Octopus EIS
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JohnSeton
Posts: 3 Newbie
I invested in an Octopus EIS just over 9 years ago. As a tax saving vehicle, it was very effective. It has also shown reasonable investment performance. Over the last few years, there have been a number of sales and consequent cash returns to me, but nothing for over a year now and there is still a significant amount of value in the fund (not far short of my original investment). I would like to get my money out, but apparently there is no mechanism for this: Octopus can hang on to my money for as long as they want, apparently - I may never get the money back! This is very unsatisfactory.
Is there anyone else in the same boat? Does anyone know of a way of forcing Octopus to sell shares so that I can get my money out?
Is there anyone else in the same boat? Does anyone know of a way of forcing Octopus to sell shares so that I can get my money out?
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JohnSeton said:I invested in an Octopus EIS just over 9 years ago. As a tax saving vehicle, it was very effective. It has also shown reasonable investment performance. Over the last few years, there have been a number of sales and consequent cash returns to me, but nothing for over a year now and there is still a significant amount of value in the fund (not far short of my original investment). I would like to get my money out, but apparently there is no mechanism for this: Octopus can hang on to my money for as long as they want, apparently - I may never get the money back! This is very unsatisfactory.
Is there anyone else in the same boat? Does anyone know of a way of forcing Octopus to sell shares so that I can get my money out?
Hopefully you were aware of this potential issue when you purchased the EIS nine years ago?I am an Independent Financial Adviser. Any comments I make here are intended for information / discussion only. Nothing I post here should be construed as advice. If you are looking for individual financial advice, please contact a local Independent Financial Adviser.0 -
HappyHarry said:JohnSeton said:I invested in an Octopus EIS just over 9 years ago. As a tax saving vehicle, it was very effective. It has also shown reasonable investment performance. Over the last few years, there have been a number of sales and consequent cash returns to me, but nothing for over a year now and there is still a significant amount of value in the fund (not far short of my original investment). I would like to get my money out, but apparently there is no mechanism for this: Octopus can hang on to my money for as long as they want, apparently - I may never get the money back! This is very unsatisfactory.
Is there anyone else in the same boat? Does anyone know of a way of forcing Octopus to sell shares so that I can get my money out?
Hopefully you were aware of this potential issue when you purchased the EIS nine years ago?0 -
JohnSeton said:
Octopus could sell shares - they have sold plenty in the past - but simply don't want to do so.
And if the proceeds were equally distributed to all investors, it'd still be to the detriment of those who are happy to wait for better market conditions to exit the holdings.0 -
JohnSeton said:HappyHarry said:JohnSeton said:I invested in an Octopus EIS just over 9 years ago. As a tax saving vehicle, it was very effective. It has also shown reasonable investment performance. Over the last few years, there have been a number of sales and consequent cash returns to me, but nothing for over a year now and there is still a significant amount of value in the fund (not far short of my original investment). I would like to get my money out, but apparently there is no mechanism for this: Octopus can hang on to my money for as long as they want, apparently - I may never get the money back! This is very unsatisfactory.
Is there anyone else in the same boat? Does anyone know of a way of forcing Octopus to sell shares so that I can get my money out?
Hopefully you were aware of this potential issue when you purchased the EIS nine years ago?
Anyway, I think these might be the terms you signed up to:
"8.8 You should be aware that the investments in your portfolio are long term investments and unlikely to be "readily realisable". This means that it may be very difficult or, in some cases, impossible to sell them. Subject to clause 16.7, it is open to you to have your investments transterred to you should you wish to withdraw or if you wish to terminate your agreement with us."
https://media.octopusinvestments.com/m/22403d0dea06f8e0/original/Octopus-Ventures-EIS-Service-terms-and-conditions.pdf
Found on this page:
https://octopusinvestments.com/our-products/enterprise-investment-scheme/octopus-ventures-eis-service/
Clause 16.7 might be of interest:
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Thankyou all for your various comments, which are most appreciated and provide much food for thought.0
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I buy VCT’s and accept these are 5 years+ with no secondary market. Octopus and others do sometimes offer distributions as they exit companies when they list etc and maybe they facilitate secondary market..
for me i got the initial tax reflief, annual dividends of 5% (not all pay this) and all returns are tax free, so accept the higher risks0
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