Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)
Status not published
Continuous. Advance assurance recommended before the raise.
Up to GBP 5 million a year and GBP 12 million lifetime (GBP 10 million a year / GBP 20 million lifetime for knowledge-intensive companies). Investors receive 30% income tax relief.
HM Revenue and Customs
public · national
Deadline: rolling — Continuous. Advance assurance recommended before the raise.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- Under 7 years old
- Up to 250 employees
- Stage: seed, series_a, growth
- Locally registered entity required
Generally under 7 years from first commercial sale (10 for knowledge-intensive), fewer than 250 employees (500 for KIC) and gross assets under GBP 15 million before investment.
How to apply
- Confirm the company meets the age, size and trade conditions
- Apply to HMRC for advance assurance
- Issue the shares
- Submit form EIS1 compliance statement
- HMRC issues EIS3 certificates
Source. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/venture-capital-schemes-apply-to-use-the-enterprise-investment-scheme — checked 2026-08-14 · not human-checked