GrowthInvest

GrowthInvest is the trading name of EIS Platforms Limited and operates in the UK as an Appointed Representative of Sapphire Capital Partners LLP. The FCA register entry for EIS Platforms Ltd shows FRN 694945 and confirms the AR relationship with Sapphire Capital Partners LLP (Principal FRN 565716).

So what this means for investors: as an Appointed Representative, GrowthInvest is not directly authorised by the FCA — its regulated activities are carried out under the permissions and oversight of its principal firm, Sapphire Capital Partners LLP. The principal firm bears regulatory responsibility for the AR’s conduct and permissions.

GrowthInvest provides a digital platform that aggregates and administers alternative, tax-efficient investments for advisers and their clients, according to the firm's public materials and platform description. Typical steps described by the platform include initial adviser-led research/selection of products, digital subscription or transfer of investments, and ongoing reporting/administration via the platform.

Why it matters: centralised administration can reduce paperwork and give advisers a consolidated view of illiquid holdings, which helps with reporting and client oversight — but centralisation does not change the underlying risks, costs, or liquidity characteristics of the underlying investments.

Product range: GrowthInvest markets access to a range of alternative and tax-efficient investments including Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) funds, Seed EIS (SEIS) funds, Inheritance Tax (IHT) services (AIM and Unquoted Business Relief options), private equity/venture capital funds, and private company shares and debt.

Wrappers: The platform states it supports common wrappers used for these investments, such as ISAs (including VCT ISAs where applicable), SIPPs, SSAS and GIAs.

Fees: The profile being checked claims a platform fee of 0.25% of Assets under Administration with a £250 annual minimum and that underlying investment products charge their own initial and ongoing fees. These specific fee figures are not corroborated in the supplied regulatory data and should be treated as unverified until substantiated by GrowthInvest’s published fee schedule or a vetted source.

Liquidity: The platform refers to a secondary market for VCTs and publishes a VCT buy-back calendar on its site (a mechanism some platforms use to offer limited liquidity). Investors should understand that secondary market arrangements for VCTs and unlisted holdings are typically constrained, pricing can be volatile, and buy-backs are often subject to strict rules and availability — they are not a guarantee of liquidity.

So what this means for investors: product availability and wrappers can provide tax efficiencies for eligible investors, but fees (platform + underlying product charges), long holding periods and limited liquidity materially affect net returns and suitability.

GrowthInvest is aimed at advisers, wealth managers and their clients seeking access to tax-efficient and alternative investments via a centralised administration platform. The types of investors typically suited to these products are experienced or high-net-worth individuals who accept higher risk, limited liquidity and the potential for loss of capital. The platform states it does not provide tax advice and recommends investors obtain independent professional advice — investors should follow that guidance.

Key watch points identified from the research data:

• Cloned firm warning: The FCA Register entry for EIS Platforms Ltd (GrowthInvest) includes a notice about cloned firms using the company's details; this represents a real scam risk and investors should use contact numbers on the FCA Register to confirm the firm’s identity before transferring funds.
• Name confusion: The FCA previously warned consumers about an unauthorised firm called 'Growth Investments' (plural) — a different entity — which increases the potential for consumer confusion; check the exact firm name and FRN before proceeding.
• Limited aggregated disclosures: Lack of platform-level, audited historical performance and default-rate data reduces the ability to evaluate overall platform outcomes — ask for product-level records and adviser distribution of outcomes where available.

Regulatory protections reminder: Investment losses are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) simply because a platform is AR or authorised; FSCS covers certain types of authorisation failures or mis-selling where applicable, but it does not insure against poor investment performance or the inherent risks of alternative investments. Investors should not assume FSCS protection for losses in private or tax-efficient investments.