Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
This is a high-risk investment, and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.
Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.
1. You could lose all the money you invest
If the business you invest in fails, you are likely to lose 100% of the money you invested. Most start-up businesses fail.
2. You won’t get your money back quickly
Even if the business you invest in is successful, it will likely take several years to get your money back.
The most likely way to get your money back is if the business is bought by another business or lists its shares on an exchange such as the London Stock Exchange. These events are not common.
Start-up businesses very rarely pay you back through dividends. You should not expect to get your money back this way.
3. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well. A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. [https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart/5-questions-ask-you-invest]
4. The value of your investment can be reduced
If your investment is shares, the percentage of the business that you own will decrease if the business issues more shares. This could mean that the value of your investment reduces, depending on how much the business grows. Most start-up businesses issue multiple rounds of shares.
These new shares could have additional rights that your shares don’t have, such as the right to receive a fixed dividend, which could further reduce your chances of getting a return on your investment.
5. You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong
Protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), in relation to claims against failed regulated firms, does not cover poor investment performance. Try the FSCS investment protection checker here. [https://www.fscs.org.uk/check/investment-protection-checker/]
Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated platform, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here. [https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers].
