim dividend of 1.50p per BSC2 Share, which will be paid on 31 October 2025. New Shares issued under the Offers will not be eligible for any of the above dividends.
The maximum aggregate amount to be raised by the Companies under the Offers, including the over-allotment facility, is £85 million. For illustrative purposes, assuming New Shares are issued at an illustrative Offer Price of 81.804p and 55.206p for BSC and BSC2 respectively (as set out on page 37), the maximum number of New Shares that will be issued under the Offers by BSC and BSC2, assuming a 60 per cent/40 per cent split between BSC and BSC2 respectively, is 62,344,045 New Shares and 61,587,301 New Shares by BSC and BSC2 respectively (although the actual number of New Shares that will be issued by each of the Companies will depend on the Offer Prices which could be higher or lower than the illustrative Offer Prices of 81.804p and 55.206p).
Each of the Boards may close the Offers in respect of its Company earlier than the date stated on page 16. The Boards further reserve the right to accept an Application Form and to allot and arrange the listing of New Shares in respect of Applications received on or prior to the closing date of the Offers as the Boards see fit, which may not be on the dates stated on page 16.
An illustration of the application of the Pricing Formula based on the most recently published (unaudited) NAVs as at 30 June 2025 of 81.35p and 55.05p for BSC and BSC2 respectively (and in the case of BSC adjusting for the interim dividend of 2.00p per BSC Share that was paid on 25 July 2025 and in the case of BSC2 adjusting for the interim dividend of 1.50p per BSC2 Share that will be paid on 31 October 2025), assuming a full subscription, including the over-allotment facility, and a 60 per cent/40 per cent split between BSC and BSC2 respectively, is set out below.
| Direct | Through a Financial Advisor, no Facilitated Fee |
Through a Financial Advisor, Facilitated Fee of 2% |
Execution only platform or broker, 2% initial commission waived |
Execution only platform or broker, no initial commission waived |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum amount raised | 51,000,000 | 51,000,000 | 51,000,000 | 51,000,000 | 51,000,000 |
| Facilitated Fee | - | - | (1,020,000) | - | - |
| Initial Application Fee (3.0 per cent – direct 3.5 per cent) |
(1,785,000) | (1,530,000) | (1,530,000) | (1,530,000) | (1,530,000) |
| Initial commission (2 per cent) | - | - | - | (1,020,000) | (1,020,000) |
| Initial commission waived | - | - | - | 1,020,000 | - |
| Net amount invested | 49,215,000 | 49,470,000 | 48,450,000 | 49,470,000 | 48,450,000 |
| NAV per BSC Share | 79.35p | 79.35p | 79.35p | 79.35p | 79.35p |
| Number of Shares issued | 62,022,684 | 62,344,045 | 61,058,601 | 62,344,045 | 61,058,601 |
| Illustrative Offer Price* | 82.228p | 81.804p | 83.526p | 81.804p | 83.526p |
| Direct | Through a Financial Advisor, no Facilitated Fee |
Through a Financial Advisor, Facilitated Fee of 2% |
Execution only platform or broker, 2% initial commission waived |
Execution only platform or broker, no initial commission waived |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum amount raised | 34,000,000 | 34,000,000 | 34,000,000 | 34,000,000 | 34,000,000 |
| Facilitated Fee | - | - | (680,000) | - | - |
| Initial Application Fee (3.0 per cent – direct 3.5 per cent) |
(1,190,000) | (1,020,000) | (1,020,000) | (1,020,000) | (1,020,000) |
| Initial commission (2 per cent) | - | - | - | (680,000) | (680,000) |
| Initial commission waived | - | - | - | 680,000 | - |
| Net amount invested | 32,810,000 | 32,980,000 | 32,300,000 | 32,980,000 | 32,300,000 |
| NAV per BSC2 Share | 53.55p | 53.55p | 53.55p | 53.55p | 53.55p |
| Number of Shares issued | 61,269,841 | 61,587,301 | 60,317,460 | 61,587,301 | 60,317,460 |
| Illustrative Offer Price* | 55.492p | 55.206p | 56.368p | 55.206p | 56.368p |
* The example Offer Prices shown above are for illustrative purposes only as the NAVs may be different for the purposes of calculating the number of New Shares allotted to Applicants under the Offers (which may be higher or lower than in the examples above).
Set out below is an illustration of the number of New Shares that would be allotted for an Application of £10,000, based on the illustrative Offer Prices above. Where applicable these examples assume no Initial Application Fee discount, a Facilitated Fee of 0.5 per cent or 2 per cent, 2 per cent of the initial commission is waived by the financial Intermediary and no initial commission is waived by the financial Intermediary.
| Direct | Through a Financial Advisor, no Facilitated Fee |
Through a Financial Advisor, Facilitated Fee of 0.5% |
Through a Financial Advisor, Facilitated Fee of 2% |
Execution only platform or broker, 2% initial commission waived |
Execution only platform or broker, no initial commission waived |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Amount | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 |
| Facilitated Fee | - | - | (£50) | (£200) | - | - |
| Initial Application Fee | (£350) | (£300) | (£300) | (£300) | (£300) | (£300) |
| Initial commission | - | - | - | - | (£200) | (£200) |
| Initial commission waived | - | - | - | - | £200 | - |
| Amount invested | £9,650 | £9,700 | £9,650 | £9,500 | £9,700 | £9,500 |
| NAV per BSC Share | 79.35 | 79.35 | 79.35 | 79.35 | 79.35 | 79.35 |
| Illustrative number of New Shares to be allotted |
12,161 | 12,224 | 12,161 | 11,972 | 12,224 | 11,972 |
| Illustrative Offer Price as set out on page 37 |
82.228 | 81.804 | 82.228 | 83.526 | 81.804 | 83.526 |
| Direct | Through a Financial Advisor, no Facilitated Fee |
Through a Financial Advisor, Facilitated Fee of 0.5% |
Through a Financial Advisor, Facilitated Fee of 2% |
Execution only platform or broker, 2% initial commission waived |
Execution only platform or broker, no initial commission waived |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application Amount | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 |
| Facilitated Fee | - | - | (£50) | (£200) | - | - |
| Initial Application Fee | (£350) | (£300) | (£300) | (£300) | (£300) | (£300) |
| Initial commission | - | - | - | - | (£200) | (£200) |
| Initial commission waived | - | - | - | - | £200 | - |
| Amount invested | £9,650 | £9,700 | £9,650 | £9,500 | £9,700 | £9,500 |
| NAV per BSC2 Share | 53.55p | 53.55p | 53.55p | 53.55p | 53.55p | 53.55p |
| Illustrative number of New Shares to be allotted |
18,020 | 18,113 | 18,020 | 17,740 | 18,113 | 17,740 |
| Illustrative Offer Price as set out on page 37 |
55.492 | 55.206 | 55,492 | 56.368 | 55.206 | 56.368 |
The initial costs of the Offers comprise (i) an Initial Application Fee of 3.0 per cent of the Application Amount (3.5 per cent for Applications received from Applicants who have not invested their money through an Intermediary/Financial Adviser and have invested directly into the Companies) and (ii) the initial commissions payable by the Companies in respect of Applications received through certain Intermediaries.
Applicants whose Applications are accepted and contribute cleared funds to the first £25 million of subscriptions accepted under the Offers will receive additional New Shares equivalent to 0.125 per cent of their respective Offer Amounts. These additional New Shares will be paid for by YFM Private Equity Limited, the Companies' Manager.
To the extent possible, Applicants will receive additional New Shares equivalent to receiving a return on funds awaiting allotment. The rate of return is aligned to the interest rate provided by the bank on funds awaiting allotment and is subject to change. The initial rate is anticipated to be equivalent to receiving a c.2.36 per cent per annum rate of return on funds awaiting allotment, calculated by reference to the number of days between the acceptance of an Application (including full receipt of cleared funds) and the date of allotment. The initial rate is provided by the Receiving Agent's banking provider and is subject to change without notice.
The Initial Application Fee is 3.0 per cent of the Application Amount (3.5 per cent for Applications received from Applicants who have not invested their money through an Intermediary/Financial Adviser and have invested directly into the Companies) and is paid by the relevant Company to the Manager. Assuming gross proceeds of £85 million are raised under the Offers from Applicants investing through Intermediaries/Financial Advisers, that those proceeds are allocated 60 per cent to BSC and 40 per cent to BSC2 and that none of the Applications benefit from an Initial Application Fee discount, the Initial Application Fee payable by BSC will be £1,530,000, which represents 0.6 per cent of BSC's net assets as shown in its audited financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 and the Initial Application Fee payable by BSC2 will be £1,020,000, which represents 0.6 per cent of BSC2's net assets as shown in its unaudited financial statements for the 6 months ended 30 June 2025. In consideration, the Manager has agreed to meet the costs associated with the Offers, including any additional New Shares issued on the first £25 million of subscriptions, save for initial commissions payable to Intermediaries, on behalf of the Companies and the Manager will, therefore, be responsible for all of these costs.
Commission is permitted to be paid to Intermediaries in certain limited circumstances, such as in respect of execution only clients (where no advice or personal recommendation has been added) or where the Intermediary has demonstrated that the Investor is a professional client of the Intermediary. Those Intermediaries that are permitted to receive commission will receive an initial commission of 2.0 per cent of the amount invested by their clients under the Offers. Intermediaries may waive, in full or in part, the initial commission in favour of New Shares for the Applicant. Provided that the Manager agrees to pay trail commission, that the Intermediary continues to act for the Investor and that the Investor continues to be the beneficial owner of the New Shares, subject to applicable laws and regulations the Intermediary can be paid total trail commission of up to 2.5 per cent in aggregate of their client Investors' Application Amount, paid as 0.5 per cent per annum over a period of up to five years. Trail commission in respect of the Offers will be paid annually (commencing in 2027) by the Manager.
Where initial commission is payable the Intermediary may agree to waive all or part of the initial commission in respect of an Application. If this is the case, the commission waived will be added to the amount subscribed and New Shares will be allotted to the Investor at the relevant Offer Price. Intermediaries must indicate on the Application Form the basis on which they wish to receive their commission.
Assuming the costs of the Offers are 5.0 per cent of the gross proceeds of the Offers and that all Applications are made through execution only brokers and no execution only commission is waived, the net proceeds of the Offers for each of the Companies, assuming a full subscription, including the over-allotment facility, and a 60 per cent/40 per cent split between BSC and BSC2 respectively, would be £48,450,000 and £32,300,000 for BSC and BSC2 respectively.
The Companies have agreed to facilitate the payment of one-off Adviser Charges (up to 4.5 per cent of the Offer Amount), by accepting instructions from an Investor to deduct the amount of the fee agreed by them with their Financial Adviser, from the amount they send to the Companies. Ongoing fees to Intermediaries will not be facilitated by the Companies. The amount of any Facilitated Fee to be facilitated in this manner should be specified in Section 8 of the Application Form, and the Facilitated Fee will be paid to the relevant Financial Adviser on behalf of the Applicant from an equivalent amount due to the Applicant from the Companies. The Investor will be issued fewer New Shares (to the equivalent value of the Facilitated Fee) as set out on page 38. Where the Facilitated Fee stated on the Application Form is exclusive of VAT, the Investor may remain liable for the VAT element thereof.
Income tax relief should still be available on the total amount subscribed, before deduction of Facilitated Fees, subject to VCT Regulations and personal circumstances.
The Companies currently conduct their affairs so that the Shares can be recommended by Financial Advisers or Intermediaries to ordinary retail Investors in accordance with the FCA's rules in relation to non-mainstream investment products and intend to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. The FCA's restrictions which apply to non-mainstream investment products do not apply to the Shares because they are shares in a VCT which, for the purposes of the FCA rules relating to non-mainstream investment products, are excluded securities and may be promoted to ordinary retail Investors without restriction.
You may complete and submit your Application Form online at [email protected]. A blank Application Form can also be found on the Companies' website together with explanatory notes.
Applications under the Offers will be accepted on a "first-come, first-served" basis, subject always to the discretion of the relevant Board. For these purposes, "first-come, first served" shall be assessed based on the date and time of receipt of a fully completed Application, subject to receipt of Application monies (in full including those making multiple payments) in cleared funds by the earlier of an Offer deadline or within five Business Days from receipt of Application to retain the Applicant's position of priority. If Application monies are not received within such time, the relevant date and time shall be when the Applicant's Application monies are received in cleared funds. An Application may not be considered as "complete" until identity verification is completed and/or, where relevant, information or supporting evidence required for the Application is no longer outstanding. Investors are encouraged to submit their Application Forms early in order to be confident that their Application will be successful.
Applications accompanied by a post-dated cheque will not be accepted. Multiple Applications under the Offers from the same Investor will be processed in order of receipt. The Companies may, in their absolute discretion, reject Applications if cheques do not clear on first presentation.
The Terms and Conditions of Application for the New Shares under the Offers are set out on pages 82 to 85 of this Prospectus. By signing the Application Form, Investors will be declaring that they have read the Terms and Conditions of Application and agree to be bound by them. Prior to completing an Application Form, Investors are advised to read the notes on how to complete the Application Form.
Completed Application Forms submitted by post/hand should be sent to:
BSC & BSC2 Offers The City Partnership (UK) Ltd The Mending Rooms Park Valley Mills Meltham Road Huddersfield HD4 7BH
Alternatively, you may complete and return your Application by email to [email protected].
YFM, RAM Capital and City are acting exclusively for the Companies and for no one else in relation to the Offers. Apart from the responsibilities and liabilities, if any, which may be imposed on YFM, RAM Capital and City by FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder, YFM, RAM Capital and City will not be responsible to anyone else other than the Companies for providing the protections afforded to their clients or for advising any other persons in relation to the Offers or any transaction contemplated in or by this Prospectus.
YFM, RAM Capital and City are not providing investment, financial or tax advice in relation to the Offers.
The annual fee for the twelve months to 31 March 2025 was £3,773,000, equal to 1.56 per cent of the average NAV (prior year 1.68 per cent).
The annual fee payable to the Manager is calculated as 1.0 per cent on all surplus cash, defined as all cash above £7.5 million. The annual fee on all other assets is 2.0 per cent per annum. This is calculated half yearly at 31 March and 30 September. BSC and the Manager have agreed in principle to amend the administration and investment advisory agreement set out at paragraph 6.6 of Part 7 of this Prospectus in respect of surplus cash so that it comprises cash above £20 million and to increase the fee payable to 1.25 per cent, and in respect of which BSC will comply with its obligations under the UK Listing Rules relating to related parties as applicable to VCTs.
The Manager also provides and procures the provision of secretarial and administration services to BSC. The Manager receives an annual accounting and secretarial fee, index linked, which is currently £92,000, equal to 0.04 per cent of the average NAV.
The annual fee for the twelve months ending 31 December 2024 was £2,496,000, equal to 1.65 per cent of the average NAV (prior year 1.76 per cent).
The annual fee payable to the Manager is calculated as 1.0 per cent on all surplus cash, defined as all cash above £5 million. The annual fee on all other assets is 2.0 per cent per annum. This is calculated half yearly at 30 June and 31 December. BSC2 and the Manager have agreed in principle to amend the investment advisory agreement set out at paragraph 6.9 of Part 7 of this Prospectus in respect of surplus cash so that it comprises cash above £20 million and to increase the fee payable to 1.25 per cent, and in respect of which BSC2 will comply with its obligations under the UK Listing Rules relating to related parties as applicable to VCTs.
The Manager also provides and procures the provision of secretarial and administration services to BSC2. The Manager receives an annual accounting and secretarial fee, index linked, which is currently £93,000, equal to 0.06 per cent of the average NAV.
A performance incentive fee is payable subject to BSC achieving a target level of Total Return (the "BSC Total Return Hurdle") and dividend ("BSC Dividend Hurdle"). Subject to meeting the BSC Total Return Hurdle, the Manager will receive an amount equivalent to 20 per cent of the amount by which dividends paid per BSC Share exceeds the BSC Dividend Hurdle, multiplied by the number of BSC Shares in issue at the year end. The incentive fee in any financial year will be subject to a cap if the excess of dividends paid over the BSC Dividend Hurdle is greater than the sum of the excess of the BSC Total Return over the BSC Total Return Hurdle divided by 1.2. With effect from 31 March 2019 the BSC Total Return Hurdle was 228.6 pence per BSC Share and the annual increase is equivalent to 4.0 pence per BSC Share, as increased or decreased by the percentage increase or decrease (if any) in RPI from 1 April 2009. For the year ended 31 March 2025 the annual increase in the BSC Total Return Hurdle was 7.25 pence per BSC Share.
The BSC Dividend Hurdle was originally 4.0 pence per BSC Share (increasing in line with RPI from 1 April 2009). For the year ended 31 March 2025 the BSC Dividend Hurdle was 7.25 pence per BSC Share.
The incentive fee payable for the year ended 31 March 2025 was calculated as follows:
| Total Return Hurdle (p) | 272.75 |
|---|---|
| Actual Total Return per BSC Share before incentive fee (p) | 264.70 |
| Shortfall over Total Return Hurdle (p) | (8.05) |
| Dividend Hurdle (p) | 7.25 |
| Actual Dividends per BSC Share (p) | 5.25 |
| Shortfall over Dividend Hurdle (p) | (2.00) |
| Lower excess of the two hurdles (p) | - |
| Fee impact reduction (divide by 1.2) (p) | - |
| Performance fee per BSC Share at 20% of adjusted excess (p) | - |
| Number of BSC Shares in issue ('000) | 319,179 |
| Incentive fee payable (£'000) | - |
The BSC Total Return Hurdle for the year ending 31 March 2026 is 280.25 pence per BSC Share. The BSC Dividend Hurdle is 7.50 pence per BSC Share.
If the annual incentive fee exceeds £5.0 million then the excess is deferred until following the next year's Annual General Meeting. Payment of the remainder is made five Business Days after the relevant Annual General Meeting at which the audited accounts are presented to shareholders.
The amount of the incentive payment paid to the Manager for any one year shall, when taken with all other relevant costs, ensure that BSC's total costs in a single year do not exceed 5 per cent of net assets. Any excess over the 5 per cent is carried forward to be included in the calculation of the amount that can be paid in future years. Except with shareholder approval the maximum fee payable in any 12 month period will not exceed £7.5 million.
There are also provisions for a compensatory fee in circumstances where BSC is taken over or the incentive agreement between BSC and the Manager is terminated, which is calculated as a percentage of the fee that would otherwise be payable under that incentive agreement by reference to the accounting period following its termination. In this instance 80 per cent is payable in the first accounting period after such an event, 55 per cent in the second, 35 per cent in the third and nothing is payable thereafter.
Pursuant to the subscription rights agreement set out in paragraph 6.10 of Part 7 of this prospectus (the "Subscription Rights Agreement") a performance incentive fee is payable when the Cumulative Returns as at the last Business Day in December each year (a "Performance Fee Reference Date") exceeds the Trigger Value at that Performance Fee Reference Date, where:
Cumulative Returns equals the sum of:
and
Trigger Value equals the sum of:
and
the Annual Share Price Hurdle is as set out in the following table:
| Performance Fee Reference Date |
Annual Share Price Hurdle |
|---|---|
| 2024 Performance Fee Reference Date | 1% of the BSC2 Share Price on the previous Performance Fee Reference Date |
| 2025 Performance Fee Reference Date | 2% of the BSC2 Share Price on the previous Performance Fee Reference Date |
| 2026 Performance Fee Reference Date | 3% of the BSC2 Share Price on the previous Performance Fee Reference Date |
| 2027 Performance Fee Reference Date | 4% of the BSC2 Share Price on the previous Performance Fee Reference Date |
| 2028 Performance Fee Reference Date and subsequent Performance Fee Reference Dates |
5% of the BSC2 Share Price on the previous Performance Fee Reference Date |
The performance fee is 20 per cent of the amount that Cumulative Returns as at a Performance Fee Reference Date exceeds the Trigger Value per BSC2 Share multiplied by the number of BSC2 Shares in issue and the BSC2 Shares under option (if any). The performance fee is payable in cash or BSC2 Shares granted through rights to subscribe. These rights are exercisable in the ratio 95:5 between the Manager and Chord Capital Limited respectively until the year ended 31 December 2026, and by the Manager thereafter.
As at 31 December 2024 Cumulative Returns were 142.75 pence per ordinary share. Consequently the Trigger Value of 141.295 pence was exceeded and a performance related incentive of £818,000 for the year ended 31 December 2024 was payable.
The Trigger Value for the year ending 31 December 2025 is 143.800 pence per ordinary share, representing a return of 2.0 per cent over the closing BSC2 Share Price at the end of the prior year.
Based on the net asset value per share at 30 June 2025, BSC2 estimates that the Cumulative Returns will increase to 144.250 pence per ordinary share. At this level, the Trigger Value would be exceeded and a fee of £298,000 would be due. As such, this amount has been accrued at 30 June 2025. Any incentive fee ultimately paid is calculated on the actual Cumulative Returns at 31 December 2025, and not on the estimated level.
In addition to the fees described above, which are paid by the Companies, the Manager receives advisory fees in connection with new investments which are paid by the relevant investee company. In respect of each of the Companies there is an aggregate annual cap applied to these fees for new investments of 3 per cent and for further investments of 2 per cent, with any fees above this cap being payable to the Companies. Where expenses have been incurred and the investment does not proceed, the Manager pays any abort fees. The Manager also receives advisory or monitoring or non-executive director fees from unquoted portfolio companies. In respect of each of the Companies these fees are capped at a maximum of £40,000 per annum for an unquoted company. The aggregate of these fees received by the Manager in the twelve months to 31 March 2025 was £2,345,000.
The Companies have built strong relationships with many of the companies in which they invest, and sometimes this can present "conflicts of interest" as explained below.
With these relationships, there is a chance that the interests of one group of investors will be at odds, or present a conflict, with the interests of another group or with the interests of the Manager. The Companies and the Manager aim to ensure that the interests of the Shareholders are always looked after. Conflicts of interest are sometimes unavoidable. In the first instance, the Companies and the Manager look to prevent these, but if they cannot they will take action to manage or mitigate any effect. For more information on some of the main conflicts please see below.
The Investment Team have previously invested funds from the Companies alongside other YFM Private Equity Limited managed products or services, and expects to do so again going forward. This means an investee company can benefit from more diverse sources of funding while still partnering with the Manager, which in turn could make the Manager a more attractive investor for entrepreneurs.
The Companies will retain pre-emption rights, including a right of first refusal, on all existing holdings. Investments into new businesses made by YFM Private Equity Limited managed funds will be allocated between the Companies and any co-investing YFM Private Equity Limited managed funds and services in accordance with an allocation policy (the "Allocation Policy"), which has been agreed by the Boards. Any changes to this policy which may impact the Companies will require Board approval.
The Manager often places one of its employees on the board of the companies it invests in, either as an observer or a director. This means the Manager is able to closely monitor the investment it has made on behalf of the Companies. However, this also means that, as company directors, those employees have obligations to all shareholders of the portfolio company, and not just Shareholders.
Some investments held by the Companies could have investors across more than one YFM Private Equity Limited managed fund and as a result the interests of all parties may not be fully aligned. The Manager has agreed policies and processes in place to ensure that any transactions that affect more than one group of investors are managed fairly; however, sometimes certain groups of investors may still be restricted in the timing of an exit.
The Companies and the Manager have a number of controls in place to manage any conflicts of interest where they cannot prevent them. These include:
The Manager's Investment Committee ensures investment decisions are in the best interests of investors, including how potential conflicts of interest are managed when they cannot be avoided, as well as being responsible for ensuring compliance with the Allocation Policy. The Allocation Policy sets out how the amount invested from each fund into each opportunity is determined.
Each Company's Audit & Risk Committee and the board of the Manager are responsible for ensuring conflicts are handled appropriately.
As the Companies are publicly listed companies, they have their own Board of Directors, who are required to act independently and represent Shareholders' best interests at all times. The Boards are ultimately responsible for ensuring the investment strategy and policy of each Company is carried out. Each Board also approves the Allocation Policy.
The following is only a summary of the current law concerning the tax position of individual Qualifying Investors in VCTs. Potential Investors are recommended to consult a duly authorised independent Financial Adviser as to the taxation consequences of an investment in a VCT. The tax rules or their interpretation in relation to an investment in the Companies and/or rates of tax may change during the life of the Companies and can be retrospective. Tax legislation in the Investor's member state may have an impact on the income received from the New Shares.
The tax reliefs set out below are those currently available to individuals aged 18 or over who subscribe for New Shares under the Offers and will be dependent on personal circumstances. Whilst there is no specific limit on the amount of an individual's acquisition of shares in a VCT, tax reliefs will only be given to the extent that the total of an individual's Applications or other acquisitions of shares in VCTs (including shares issued under a DRIS) in any tax year does not exceed £200,000. Qualifying Investors who intend to invest more than £200,000 in VCTs in any one tax year should consult their professional advisers.
2.1.1 Relief from income tax on investment
A Qualifying Investor subscribing for New Shares will be entitled to claim income tax relief on amounts subscribed currently up to a maximum of £200,000 invested in VCTs in any tax year.
The relief is given at the rate of 30 per cent on the amount subscribed regardless of whether the Qualifying Investor is a higher rate, additional rate or basic rate tax payer, provided that the relief is limited to the amount which reduces the Qualifying Investor's income tax liability to nil. Investments to be used as security for or financed by loans may not qualify for relief, depending on the circumstances.
2.1.2 Dividend relief
A Qualifying Investor, who acquires shares in any VCT in any tax year having a value up to a maximum of £200,000, will not be liable to income tax on dividends paid on those shares and there is no withholding tax thereon.
2.1.3 Purchases in the market
A Qualifying Investor who purchases existing shares in the market will be entitled to claim dividend relief (as described in paragraph 2.1.2 above) but not relief from income tax (as described in paragraph 2.1.1 above).
2.1.4 Withdraw of relief
Relief from income tax on an application for VCT shares (including an Application for New Shares) will be withdrawn if the VCT shares are disposed of (other than between spouses or on death) within five years of issue or if the VCT loses its approval within this period as detailed in paragraph 2.3 on page 45.
Dividend relief ceases to be available once the Qualifying Investor ceases to be beneficially entitled to the dividend or if the VCT loses its approval within this period as detailed on page 45.
2.1.5 Linked sales
If an Investor subscribes for shares (except for shares issued under DRIS) in a VCT within six months before or after selling any shares in that same VCT or in some cases a VCT which merges with that VCT, or if there is a contractual link between the application and the disposal, the tax reliefs in relation to that will apply only to the amount invested less the amount for which shares are sold.
2.2.1 Relief from capital gains tax on disposal of VCT shares
A disposal by a Qualifying Investor of VCT shares will give rise to neither a chargeable gain nor an allowable loss for the purposes of UK capital gains tax. The relief is limited to the disposal of VCT shares acquired within the limit of £200,000 for any tax year.
2.2.2 Purchases in the market
An individual purchaser of existing shares in the market will be entitled to claim relief from capital gains tax on disposal (as described in paragraph 2.2.1 above).
2.3 Loss of VCT approval
For a company to be fully approved as a VCT it must meet the various requirements for full approval as set out on pages 45 and 46.
If a company which has been granted approval as a VCT subsequently fails to comply with the conditions for approval, approval as a VCT may be withdrawn. In these circumstances, relief from income tax on the initial investment is repayable unless loss of approval occurs more than five years after the issue of the relevant VCT shares. In addition, relief ceases to be available on any dividend paid in respect of the profits or gains in any accounting period ending when the VCT status has been lost and any gains on the VCT shares up to the date from which loss of VCT status is treated as taking effect will be exempt from capital gains tax, but gains thereafter will be taxable.
The table below has been prepared for illustrative purposes only and does not form part of the summary of the tax reliefs contained in this section. The table shows how the initial tax reliefs available can reduce the effective cost of an investment of £10,000 in a VCT by a Qualifying Investor subscribing for VCT shares to only £7,000:
| Effective Cost | Tax Relief | |
|---|---|---|
| Investor unable to claim any tax reliefs | £10,000 | Nil |
| Qualifying Investor able to claim tax reliefs | £7,000 | £3,000 |
Income tax relief is only available if the shares are held for the minimum holding period of five years. The limit for obtaining income tax relief in VCTs is £200,000 in each tax year.
The Companies will provide to each Qualifying Investor a certificate which the Qualifying Investor may use to claim income tax relief, either by obtaining from HMRC an adjustment to their tax coding under the PAYE system or by waiting until the end of the tax year and using their tax return to claim relief.
The following is only a summary of the conditions to be satisfied for a company to be treated as a VCT.
The Companies have to satisfy a number of tests to qualify as a VCT. A summary of these tests is set out below:
To obtain Venture Capital Trust status a company must be approved by HMRC as a Venture Capital Trust. A Venture Capital Trust must be approved at all times. A Venture Capital Trust cannot be approved unless the tests detailed below are met throughout the most recent complete accounting period of the Venture Capital Trust and HMRC is satisfied that they will be met in relation to the accounting period of the Venture Capital Trust which is current when the application is made. Where a Venture Capital Trust raises further funds, it is given a grace period to invest those funds before the funds become subject to such tests. To maintain approval, the conditions summarised below must continue to be satisfied throughout the life of the Venture Capital Trust:
(a) the Venture Capital Trust's income must have been derived wholly or mainly from shares and securities;
A Qualifying Investment comprises shares or securities first issued to the Venture Capital Trust (including loans with a five year or greater maturity period but excluding guaranteed loans and securities) by a company satisfying the conditions set out in Chapters 3 and 4 of Part 6 of ITA 2007. The conditions are detailed, but include that the company must be a Qualifying Company (as defined below), have gross assets not exceeding £15 million immediately prior to the investment and £16 million immediately thereafter, apply the funds raised for the purposes of a qualifying trade within certain time limits, have fewer than 250 full-time equivalent employees (500 employees in the case of a Knowledge Intensive Company), and must not receive more than £5 million (£10 million for a Knowledge Intensive Company) from Venture Capital Trusts or other Risk Finance State Aid investment sources during the 12 month period which ends on the date of the Venture Capital Trust's investment. Neither the Venture Capital Trust nor any other company may control the investee company. In certain circumstances an investment in a company by a Venture Capital Trust can be split into a part which is a qualifying holding and a part which is a non-qualifying holding.
A Qualifying Company must be unquoted (companies whose shares are traded on AIM or Aquis Stock Exchange are treated as unquoted companies for this purpose), meet a financial health requirement and carry on a qualifying trade. Shares in an unquoted company which subsequently becomes listed may still be regarded as a Qualifying Investment for a further five years following listing, provided all other conditions are met. The definition of a qualifying trade excludes certain activities such as dealing in property, shares or securities and the provision of financial services. The trade must be carried on by, or be intended to be carried on by the Qualifying Company or a subsidiary, which must be at least 90 per cent owned by the parent company at the time of the issue of the shares or securities to the Venture Capital Trust (and at all times thereafter). A company intending to carry on a qualifying trade must begin to trade within two years of the issue of shares or securities to the Venture Capital Trust and continue it thereafter. At least ten per cent of the Venture Capital Trust's total investment in the investee company must be in eligible shares, as described above. The company cannot receive more than £12 million (£20 million if the company is deemed to be a Knowledge Intensive Company) of Risk Finance State Aid investment (including from Venture Capital Trusts) over the company's lifetime. The company's first commercial sale must be no more than seven years (or ten years for a Knowledge Intensive Company) before the Venture Capital Trust's investment or the company has previously raised Risk Finance State Aid investment in that period and is raising funds for the same business activities, or where the company is entering a new product market or geographic market and a turnover test is satisfied. Funds received from an investment by a Venture Capital Trust cannot be used to acquire shares in another company nor another existing business or trade.
A Qualifying Company must have a permanent establishment in the UK, but need not be UK resident, and may have no subsidiaries other than qualifying subsidiaries which must, in most cases, be at least 51 per cent owned.
The Finance Act 2018 placed the following further restrictions on VCTs:
For an investment to be considered as Qualifying Investments for VCT purposes HMRC will use a "principles-based approach" known as the "risk-to-capital condition" and this depends on taking a view as to whether an investment has been structured as for "capital preservation", where an investor's tax relief is likely to provide much of the return;
loans have to be unsecured;
the return on any loans above ten per cent are required to represent a commercial return on the principal; and
with effect from 6 April 2019 the period of disregard for the proceeds on the disposal of a Qualifying Investment was increased from six months to twelve months.
Audited statutory accounts of BSC for the year ended 31 March 2025, in respect of which BSC's auditors, BDO LLP, registered auditor of 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU, a registered member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, made an unqualified report under section 495 of the Act as appropriate, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and these audited statutory accounts did not contain any statements under section 498(2) or (3) of the Act. A copy of these audited statutory accounts is available at www.bscfunds.com.
Audited statutory accounts of BSC2 for the year ended 31 December 2024, in respect of which BSC2's auditors, BDO LLP, registered auditor of 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU, a registered member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, made an unqualified report under section 495 of the Act, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and these audited statutory accounts did not contain any statements under section 498(2) or (3) of the Act. A copy of these audited statutory accounts is available at www.bscfunds.com.
Unaudited interim accounts of BSC2 for the six months ended 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2024 are available at www.bscfunds.com.
These financial statements are prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards and also contain a description of the relevant Company's financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations for each of the above financial years.
Historical financial information relating to each Company on the matters referred to below is included in the published annual report and audited statutory accounts for the years stated above, and in the unaudited interim accounts of BSC2 for the periods shown above, and is incorporated by reference into this document (the pages of those accounts and interim reports that are not referred to below are not relevant to Investors and are not incorporated into and do not form part of this document).
| Audited Statutory Accounts for the |
|
|---|---|
| Year Ended | |
| Nature of information | 31 March 2025 Page No. |
| Financial Highlights in the year | 3 |
| Five Year Summary | 4 |
| The Portfolio | 5 |
| Chairman's Statement | 6 |
| Objectives and Key Policies | 10 |
| Processes and Operations | 11 |
| Key Performance Indicators | 12 |
| Investment Review | 18 |
| Risk Factors | 32 |
| Other Matters | 36 |
| Section 172 Statement | 36 |
| Directors | 38 |
| Directors' Report | 39 |
| Corporate Governance | 43 |
| Directors' Remuneration Report | 52 |
| Directors' Responsibilities Statement | 55 |
| Independent Auditors' Report | 56 |
| Statement of Comprehensive Income | 63 |
| Balance Sheet | 64 |
|---|---|
| Statement of Changes in Equity | 65 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 67 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 68 |
| Related Party Transactions | 91 |
| Nature of information | Audited Statutory Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 Page No. |
Unaudited Interim Report for the 6 Months Ended 30 June 2025 Page No. |
Unaudited Interim Report for the 6 Months Ended 30 June 2024 Page No. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Highlights | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Five Year Summary | 4 | N/A | N/A |
| Financial Summary | N/A | 2 | 2 |
| The Portfolio | 5 | N/A | N/A |
| Chair's Statement | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Objectives and Key Policies | 10 | N/A | N/A |
| Objectives and Strategy | N/A | 6 | 6 |
| Processes and Operations | 11 | N/A | N/A |
| Key Performance Indicators | 12 | N/A | N/A |
| Investment Review | 18 | 7 | 7 |
| Risk Factors | 31 | N/A | N/A |
| Principal Risks and Uncertainties | N/A | 16 | 14 |
| Other Matters | 35 | N/A | N/A |
| Section 172 Statement | 35 | N/A | N/A |
| Directors | 37 | N/A | N/A |
| Directors' Report | 38 | N/A | N/A |
| Corporate Governance | 42 | N/A | N/A |
| Directors' Remuneration Report | 49 | N/A | N/A |
| Directors' Responsibilities Statement | 52 | 17 | 14 |
| Independent Auditors' Report | 53 | N/A | N/A |
| Statement of Comprehensive Income | 60 | 18 | 15 |
| Balance Sheet | 61 | 19 | 16 |
| Statement of Changes in Equity | 62 | 20 | 17 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 64 | 23 | 20 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 65 | 24 | 22 |
| Related Party Transactions | 87 | N/A | N/A |
| Audited Statutory Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
|
|---|---|
| Total Net Assets (£000) | 257,111 |
| Change in Net Asset Value (£000) | 37,511 |
| Net Asset Value per BSC Share (p) | 80.55 |
| Dividends paid per BSC Share (p) | 5.25 |
| Cumulative Dividends paid per BSC Share (p) | 184.15 |
BSC
| Audited Statutory Accounts for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
Unaudited Interim Report for the 6 Months Ended 30 June 2025 |
Unaudited Interim Report for the 6 Months Ended 30 June 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Net Assets (£000) | 160,451 | 182,127 | 162,894 |
| Change in Net Asset Value (£000) | 24,835 | 21,676 | 27,278 |
| Net Asset Value per BSC2 Share (p) | 57.10 | 55.05 | 57.50 |
| Dividends paid per BSC2 Share (p) | 3.00 | 2.50 | 1.50 |
| Cumulative Dividends paid per BSC2 Share (p) | 89.25 | 91.75 | 87.75 |
A description of the changes in the performance of the Companies, both capital and revenue, and changes to their portfolios of investments:
for the financial year ended 31 March 2025 in respect of BSC and 31 December 2024 in respect of BSC2, is set out in the sections headed "Chair(man)'s Statement" and "Investment Review" in the published audited statutory accounts of the relevant Company for these periods; and
for the six months ended 30 June 2025 and 30 June 2024 in respect of BSC2 is set out in the sections headed "Chair's Statement" and "Investment Review" in the unaudited interim reports for these periods.
The investment portfolio table on pages 50 and 51 of this document has been extracted without material adjustment from the first quarter results for the three months ended 30 June 2025 in the case of BSC and from the interim accounts for the six months ended 30 June 2025 in the case of BSC2.
As at 30 June 2025 BSC's unaudited Net Asset Value was 81.35 pence per BSC Share and as at 30 June 2025 BSC2's unaudited Net Asset Value was 55.05 pence per BSC2 Share. Since 30 June 2025, BSC paid an interim dividend of 2.00p per BSC Share on 25 July 2025 and BSC2 has declared a further interim dividend of 1.50p per BSC2 Share, which will be paid on 31 October 2025.
There have been no significant changes in the financial position of BSC since 30 June 2025, the date of the last unaudited published financial information of BSC.
There have been no significant changes in the financial position of BSC2 since 30 June 2025, the date of the last unaudited published financial information of BSC2.
A list of the current investments held by BSC and BSC2 as at the date of this document, the values being as at 30 June 2025 (being the latest published financial information of the Companies), is set out below. Save as set out below, there has been no material change to the Companies investment portfolios since 30 June 2025. All the investments are in portfolio companies incorporated in the UK and none of these portfolio companies are admitted to trading on a regulated market.
| BSC | BSC2 | Combined | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investee company (All in £000) |
Sector | Carrying cost* |
Valuation | Carrying cost* |
Valuation | Carrying cost* |
Valuation |
| Unquoted Investments | |||||||
| Matillion Limited | Data | 1,778 | 21,462 | 1,456 | 18,129 | 3,234 39,591 | |
| Unbiased EC1 Limited | Tech-enabled Services | 5,596 | 14,554 | 3,731 | 9,703 | 9,327 24,257 | |
| Vypr Validation Technologies Limited |
Tech-enabled Services | 5,698 | 10,938 | 3,798 | 7,292 | 9,496 18,230 | |
| Xapien (via Digital Insight Technologies Ltd) |
Application Software | 6,095 | 8,726 | 4,064 | 5,817 | 10,159 14,543 | |
| AutomatePro Limited | Cloud & DevOps | 4,025 | 8,403 | 2,683 | 5,602 | 6,708 14,005 | |
| SharpCloud Software Limited | Data | 4,380 | 8,193 | 2,920 | 5,462 | 7,300 13,655 | |
| Summize Limited | Application Software | 2,550 | 7,871 | 1,700 | 5,247 | 4,250 | 13,118 |
| DrDoctor (via ICNH Ltd) | Application Software | 5,355 | 6,409 | 3,570 | 4,273 | 8,925 10,682 | |
| Workbuzz Analytics Ltd | Application Software | 4,703 | 6,304 | 3,135 | 4,203 | 7,838 10,507 |
| BSC | BSC2 | Combined | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investee company (All in £000) |
Sector | Carrying cost* |
Valuation | Carrying cost* |
Valuation | Carrying cost* |
Valuation |
| Force24 Ltd | Application Software | 4,275 | 6,259 | 2,850 | 4,173 | 7,125 | 10,432 |
| Quality Clouds Limited | Cloud & DevOps | 5,821 | 5,928 | 3,880 | 3,952 | 9,701 | 9,880 |
| Outpost VFX Limited | New Media | 5,750 | 5,645 | 3,833 | 3,763 | 9,583 | 9,408 |
| Elucidat Ltd | Application Software | 4,260 | 5,461 | 2,840 | 3,640 | 7,100 | 9,101 |
| Plandek Limited | Cloud & DevOps | 3,540 | 4,157 | 2,360 | 2,771 | 5,900 | 6,928 |
| Tonkotsu Limited | Retail & Brands | 2,388 | 4,115 | 1,592 | 2,744 | 3,980 | 6,859 |
| Spotless Water Limited | Business Services | 2,183 | 3,025 | 1,456 | 2,016 | 3,639 | 5,041 |
| Fuuse Ltd | Application Software | 3,000 | 3,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| GEEIQ (via Checkpoint | |||||||
| GG Limited) | Data | 2,358 | 2,874 | 1,572 | 1,916 | 3,930 | 4,790 |
| S4Labour | Application Software | 2,400 | 2,400 | 1,600 | 1,600 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Bioerelate Limited | Application Software | 2,310 | 2,328 | 1,540 | 1,552 | 3,850 | 3,880 |
| Largest 20 unquoted | |||||||
| venture capital investments | 78,465 138,052 | 52,580 95,855 131,045 233,907 | |||||
| Other unquoted venture | |||||||
| capital investments | 29,253 | 20,995 | 24,214 | 15,771 | 53,467 36,766 | ||
| Total unquoted venture | |||||||
| capital investments | 107,718 159,047 | 76,794 111,626 184,512 270,673 |
* Carrying cost is original cost less repayments and the cost of part realisations
There has been one new investment and three follow-on investments made by each of the Companies since 30 June 2025 of £5,741,000 in aggregate, in the case of BSC, and £3,827,000 in aggregate, in the case of BSC2.
The sale of the trade and liabilities of Wooshii Limited completed in July 2025. No proceeds were received on exit in line with its minimal carrying value at 30 June 2025.
Brief details are given below of the investments which together represent 78.0 per cent of the combined investment portfolio of the Companies as at 30 June 2025. These investments represent 78.2 per cent of BSC's investment portfolio and 77.7 per cent of BSC2's investment portfolio at that date, and have been extracted from the first quarter results for BSC for the three month period ended 30 June 2025 and the unaudited interim report for the six month period ended 30 June 2025 for BSC2. All of the investments listed are invested in by both Companies.
Financial information is derived from publicly available report and accounts.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 January |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$m | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Cost | £3,234,000 | Revenue | 92.64 | 81.63 |
| Valuation | £39,591,000 | LBITA | (48.06) | (71.89) |
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | Loss before tax | (44.42) | (70.38) |
| Equity held | 5.8% | Retained losses | (190.00) | (146.39) |
| Sector | Data | Net assets | 133.41 | 170.56 |
Matillion is a leading provider of cloud-based data extraction and transformation tools. The company helps businesses interpret their data in the cloud for insight and decision making and is headquartered in Manchester with offices in Denver and Seattle.
| Audited financial information: year ended 30 September |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Cost | £9,327,000 | Revenue | 13.81 | 10.25 | |
| Valuation | £24,257,000 | LBITA | (1.03) | (1.85) | |
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | Loss before tax | (2.28) | (2.74) | |
| Equity held | 31.3% | Retained losses | (5.60) | (4.75) | |
| Sector | Tech-enabled Services | Net assets | 3.38 | 4.20 |
Unbiased is a technology-enabled marketplace that connects consumers to Independent Financial Advisers, Mortgage Brokers and Accountants. The company has a strong, well-established position and brand awareness in the IFA market with a high level of recurring subscription income from the thousands of professionals in their network. The proven UK model is now being launched into the much larger US financial advisor market.
| Audited financial information: | year ended 31 March | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Cost | £9,496,000 | |||
| Valuation | £18,230,000 | |||
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | |||
| Equity held | 37.2% | Retained losses | (4.82) | (4.40) |
| Sector | Tech-enabled Services | Net assets | 6.01 | 1.51 |
Vypr is a cloud-based data validation platform providing industry-leading consumer intelligence for use in all aspects of product development including packaging, pricing and naming.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 December |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Cost | £10,159,000 | |||
| Valuation | £14,543,000 | |||
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | |||
| Equity held | 27.7% | Retained losses | (10.06) | (6.42) |
| Sector | Application Software | Net assets | 5.45 | 1.48 |
Xapien is an online software platform that automates detailed background research on individuals and companies, using proprietary AI and Natural Language Processing models to screen large volumes of structured and unstructured data. It significantly speeds up the time it takes to conduct enhanced due diligence, for customers that include universities, charities, law firms and banks.
| Audited financial information: year ended 30 June |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Cost | £6,708,000 | ||||
| Valuation | £14,005,000 | ||||
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | ||||
| Equity held | 25.1% | Retained losses | (6.84) | (4.26) | |
| Sector | Cloud & DevOps | Net assets | 0.01 | 2.38 |
AutomatePro is a provider of automated testing and documentation tools for enterprise users of ServiceNow workflow automation, enabling new applications and upgrades to be installed efficiently and safely. The company has sales teams in the UK and US, but also sells via a growing number of partners.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 December |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Cost | £7,300,000 | |||
| Valuation | £13,655,000 | |||
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | |||
| Equity held | 31.7% | Retained losses | (3.66) | (3.40) |
| Sector | Data | Net assets | 5.41 | 3.38 |
SharpCloud offers strategic planning software for capital intensive industries such as aviation, construction and manufacturing, providing leaders with the agility required to navigate dynamic environments, fostering transformation, innovation, and efficiency. SharpCloud's software is trusted by global organizations, including Rolls-Royce, Siemens, and Volvo Group.
| Audited financial information: year ended 30 June |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 2023 |
||
| Cost | £4,250,000 | ||
| Valuation | £13,118,000 | ||
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | ||
| Equity held | 20.0% | Retained losses | (7.61) (5.32) |
| Sector | Application Software | Net assets | 3.55 3.19 |
Summize is a provider of contract lifecycle management (CLM) software for enterprise and mid-market customers including Revolut, Fujifilm, Miami Heat and Matillion. The cloud-based product integrates through Microsoft Word, Teams, Slack and DocuSign to automate the creation, negotiation and project management of high volume, low value commercial contracts, which improves efficiency and contract portfolio risk management for corporate in-house legal teams.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 December |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| Cost | £8,925,000 | Revenue | 10.05 | 9.79 | |
| Valuation | £10,682,000 | LBITA | (8.68) | (3.16) | |
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | Loss before tax | (8.43) | (3.17) | |
| Equity held | 11.1% | Retained losses | (11.40) | (3.76) | |
| Sector | Application Software | Net assets (liabilities) | 1.64 | (0.89) |
DrDoctor is a digital patient engagement solution that links patients and clinicians in NHS secondary care trusts (hospitals). DrDoctor's platform gives patients better access to care through patient-led bookings, waitlist management to fill cancelled slots, and digital access to clinicians outside of appointments.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 March |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Cost | £7,838,000 | ||||
| Valuation | £10,507,000 | ||||
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | ||||
| Equity held | 22.7% | Retained losses | (10.07) | (6.33) | |
| Sector | Application Software | Net assets | 2.85 | 2.57 |
Workbuzz is a SaaS-based employee engagement and insights platform that is targeted at deskless and frontline workers. It enables businesses to gather real time employee feedback, track employee wellbeing and make more informed data driven people decisions. The business is UK focused and expanding internationally.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 December |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Cost | £7,125,000 | |||
| Valuation | £10,432,000 | |||
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | |||
| Equity held | 32.8% | Retained losses | (3.75) | (3.02) |
| Sector | Application Software | Net assets | 3.12 | 3.80 |
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 December |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Cost | £9,701,000 | Revenue | 2.83 | 2.16 | |
| Valuation | £9,880,000 | LBITA | (4.17) | (4.59) | |
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | Loss before tax | (4.14) | (4.54) | |
| Equity held | 26.7% | Retained losses | (14.27) | (10.37) | |
| Sector | Cloud & DevOps | Net assets | 1.45 | 1.44 |
Quality Clouds provides a leading SaaS tool for the control and governance of critical SaaS platforms, with a focus on ServiceNow and Salesforce. The company operates from London, Barcelona and the US, with a client list that includes BP, Linde and JP Morgan Chase.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 March |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Cost | £9,583,000 | Revenue | 38.39 | 40.25 |
| Valuation | £9,408,000 | EBITA (LBITA) | 0.72 | (3.01) |
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | Profit (loss) before tax | 0.48 | (4.46) |
| Equity held | 30.2% | Retained losses | (9.49) | (8.96) |
| Sector | New Media | Net assets (liabilities) | 1.19 | (0.69) |
Outpost is a visual effects firm best known for their striking environments, seamless digital makeup and photoreal creatures. The company is headquartered in Bournemouth, with studios in London, Los Angeles, Montreal and Mumbai. An impressive client list includes global streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon and Apple, and major Hollywood studios.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 December |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Cost | £7,100,000 | Revenue | 6.09 | 5.68 | |
| Valuation | £9,101,000 | EBITA (LBITA) | 0.37 | (0.38) | |
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | Loss before tax | (0.12) | (0.86) | |
| Equity held | 25.1% | Retained losses | (3.64) | (3.55) | |
| Sector | Application Software | Net assets | 3.48 | 3.57 |
Elucidat provides a cloud-based e-learning authoring platform which allows its customers to drive down the cost of producing business-critical training.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 December |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| Cost | £5,900,000 | ||||
| Valuation | £6,928,000 | ||||
| Basis of valuation | Revenue Multiple | ||||
| Equity held | 22.6% | Retained losses | (10.47) | (8.34) | |
| Sector | Cloud & DevOps | Net assets | 2.90 | 1.76 |
Plandek is a software platform, in the fast-growing category of Software Engineering Intelligence, and provides endto-end analytics to improve the efficiency of software delivery while also providing enterprise level governance that have been proven to drive productivity.
| Audited financial information: year ended 31 December |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | 2023 | 2022 | |||
| Cost | £3,980,000 | Revenue | 13.78 | 11.86 | |
| Valuation | £6,859,000 | LBITA | (0.16) | (0.66) | |
| Basis of valuation | Earnings Multiple | Loss before tax | (0.21) | (0.71) | |
| Equity held | 30.7% | Retained losses | (4.36) | (4.21) | |
| Sector | Retail & Brands | Net liabilities | 2.00 | 2.15 |
Tonkotsu is a Japanese ramen restaurant group founded in 2012, now operating 18 sites across the UK including London, Brighton, Bristol, and Birmingham. Known for its commitment to quality, Tonkotsu handcrafts its noodles daily and prepares broths and dishes from scratch in a central production kitchen in North London, ensuring consistency and high standards across all locations.
The registered office of the Companies is at 4th Floor, 2 Bond Court, Leeds LS1 2JZ and they can be contacted at www.bscfunds.com or by telephone on 0113 244 1000. The information on the website does not form part of the Prospectus unless that information is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus.
The principal legislation under which the Companies operate and which governs their Shares is the Act.
Each Company will be subject to the continuing obligations of the FCA and the London Stock Exchange with regard to the issue of securities for cash and to the provisions of section 561 of the Act (which confers on shareholders rights of pre-emption in respect of the allotment of equity securities which are, or are to be, paid up in cash) except to the extent disapplied by the Companies in general meeting.
4.1 Memorandum of Association
The memorandum of association of the Companies provide that each Company's principal object is to carry on the business of a Venture Capital Trust. The objects of the Companies are set out in full in clause 4 of their memorandum of association which are available for inspection at the address specified in paragraph 11.1 below.
4.2 Articles of Association
The Articles of each Company contain provisions, inter alia, to the following effect:
4.2.1 Voting rights
Subject to any disenfranchisement as provided in paragraph 4.2.4 below and subject to any special terms as to voting on which any shares may be issued, on a show of hands or by proxy every Member present in person (or, being a corporation, present by a duly authorised representative) shall have one vote and on a poll every Member present in person or by proxy shall have one vote for every share of which he is the holder.
4.2.2 Transfer of Shares
The Shares are in registered form and are freely transferable. All transfers of shares in certified form must be effected by a transfer in writing in any usual form or any other form approved by the Directors. The instrument of transfer of a share shall be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and, in the case of a partly paid share, by or on behalf of the transferee. All transfers of shares which are in uncertificated form may be effected by means of a relevant system. The Directors may refuse to register any transfer of a partly paid share, provided that such refusal does not prevent dealings taking place on an open and proper basis, and may also refuse to register any instrument of transfer unless:
The Company may in a general meeting, by ordinary resolution, declare dividends in accordance with the respective rights of the members, provided that no dividend shall be payable in excess of the amount recommended by the Directors. The Directors may pay such interim dividends as appear to them to be justified. No dividends or other monies payable in respect of a share shall bear interest as against the Company. There are no fixed dates on which entitlement to dividend arises. The Directors may with the sanction of an ordinary resolution of the Company offer the shareholders the right to elect to receive shares credited as fully paid instead of cash in respect of the whole or part of a dividend.
All dividends unclaimed for a period of 12 years after being declared or becoming due for payment shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company.
4.2.4 Disclosure of interests in Shares
If any member or other person appearing to be interested in shares of the Company is in default in supplying within 14 days after the date of service of a notice requiring such a member or other person to supply the Company in writing all or any such information as is referred to in Section 793 of the Act, the Directors may, for such period as the default shall continue, impose restrictions upon the relevant shares.
The restrictions available are the suspension of voting or other rights conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company in respect of the relevant shares and, additionally, in the case of a shareholder representing at least 0.25 per cent by nominal value of any class of shares of the Company then in issue, the withholding of payment of any dividends on, and the restriction of transfer of, the relevant shares.
On a winding-up any surplus assets will be divided amongst the holders of the shares according to the respective number of shares held by them and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, subject to the rights of any shares which may be issued with special rights or privileges. The Articles provide that the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution and any other sanction required by the Act, divide amongst the members in specie the whole or any part of the assets of the Company in such manner as he may determine.
Without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing shares, any share may be issued with such rights or restrictions as the Company may by ordinary resolution determine or, in the absence of such determination, as the Directors may determine. Subject to the Act, the Company may issue shares which are, or at the option of the Company or the holder are liable, to be redeemed.
The Company may by ordinary resolution increase its share capital, consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger amount, subdivide its shares or any of them into shares of smaller amount or cancel or reduce the nominal value of any shares which have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount so cancelled or the amount of the reduction.
Subject to the Act, the Company may by special resolution reduce its share capital, any capital redemption reserve and any share premium account, and may also, subject to the Act, purchase its own shares.
Whenever the capital of the Company is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class may (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of that class) be varied or abrogated with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of such holders.
A Director who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or arrangement with the Company shall, at a meeting of the Directors declare, in accordance with the Act, the nature of his interest.
Provided that he has declared his interest in accordance with the paragraph above, a Director may be a party to or otherwise interested in any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is interested and may be a Director or other officer or otherwise interested in any body corporate promoted by the Company or in which the Company is otherwise interested. No Director so interested shall be accountable to the Company, by reason of his being a Director, for any benefit which he derives from such office or interest or any such transaction or arrangement.
A Director shall not vote at a meeting of the Directors in respect of a matter in which he has any material interest otherwise than by virtue of his interest in shares, debentures or other securities of, or otherwise in or through, the Company unless his interest arises only because the case falls within one or more of the specified paragraphs in the Articles.
Where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment of two or more Directors to offices or employment with the Company or any company in which the Company is interested the proposals may be divided and considered in relation to each Director separately and (if not otherwise precluded from voting) each of the Directors concerned shall be entitled to vote and be counted in the quorum in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment.
The ordinary remuneration of the Directors (other than an executive Director appointed under the Articles) shall be such amount as the Directors shall from time to time determine (provided that unless otherwise approved by the Company in general meeting the aggregate of the ordinary remuneration of the Directors of BSC shall not exceed £175,000 per year and the ordinary remuneration of the Directors of BSC2 shall not exceed £165,000 per year) to be divided among them in such proportions and manner as the Directors may determine. The Directors of the Companies shall also be paid by the Company all travelling, hotel and other expenses they may incur in attending meetings of the Directors or general meetings or otherwise in connection with the discharge of their duties.
Any Director who, by request of the Directors, performs special services or goes or resides abroad for any purposes of the Company may be paid such extra remuneration as the Directors may determine.
The emoluments and benefits of any executive Director for his services as such shall be determined by the Directors and may be of any description, including membership of any pension or life assurance scheme for employees or their dependants or, apart from membership of any such scheme, the payment of a pension or other benefits to him or his dependants on or after retirement or death.
At each annual general meeting of the Company one-third of the Directors who are subject to retirement by rotation, or if their number is not three or a multiple of three, then the number nearest to but not exceeding one-third, or if their number is less than three then one of them, shall retire from office, provided that no Director shall be required to retire by rotation earlier than the third annual general meeting after the meeting at which he was elected or last elected. A Director retiring at a meeting shall retain office until the dissolution of that meeting and shall be eligible for re-election.
It is the policy of the Boards that each Director's appointment will run for a term of one year or until the following annual general meeting, at which he or she may seek re-election, but always subject to the agreement of the Board, and the performance evaluation carried out each year, that it is appropriate for the director to seek a further term.
A Director shall be capable of being appointed or reappointed a Director despite having attained the age of 70 or any other age and shall not be required to retire by reason of his or her having attained any particular age.
The Directors may exercise all powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and uncalled capital.
The Directors shall restrict the borrowings of the Company and, by the exercise of the Company's voting and other rights or powers of control over its subsidiary undertakings (if any), secure that they restrict their borrowings, so that the aggregate amount at any time outstanding in respect of money borrowed by the group, being the Company and its subsidiary undertakings for the time being (excluding intra-group borrowings), shall not without the previous sanction of an ordinary resolution of the Company exceed a sum equal to the aggregate of the amount paid up or credited as paid up on the allotted or issued share capital and the amount standing to the credit of the consolidated revenue reserves of the group as shown by the latest audited consolidated balance sheet of the group adjusted as specified in the Articles. Prior to the publication of an audited balance sheet of the Company such aggregate amount shall be limited to 90 per cent of the amount paid up or credited as paid up (whether in respect of the nominal value or premium) on the allotted or issued share capital of the Company.
At any time when the Company has given notice in the prescribed form (which has not been revoked) to the Registrar of Companies of its intention to carry on business as an investment company ("a Relevant Period"), distribution of the Company's capital profits (within the meaning of Section 833(2) of the Act) shall be prohibited. The Board shall establish a reserve to be called the capital reserve. During a Relevant Period, all surpluses arising from the realisation or revaluation of investments and all other monies realised on or derived from the realisation, payment off of or other dealing with any capital asset in excess of the book value thereof and all other monies which are considered by the Board to be in the nature of accretion to capital shall be credited to the capital reserve. Subject to the Act, the Board may determine whether any amount received by the Company is to be dealt with as income or capital or partly one way and partly the other. During a Relevant Period, any loss realised on the realisation or payment off of or other dealing with any investments or other capital assets and, subject to the Act, any expenses, loss or liability (or provision therefor) which the Board considers to relate to a capital item or which the Board otherwise considers appropriate to be debited to the capital reserve shall be carried to the debit of the capital reserve. During a Relevant Period, all sums carried and standing to the credit of the capital reserve may be applied for any of the purposes for which sums standing to any revenue reserve are applicable except and provided that during a Relevant Period no part of the capital reserve or any other money in the nature of accretion to capital shall be transferred to the revenue reserves of the Company or be regarded or treated as profits of the Company available for distribution (as defined by Section 829(1) of the Act) or applied in paying dividends on any shares in the Company otherwise than by way of redemption or purchase by the Company of its own shares. In periods other than a Relevant Period any amount standing to the credit of the capital reserve may be transferred to the revenue reserves of the Company or be regarded or treated as profits of the Company available for distribution or be applied in paying dividends on any shares in the Company.
BSC's Articles require that at the annual general meeting of BSC held after the later of i) 31 March 2020 and ii) the fifth anniversary of the last allotment of shares (from time to time) in BSC and, if BSC has not then been wound-up or reconstructed or re-organised, at each fifth annual general meeting of BSC thereafter, the Directors shall procure that an ordinary resolution will be proposed to the effect that BSC shall continue as a Venture Capital Trust. BSC2's Articles require that at the annual general meeting of BSC2 held after the later of i) 31 December 2020 and ii) the fifth anniversary of the last allotment of shares (from time to time) in BSC2 and, if BSC2 has not then been wound-up or reconstructed or re-organised, at each fifth annual general meeting of BSC2 thereafter, the Directors shall procure that an ordinary resolution will be proposed to the effect that BSC2 shall continue as a Venture Capital Trust.
If any such further resolutions are not passed, the Directors shall draw up proposals for the voluntary liquidation, reconstruction or other reorganisation of the Company for submission to the members of the Company at a general meeting to be convened by the Directors on a date, in the case of BSC not more than six months after such annual general meeting, and in the case of BSC2 not more than four months after such annual general meeting. Implementation of the proposals will require the approval of members by special resolution.
Annual general meetings shall be held at such time and place as may be determined by the Directors and not more than 15 months shall elapse between the date of one annual general meeting and that of the next. The Directors may, whenever they think fit, convene a general meeting of the Company, and general meetings shall also be convened on the requisition by members pursuant to the provisions of the Statutes. Any meeting convened under the Articles by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which meetings are to be convened by the Directors. General meetings of the Company other than annual general meetings shall be called general meetings. The Articles allow meetings of the Companies to take place, if necessary, by electronic means and at more than one location.
Annual general meetings shall be called on not less than 21 days notice in writing and general meetings shall be called on not less than 14 days notice in writing. The notice shall be exclusive of the day on which it is given and of the day of the meeting and shall specify the place, the day and hour of meeting, and in case of special business the general nature of such business. The notice shall be given to the members, other than those who, under the provisions of the Articles or the terms of issue of the shares they hold, are not entitled to receive notice from the Company, to the Directors and to the auditors. A notice calling an annual general meeting shall specify the meeting as such and the notice convening a meeting to pass a special resolution shall specify the intention to propose the resolution as such.
In every notice calling a meeting of the Company or any class of the members of the Company there shall appear with reasonable prominence a statement that a member entitled to attend and vote is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend, to speak and vote instead of him.
If within 15 minutes from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, (or such longer time not exceeding one hour as the Chair of the meeting may decide to wait) the meeting, if convened by or upon the requisition of members, shall be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same place and time one week later or to such day and such time (being not more than 28 days hence) and at such place as the Directors shall determine. At any such adjourned meeting if a quorum is not present within 15 minutes from the time appointed for the meeting the member or members present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall be a quorum and have power to decide upon all matters which could properly have been disposed of at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. If the meeting is adjourned for 14 days or more the Company shall give not less than five days' notice thereof by advertisement in one national newspaper, but no other notice shall be required.
The Chair may, with the consent of the meeting (and shall, if so directed by the meeting) adjourn any meeting from time to time and from place to place. No business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished and which might properly have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place. When a meeting is adjourned for 30 days or more (otherwise than due to the absence of a quorum) or without a time and place for the adjourned meeting being fixed at least seven clear days' notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in the same manner as in the case of the original meeting.
5.1 DTR 5 of the DTRs requires a Shareholder to notify the relevant Company of the percentage of its shares they hold if such percentage reaches, exceeds or falls below 3 per cent or subsequent 1 per cent thresholds. The relevant Company will make such information public through a Regulatory Information Service. Neither Company is aware of any person who, as at the date of this document and immediately following the issue of the New Shares, (assuming full subscription under the Offers, including the overallotment facility) is or will, directly or indirectly, be interested in 3 per cent or more of the issued share capital of either Company. Further, as at the date of this document and immediately following the issue of such New Shares, (assuming gross proceeds of £85 million, including the over-allotment facility, are raised under the Offers at an Offer Price of 81.804 pence for BSC and 55.206 pence for BSC2 and that New Shares are allocated 60 per cent to BSC and 40 per cent to BSC2), neither Company is aware of any person who, directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, exercises or could exercise control over it.
5.2 The interests of the Directors and their immediate families in the voting share capital of the Company of which they are a director, all of which are beneficial, as at the date of this document, and of connected persons, are set out below together with the percentages which such interests represent of the Ordinary Shares in issue at the date of this document:
| Name | Number of Shares |
% of issued voting share capital |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| BSC | Rupert Cook | 208,746 | 0.06 |
| Adam Bastin | 20,696 | 0.01 | |
| Jonathan Cartwright | 26,494 | 0.01 | |
| Purvi Sapre | 7,028 | 0.00 | |
| BSC2 | Barbara Anderson | 619,754 | 0.19 |
| Arif Ahmed | 10,449 | 0.00 | |
| Roger McDowell | 926,126 | 0.28 |
5.3 The interests of the Directors and their immediate families in the voting share capital of the Company of which they are a director, all of which are beneficial, and of connected persons, following the Offers (assuming gross proceeds of £85 million, including the over-allotment facility, are raised under the Offers at an Indicative Offer Price for BSC of 81.804 pence and 55.206 pence for BSC2 and that Offer Shares are allocated 60 per cent to BSC and 40 per cent to BSC2) will be as follows:
| Name | Number of Shares |
% of issued voting share capital |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| BSC | Rupert Cook | 208,746 | 0.05 |
| Adam Bastin | 20,696 | 0.00 | |
| Jonathan Cartwright | 26,494 | 0.01 | |
| Purvi Sapre | 7,028 | 0.00 | |
| BSC2 | Barbara Anderson | 619,754 | 0.16 |
| Arif Ahmed | 10,449 | 0.00 | |
| Roger McDowell | 1,016,695 | 0.26 |
Save as disclosed in paragraph 9.15 below, there are no potential conflicts of interest between the duties of any BSC Director or the Manager to BSC and their private interests and or other duties.
Save as disclosed in paragraph 9.15 below, there are no potential conflicts of interest between the duties of any BSC2 Director or the Manager to BSC2 and their private interests and or other duties.
Save as disclosed in paragraphs 6 and 9.15 below, no Director, nor any member of the administrative, management, supervisory body or senior management of the Companies, nor the Manager has an interest in any transaction effected by either Company which is or was unusual in its nature or conditions or significant to the business of that Company.
5.12 It is currently anticipated that the aggregate of fees paid or to be paid to the Directors by BSC for the twelve month period ending 31 March 2026 will not exceed £147,000 and by BSC2 for the twelve month period ending 31 December 2025 will not exceed £117,000. Fees paid to the Directors of BSC for the year ended 31 March 2025 and to the Directors of BSC2 for the year ended 31 December 2024 were as follows:
| Name | Fees paid (£) |
|
|---|---|---|
| BSC | Rupert Cook | 45,750 |
| Adam Bastin | 32,354 | |
| Jonathan Cartwright | 32,354 | |
| Purvi Sapre | 28,604 | |
| BSC2 | Barbara Anderson | 39,225 |
| Arif Ahmed * | 15,292 | |
| Roger McDowell | 29,050 |
* Arif Ahmed was appointed a Director of BSC2 on 13 June 2024
| Current directorships / partnerships | Former directorship / partnerships | |
|---|---|---|
| Rupert Cook | British Smaller Companies VCT plc | Netacea Limited |
| MKRC Ventures LP (Partner) | Netacea Group Limited | |
| Rupert Cook Ventures Limited | Tobit9 Ltd (dissolved) | |
| Red Penguin Ventures Ltd | Immersive Labs Ltd | |
| Censornet Limited (in administration) | Immersive Labs Holdings Limited | |
| Overe Corp | UK Newco Ltd (dissolved) | |
| Adam Bastin | British Smaller Companies VCT plc | DTL Data Science GP Limited |
| Knightly Ventures Limited | DTL (Nominee) Limited | |
| Museum of Cambridge | Geomerics Limited (dissolved) | |
| Pragmatic Semiconductor Limited | ||
| Accelerator Advisory Limited | ||
| SeeChange Technologies Limited | ||
| Jonathan Cartwright British Smaller Companies VCT plc | Tennants Consolidated Limited | |
| Caledonia Investments plc Pension Scheme (Trustee) |
Mobeus Income & Growth 4 VCT plc (in voluntary liquidation) |
|
| CT UK Capital and Income Investment Trust plc |
| Purvi Sapre | British Smaller Companies VCT plc EECo Smithfield Limited SEEIT Holdco Limited |
Greenland Investment Partners Limited Combined Heat and Power Investments Limited |
|---|---|---|
| 80 Copenhagen Street Limited | EECo Biomass No.1 Limited | |
| Seabright Enterprise Limited | EECo Data Centres No.1 Limited | |
| S2S Health Limited | EECo Kingscourt Limited | |
| EVN Group Limited | EECo Wilton No.1 Limited | |
| SDCL Edge Sponsor Participation LLP | Energy Efficient Global UK Project Limited |
|
| SDCL Solar Edge Limited | ||
| SEEIT Asia Limited | ||
| SEEIT Magma Limited | ||
| SEEIT Bloc Limited | ||
| SEEIT UK 1 Limited | ||
| SEEIT CPP Limited | ||
| SEEIT Europe 2 Limited | ||
| Zood Infrastructure Limited | ||
| SEEIT US Two Limited | ||
| SEEIT US Limited | ||
| SEEIT Europe Limited | ||
| Greenland Investment Partners Limited |
| Current directorships / partnerships | Former directorship / partnerships | |
|---|---|---|
| Barbara Anderson | British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc | ReLondon |
| Smart DCC Limited | The London Green Fund | |
| Sovereign Housing Association | Altido Limited | |
| Saffron Building Society | London Youth Conservatoire | |
| 28 Bolton Gardens Management Company Limited |
Crocus Home Loans Limited | |
| British Business Bank | ||
| Energy Saving Trust | ||
| EST (Holdings) Limited | ||
| Arif Ahmed | British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc | Tengri Group (Holdings) Limited |
| Greystoke Advisory Services Limited | (dissolved) | |
| Allimentary Innervations Limited | Tengri (Bidco) Limited (dissolved) | |
| Functional Productions Limited | Athera Healthcare Limited | |
| Functional Gut Diagnostics Limited | Athera Healthcare Group Limited | |
| Functional Gut Bidco Limited | Net Solving Limited | |
| New Media Education Limited | ||
| PHL Group Holdco Limited | ||
| Roger McDowell | British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc | D4T4 Solutions plc |
| Hargreaves Services plc | Disperse Limited | |
| Proteome Sciences plc | Dovehoco 201 Limited | |
| Avingtrans plc | Augean Limited | |
| Tribal Group plc | Swallowfield plc | |
| Flowtech Fluidpower plc | ThinkSmart plc | |
| Koheilan Limited (dissolved, registered in Malta) |
||
| Brand Architekts Group plc |
* prior to being dissolved this company was in voluntary liquidation
None of the service providers to BSC2 have any material potential conflicts of interest as between their duty to BSC2 and duties owed by them to third parties and their other interests.
5.17 There are no amounts set aside or accrued by either Company to provide pension, retirement or similar benefits to the Directors or directors of the Manager.
The following are the summaries of the principal contents of contracts, not being contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, which have been entered into by the Companies within two years immediately preceding the publication of this document or which contain any provisions under which the Companies have any obligation or entitlement which is material to them as at the date of this document:
agent of the Companies, to use its reasonable endeavours to procure applicants under the offers for subscription that were launched by the Companies on 20 September 2023 (the "2023 Offers") and Howard Kennedy agreed to act as sponsor to the 2023 Offers. Pursuant to the 2023 Offer Agreement an initial application fee of 3 per cent of the application amount, or 3.5 per cent for applications received from applicants who did not invest their money through an Intermediary/Financial Adviser and who invested directly into the Companies, was paid by the relevant Company to the Manager, in consideration for which the Manager agreed to meet the costs associated with the 2023 Offers, save for commissions payable to execution only brokers, on behalf of the Companies. As is usual in contracts of this type, the Manager agreed to indemnify the Companies against the costs of the 2023 Offers (excluding trail commission) exceeding 3 per cent of the application amount. Under the 2023 Offer Agreement, which could be terminated by the Companies, the Directors and the Manager in certain circumstances, warranties were given by the Companies, the Directors and the Manager to the other parties, subject to certain limitations. The warranties were in the usual form for a contract of this type.
The Depositary is a limited company registered in England and Wales with registration number 06043483, whose registered office is at 4th Floor, Stanhope House, 47 Park Lane, London W1K 1PR. The Depositary is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the conduct of its regulated activity. The Depositary is permitted to act as depositary of an alternative investment fund in accordance with FUND 3.11.10.
Under the Depositary Agreement, the Companies and the Manager gave certain warranties and an indemnity to the Depositary, and the Depositary gave certain warranties to the Company and the Manager, which were in usual form for a contract of this type. The Depositary Agreement can be voluntarily terminated by the Depositary on three months' prior written notice, or six months' prior written notice in the event that the Companies require and have not appointed an alternative depositary, and by the Company or the Manager on one month's prior written notice, subject, in the case of a termination by the Depositary, to a new depositary being appointed, or earlier in certain circumstances. The fees payable to the Depositary for the Services will depend on the level of the Services to be provided and will be set out in a schedule to the Depositary Agreement
6.6 An administration and investment advisory agreement dated 28 February 1996 between BSC and YFM Private Equity (the "IAA"), as varied by deeds of variation dated 1 July 2009, 16 November 2012, 17 October 2014, 24 August 2015 and 18 November 2019, pursuant to which YFM Private Equity agreed to provide administrative, company secretarial and investment advisory services to BSC in relation to BSC's qualifying portfolio. The IAA took effect on 4 April 1996 for an initial period of three years and thereafter is terminable by either party on not less than 12 months' notice or, inter alia, on the others' breach or insolvency.
Pursuant to the IAA, the Manager receives an annual fee of 1.0 per cent on all surplus cash, defined as all cash above £7.5 million. The annual fee on all other assets is 2.0 per cent per annum. This is calculated half yearly at 31 March and 30 September. The annual fee for the twelve months to 31 March 2025 was £3,773,000, equal to 1.56 per cent of the average NAV. BSC and the Manager have agreed in principle to amend the IAA in respect of surplus cash so that it comprises cash above £20 million and to increase the fee payable to 1.25 per cent, and in respect of which BSC will comply with its obligations under the UK Listing Rules relating to related parties as applicable to VCTs.
The Manager receives an annual accounting and secretarial fee, index linked to RPI, which is currently £92,000. The annual fee for the twelve months to 31 March 2025 was £89,000, equal to 0.04 per cent of the average NAV.
Under the IAA the Manager is entitled to receive advisory fees in connection with new investments which are paid by an investee company. There is an aggregate annual cap applied to these fees for new investments of 3 per cent and for further investments of 2 per cent, with any fees above this cap being payable to BSC. Where expenses have been incurred and the investment does not proceed, the Manager pays any abort fees. The Manager also receives monitoring or non-executive director fees from unquoted portfolio companies. From 2014 these fees have been capped at a maximum of £40,000 per annum for an unquoted company. BSC and the Manager have agreed in principle to amend the IAA to increase this maximum to £60,000 per annum, to be increased each year in line with the consumer price index.
The FCA classifies BSC as an alternative investment fund ("AIF"); BSC must have a single alternative investment fund manager (an "AIFM") responsible for providing, at a minimum, portfolio management and risk management services, to one or more AIFs, with this being its regular business (irrespective of where the AIFs are located or what legal form the AIF takes). The Manager is BSC's AIFM.
6.9 YFM Private Equity has acted as Manager and performed administrative and secretarial duties for BSC2 under an agreement dated 28 November 2000, superseded by an agreement dated 31 October 2005 and as varied by agreements dated 8 December 2010, 26 October 2011, 16 November 2012, 17 October 2014, 7 August 2015 and 13 November 2019 (the "IAA"). This agreement may be terminated by not less than twelve months' notice given by either party at any time.
The annual fee payable to the Manager is 1.0 per cent on all surplus cash, defined as all cash above £5 million. The annual fee on all other assets is 2.0 per cent per annum. This is calculated half yearly at 30 June and 31 December. The annual fee for the twelve months ending 31 December 2024 was £2,496,000, equal to 1.65 per cent of the average NAV. BSC2 and the Manager have agreed in principle to amend the IAA in respect of surplus cash so that it comprises cash above £20 million and to increase the fee payable to 1.25 per cent, and in respect of which BSC2 will comply with its obligations under the UK Listing Rules relating to related parties as applicable to VCTs.
The Manager also provides and procures the provision of secretarial and administration services to BSC2. The Manager receives an annual accounting and secretarial fee, index linked to RPI, which is currently £93,000. The annual fee for the twelve months to 31 December 2024 was £90,000, equal to 0.06 per cent of the average NAV.
Under the IAA the Manager is entitled to receive advisory fees in connection with new investments which are paid by an investee company. There is an aggregate annual cap applied to these fees for new investments of 3 per cent and for further investments of 2 per cent, with any fees above this cap being payable to BSC2. Where expenses have been incurred and the investment does not proceed, the Manager pays any abort fees. The Manager also receives monitoring or non-executive director fees from unquoted portfolio companies. From 2014 these fees have been capped at a maximum of £40,000 per annum for an unquoted company. BSC2 and the Manager have agreed in principle to amend the IAA to increase this maximum to £60,000 per annum, to be increased each year in line with the consumer price index.
The FCA classifies BSC2 as an alternative investment fund ("AIF"); BSC2 must have a single alternative investment fund manager (an "AIFM") responsible for providing, at a minimum, portfolio management and risk management services, to one or more AIFs, with this being its regular business (irrespective of where the AIFs are located or what legal form the AIF takes). The Manager is BSC2's AIFM.
The Directors are cognisant of the Manager's obligations to comply with the FCA's consumer duty "Consumer Duty") rules and principles which came into force in July 2023. Firms subject to Consumer Duty must ensure that they are acting to deliver good outcomes and that this is reflected in their strategy, leadership and governance policies. The Companies are not directly captured by Consumer Duty; however, the Directors receive updates from the Manager on how it is meeting its obligations.
The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the "City Code") applies to all takeover and merger transactions in relation to the Companies, and operates principally to ensure that shareholders are treated fairly and are not denied an opportunity to decide on the merits of a takeover, and that shareholders of the same class are afforded equivalent treatment. The City Code provides an orderly framework within which takeovers are conducted and the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers (the "Panel") has now been placed on a statutory footing. The Takeovers Directive was implemented in the UK in May 2006 and, since 6 April 2007, has effect through the Act.
The City Code is based upon a number of General Principles which are essentially statements of standards of commercial behaviour. General Principle One states that all holders of securities of an offeree company of the same class must be afforded equivalent treatment and, if a person acquires control of a company, the other holders of securities must be protected. This is reinforced by Rule 9 of the City Code which requires a person, together with persons acting in concert with him, who acquires shares carrying voting rights which amount to 30 per cent or more of the voting rights to make a general offer. "Voting rights" for these purposes means all the voting rights attributable to the share capital of a company which are currently exercisable at a general meeting. A general offer will also be required where a person who, together with persons acting in concert with him, holds not less than 30 per cent but not more than 50 per cent of the voting rights, acquires additional shares which increase his percentage of the voting rights. Unless the Panel consents, the offer must be made to all other shareholders, be in cash (or have a cash alternative) and cannot be conditional on anything other than the securing of acceptances which will result in the offeror and persons acting in concert with him holding shares carrying more than 50 per cent of the voting rights.
There are no current mandatory takeover bids in relation to the Companies.
Section 979 of the Act provides that if, within certain time limits, an offer is made for the share capital of either Company, the offeror is entitled to acquire compulsorily any remaining shares if it has, by virtue of acceptances of the offer, acquired or unconditionally contracted to acquire not less than 90 per cent in value of the shares to which the offer relates and, in a case where the shares to which the offer relates are voting shares, not less than 90 per cent of the voting rights carried by those shares. The offeror would effect the compulsory acquisition by sending a notice to outstanding shareholders telling them that it will compulsorily acquire their shares and then, six weeks from the date of the notice, pay the consideration for the shares to the relevant company to hold on trust for the outstanding shareholders. The consideration offered to shareholders whose shares are compulsorily acquired under the Act must, in general, be the same as the consideration available under the takeover offer.
8.3 Sell out
Section 983 of the Act permits a minority shareholder to require an offeror to acquire its shares if the offeror has acquired or contracted to acquire shares in a company which amount to not less than 90 per cent in value of all the voting shares in the company and carry not less than 90 per cent of the voting rights. Certain time limits apply to this entitlement. If a shareholder exercises its rights under these provisions, the offeror is bound to acquire those shares on the terms of the offer or on such other terms as may be agreed.
9.1 There have been no governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings (including any such proceedings which are pending or threatened of which BSC is aware) during the previous 12 months which may have, or have had in the recent past, a significant effect on BSC's financial position or profitability.
There have been no governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings (including any such proceedings which are pending or threatened of which BSC2 is aware) during the previous 12 months which may have, or have had in the recent past, a significant effect on BSC2's financial position or profitability.
its knowledge the information contained in those parts of the Prospectus is in accordance with the facts and those parts of the Prospectus make no omission likely to affect their import.
| Called up Equity Share Capital Legal Reserve (share premium account) Other Reserves* |
Total | 234,317 |
|---|---|---|
| 63,434 | ||
| 130,955 | ||
| 39,018 | ||
| Shareholders' Equity | £000's |
* excludes revenue reserve and investment holdings gains and losses reserve.
There has been no material change to BSC's capitalisation since 30 June 2025.
The capitalisation of BSC2 as at 30 June 2025 was as follows:
| Shareholders' Equity | £000's |
|---|---|
| Called up Equity Share Capital | 36 |
| Legal Reserve (share premium account) | 29,444 |
| Other Reserves* | 116,117 |
| Total | 145,597 |
* excludes revenue reserve and investment holdings gains and losses reserve.
There has been no material change to BSC2's capitalisation since 30 June 2025.
Save for the fees paid to the Directors as detailed in paragraph 5.9 above, the fees paid under the management, administration and incentive arrangements detailed in paragraphs 6.9 and 6.10 above, the offer agreement at paragraph 6.1 above and the irrevocable undertaking to subscribe for BSC2 Shares under the Offers that has been given by Roger McDowell, a Director of BSC2, there were no other related party transactions or fees paid by BSC2 to a related party during the period from 30 June 2025, the date of its last published unaudited financial information, to the date of this document.
The existing issued BSC2 Shares will represent 84.2 per cent of the enlarged ordinary share capital of BSC2 immediately following the Offers, assuming the Offers are fully subscribed in both Companies, including the over-allotment facility, with subscriptions split as to 60 per cent/40 per cent as between BSC and BSC2 respectively at an Offer Price for BSC2 of 55.206p, and on that basis BSC2 shareholders who do not subscribe under the Offers will, therefore, be diluted by 15.8 per cent.
9.23 The Companies and the Directors consent to the use of the Prospectus by financial Intermediaries, and accept responsibility for the content of the Prospectus, with respect to subsequent resale or final placement of securities by financial Intermediaries, from the date of the Prospectus until the close of the Offers. The deadline for receipt of Application Forms and cleared funds is 27 March 2026, and the Offers are expected to close on or before 2 April 2026. There are no conditions attaching to this consent. Financial Intermediaries may use the Prospectus only in the UK.
9.24 In the event of an offer being made by a financial Intermediary, the financial Intermediary will provide information to investors on the terms and conditions of the offer at the time that the offer is made. Any financial Intermediary using the Prospectus has to state on its website that it uses the Prospectus in accordance with the consent set out at paragraph 9.23 above.
11.1 The Companies' memorandum and Articles and the Prospectus are available for inspection at the registered office of the Companies at 4th Floor, 2 Bond Court, Leeds LS1 2JZ during normal business hours on any weekday (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays excepted) from the date of this document until closing of the Offers and may also be inspected on the Companies' website address at www.bscfunds.com.
25 September 2025
In this document the following words and expressions have the following meanings:
| "Act" | the Companies Act 2006, as amended from time to time; |
|---|---|
| "Admission" | the admission of the New Shares to a listing on the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities; |
| "Adviser Charge(s)" | the fee(s) payable to an Intermediary, agreed with the Investor for the provision of a personal recommendation or related services in relation to an investment in New Shares, and detailed on the Application Form; |
| "AIM" | the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange; |
| "Applicant(s)" | an Investor(s) who applies to subscribe for New Shares; |
| "Application" | an application for New Shares; |
| "Application Amount" | the total amount remitted to the Companies under the Offers, including any Facilitated Fee; |
| "Application Form" | form of application for New Shares, which can be found on the Companies' website; |
| "Articles" | the articles of association of the relevant Company (as amended from time to time); |
| "BSC" | British Smaller Companies VCT plc; |
| "BSC2" | British Smaller Companies VCT2 plc; |
| "Business Day" | a day (excluding Saturday and Sunday and public holidays in England and Wales) when the banks are generally open for business in London; |
| "CA 1985" | the Companies Act 1985, as amended from time to time; |
| "City" or "The City Partnership" or "Receiving Agent" or "Registrar" |
The City Partnership (UK) Limited; |
| "Companies" | BSC and BSC2 and each a "Company"; |
| "CREST" | relevant system (as defined in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755)) for the paperless settlement of transfers and the holding of shares in uncertificated form which is administered by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited (registered number 2878738); |
| "Dealings" | buying, selling, subscribing for or underwriting of securities in the Companies or offering or agreeing to do so, either as principal or agent; |
| "Directors" or "Boards" | the directors of the relevant Company at the date of this document; |
| "Dividend Re-investment Scheme(s)" or "DRIS" or "Schemes" |
the respective dividend re-investment scheme established for each Company, the terms and conditions of which are set out in Part 9 of this document (as amended from time to time); |
| "DTRs" | the Disclosure and Transparency Rules made by the FCA under Part VI of FSMA; |
| "Election Date" | the day by which the Mandate Forms must be received by the Registrar, as announced by the Companies as the applicable deadline for the dividend concerned and expected to be at least ten Business Days before the payment date of a dividend which is to be re-invested; |
| "EU MiFID II" | Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Directive 2002/92/EC and Directive 2011/61/EU ("MiFID") and Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 ("MiFIR"), and together with MiFID, "MiFID II"; |
|---|---|
| "FCA" | the Financial Conduct Authority acting in its capacity as the competent authority under the FSMA; |
| "Facilitated Fees" | Adviser Charges, the payment of which is facilitated by the Companies; |
| "Financial Adviser" | an authorised intermediary offering investment advice to his client; |
| "FSMA" | Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended from time to time; |
| "FUND" | the Investment Funds sourcebook which forms part of the FCA Handbook; |
| "HMRC" | HM Revenue & Customs; |
| "Howard Kennedy" | Howard Kennedy Corporate Services LLP; |
| "Initial Application Fee" | the fee payable to the Manager, as set out on page 16; |
| "Intermediary/(ies)" | an authorised firm who signs the Application Form and whose details are set out in section 8 of that document; |
| "Investment Team" | those persons whose details are set out on pages 31 to 33 under the heading "The Investment Team"; |
| "Investor(s)" | an individual(s) who subscribes for New Shares; |
| "ITA 2007" | Income Tax Act 2007, as amended from time to time; |
| "IFRS" | International Financial Reporting Standards; |
| "Knowledge Intensive Company" | a company satisfying the conditions in Section 331(A) of Part 6 ITA 2007; |
| "Manager" or "YFM" | YFM Private Equity Limited, registered number 02174994, in its position as the FCA authorised and regulated subsidiary of YFM Equity Partners; |
| "Money Laundering Regulations" | The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017; |
| "Net Asset Value(s)" or "NAV" | net asset value per Share; |
| "New Ordinary Shares" | the new Ordinary shares to be issued from time to time under the Schemes; |
| "New Shares" | the new Shares to be issued from time to time under the Offers; |
| "Offers" | the offer for subscription by the Companies for New Shares in respect of the tax year 2025/26 contained in this document; |
| "Offer Amount" | the total amount remitted to a Company under an Offer, including a pro rata share of any Facilitated Fee; |
| "Offer Price" | the subscription price of each New Share issued under the Offers as calculated in accordance with the Pricing Formula; |
| "Official List" | the Official List of the FCA; |
| "Pricing Formula" | the pricing formula relating to the Offers as set out on page 36 of this document; |
| "Prospectus" | this document; |
| "Prospectus Regulation" | Regulation (EU) 2017/1129; |
| "Prospectus Regulation Rules" | the Prospectus Regulation rules of the FCA; |
| "Qualifying Company" | an unquoted (including AIM-traded) company carrying on a qualifying trade wholly or mainly in the UK satisfying the conditions in Chapter 4 of Part 6 ITA. A summary of these requirements is given in Part 5 of the Prospectus; |
|---|---|
| "Qualifying Holdings" or "Qualifying Investments" |
shares in, or securities of, a Qualifying Company held by a Venture Capital Trust which meets the requirements described in Chapter 4 of Part 6 ITA 2007; |
| "Qualifying Investor" | an individual who subscribes for or acquires shares in a Venture Capital Trust and satisfies the conditions of eligibility for tax relief available to investors in a Venture Capital Trust; |
| "RAM Capital" | RAM Capital Partners LLP; |
| "Registrar" or "Receiving Agent" | The City Partnership (UK) Limited; |
| "Regulatory Information Service" or "RIS" | a regulatory information service that is on the list of regulatory information services maintained by the FCA; |
| "Restricted Territories" | US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa (and each a Restricted Territory); |
| "Risk Finance State Aid" | state aid received by a company as defined in Section 280B (4) of ITA; |
| "RPI" | the general index of retail prices published by the Office of National Statistics each month; |
| "Securities Act" | The United States Securities Act of 1993, as amended; |
| "Shareholder(s)" | holder(s) of Shares; |
| "Shares" or "Ordinary Shares" | ordinary shares of 10p each in the capital of BSC and ordinary shares of 0.01p each in the capital of BSC2 (at an annual general meeting of BSC held on 9 September 2025, a resolution was passed to reduce the nominal value of each issued fully paid up BSC ordinary share from 10 pence per ordinary share to 0.01 pence per ordinary share, which will become effective upon the approval of the High Court); |
| "Statutes" | the "Companies Acts" as defined in Section 2 of the Act; |
| "Total Return" | NAV plus cumulative dividends paid; |
| "UK Listing Rules" | listing rules issued by the FCA, as amended from time to time; |
| "UK MiFID Laws" | (i) the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/701), The Data Reporting Services Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/699) and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2017 (SI 2017/488), and any other implementing measure which operated to transpose EU MiFID II in to UK law before 31 January 2020 (as amended and supplemented from time to time including by: (1) Markets in Financial Instruments (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018; (2) The Financial Regulators' Powers (Technical Standards etc.) and Markets in Financial Instruments (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/576); (3) The Financial Services (Miscellaneous) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019); and (4) The Financial Services (Electronic Money, Payment Services and Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; and (ii) the UK version of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 of the European Parliament, which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended and supplemented from time to time including by: (a) Markets in Financial Instruments (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018; (b) The Financial Regulators' Powers (Technical Standards etc.) and Markets in Financial Instruments (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/576); (c) The Financial Services (Miscellaneous) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; and (d) The Financial Services (Electronic Money, Payment Services and Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; |
| "UK PRIIPs Laws" | the UK version of the EU Packaged Retail Investment and Insurance Products Regulations which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended and supplemented from time to time including by the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (February 2019) and the Cross-Border Distribution of Funds, Proxy Advisors, Prospectus and Gibraltar (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; |
|---|---|
| "VAT" | value added tax; |
| "VCT" or "Venture Capital Trust" | a company which is, for the time being, approved as a venture capital trust under Section 259 of the ITA 2007; |
| "VCT Regulations" | Part 6 ITA 2007 and every other statute (including any orders, regulations or other subordinate legislation made under them) for the time being in force concerning Venture Capital Trusts as amended from time to time; |
| "YFM Equity Partners" | YFM Equity Partners LLP, registered number OC384467. |
If a Shareholder buys Ordinary Shares on or after the ex-dividend date for any relevant dividend, that Shareholder will not be entitled to receive that dividend in respect of those Ordinary Shares.
Shareholders who hold their Ordinary Shares in CREST can only elect to receive relevant dividends in the form of New Ordinary Shares by submitting their instruction via a mandate form or signed letter of instruction to The City Partnership. The instruction must be received by 5.00pm on the Election Date for the relevant dividend to be effective. Shareholders holding their Ordinary Shares through CREST should note that any election made to participate in the Scheme via a mandate instruction will only apply to the dividend in question and not to any subsequent dividends in respect of which the Directors offer a dividend re-investment alternative. Such Shareholders will need to make a separate election each time the Directors offer a dividend re-investment alternative for a particular dividend.
In the event that Admission does not become effective, Mandate Forms will be disregarded in respect of the dividend and the full cash dividend will be paid as soon as possible in the usual way.
thereof or with a registered office in any of these countries or any estate or trust, the income of which is subject to United States Federal, or Canadian, or Australian income taxation regardless of its source. "United States" means United States of America (including the District of Columbia). References to the United States, Canada and Australia include their territories, possessions and all areas subject to their jurisdiction.
No person receiving a copy of the Mandate Form in any territory other than the United Kingdom may treat it as constituting an invitation to him or her unless in the relevant territory such an invitation could lawfully be made to him or her without complying with any registration or other legal requirements. It is the responsibility of the Shareholder outside the United Kingdom wishing to elect to receive New Ordinary Shares to satisfy himself or herself as to the full observance of the laws of the relevant territory in connection with the offer, including obtaining any governmental or other consents which may be necessary and observing any other formalities requiring to be observed in such territory.
Shareholders in any doubt about their tax position should consult their independent professional adviser.
The following Terms and Conditions apply to the Offers:
Save where the context otherwise requires, words and expressions defined in this document have the same meaning when used in the Terms and Conditions of Application, the Application Form and explanatory notes.
The "Notes on how to complete the Application Form" which can be found on the Companies' website forms part of these Terms and Conditions of Application. Please note that only Applications submitted online at www.bscfunds.com or returned by post/hand/email to the Receiving Agent will be accepted.
of Application monies (in full including those making multiple payments) in cleared funds by the earlier of an Offer deadline or within five Business Days from receipt of Application to retain the Applicant's position of priority. If Application monies are not received within such time, the relevant date and time shall be when the Applicant's Application monies are received in cleared funds. An Application may not be considered as "complete" until identity verification is completed and/or, where relevant, information or supporting evidence required for the Application is no longer outstanding. The right is reserved to reject in whole or in part and scale down any Application or any part thereof including, without limitation, Applications in respect of which any verification of identity which the Companies or the Receiving Agent consider may be required for the purpose of the Money Laundering Regulations has not been satisfactorily supplied. The Boards in their absolute discretion may decide to close or suspend the Offers. The Offers shall be suspended if the issue of such New Shares in the Companies would result in a breach of the UK Listing Rules, the Companies not having the requisite Shareholder authorities from time to time to allot New Shares or a breach of any other statutory provision or regulation applicable to the Companies. Dealings prior to the issue of certificates for New Shares will be at the risk of Applicants. A person so dealing must recognise the risk that an Application may not have been accepted to the extent anticipated or at all.
To enable this process you may be contacted by the Receiving Agent and asked to provide evidence of your identity (typically an original or certified copy of a passport or driving licence, as well as a recent bank statement or utility bill);
YFM Private Equity Limited 4th Floor 2 Bond Court Leeds LS1 2JZ
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