Vala Capital Limited

Vala Capital Limited

About

"The business of change" Vala Capital invests in and supports the founders of progressive, purpose-led ventures. Vala is an entrepreneur‐led investment advisory firm, focused on mentoring the founders of inspirational companies, and providing the finance they need to grow their businesses. Customers can currently invest in one of two EIS funds: The Vala EIS Portfolio, and the Vala Sustainable Growth EIS.

"Over a five-year investment period Vala’s fund is the cheapest we have seen in the market by some margin. It is worth noting the breadth of experience Vala Capital’s Jasper Smith, Paddy Willis and Arthur Hughes have in founding, incubating or investing in a number of companies over their careers including some exceptional performers."

MICAP

Investment focus

We believe investing should feel like more than just picking a product off a shelf. And the inner workings of the manager should not be mysterious to the investor. Our aim is to foster a connection between ourselves, our investors and the entrepreneurs we back. At the heart of the Vala EIS Portfolio is an Investment Committee of four serial entrepreneurs, which have been investing their personal capital into SMEs for many years. Our approach to deal flow and deploying capital is, wherever possible, to work on the due diligence and completion processes for numerous deals simultaneously, so that we can invest in tranches. The Vala EIS Portfolio focuses on true, at-risk EIS investing that is firmly in the spirit of the legislation, including the recently introduced growth and development test. Our fee structure is designed to make sure that our primary source of revenue from the fund comes not from continuous fundraising but from making successful investments. We believe this is the best way to align our interests with those of our investors.

Key team members

Jasper Smith - Founder

Jasper has overall responsibility for the Vala EIS Portfolio’s deal flow and mentoring services. He is an entrepreneur who has founded and invested in many companies in the media, technology and engineering sectors. Previous ventures include: Static2358, Electra Entertainment, Optimistic Entertainment Plc, PlayJam, PlayStack and Arksen. He has generated a number of highly successful exits, creating significant shareholder value along the way

James Faulkner - Director

James is one of the Directors and has responsibility for the experience of the investors and their advisers. James has enjoyed a successful career in sales and marketing for over 30 years primarily within financial services with PwC, ABN Amro and Dun & Bradstreet but with spells in manufacturing and consulting too. James is a Chartered Member of the CISI and holds the Level 4 Investment Advice Diploma.

Jane Holland - COO

Jane is the COO of Vala Capital and has overall management and administrative responsibility for the day to day operations. Jane is a qualified Chartered Accountant and brings a wealth of experience from holding senior finance roles in sectors including Media, Food and Beverage and FMCG. For the past 9 years Jane has specialised in Investment Management within the Media sector with her most recent role as Finance Director.

Investment opportunities

Vala Capital Limited

We are working to make investments from this manager available on our platform.

Investment opportunities are added daily, please check back soon.

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Example portfolio companies

Arksen Arksen is developing a unique and innovative range of semi‐autonomous explorer vessels for pleasure, research and commercial purposes. The vessels will have the range and capability to operate anywhere in the world, in the harshest of environments, safely and comfortably. Arksen’s vision is to pioneer the technology that will define the marine industry over the next decade. Play.Works PlayWorks is the largest smart TV gaming provider in the world. The company also runs a social networking games agency and a TV games platform in partnership with Sky TV UK, Samsung, LG, ComCast, Roku and others. Another large growth area for the business is expected to include the distibrution of video channels for the Smart TV market. Turnover has increased from £1.2m to £2.3m and the company is profitable. Good Club Good Club is a membership website selling ethical groceries and developing a 'closed loop', zero waste model for selling ambient food and household supplies. The aim is to be the first zero waste online supermarket, and to make household staples truly sustainable and accessible to all, in terms of how products are made, used and disposed of.

Awards

Tax Efficiency Awards 2019/2020 - Finalist
Growth Investor Awards 2020 - 'Runner Up' Most Impactful Investment - PlayWorks
Growth Investor Awards 2020 - 'Runner-Up' Industry Rising Star

Investments offered

  • EIS
  • VC

Contact

Assets under management

£7,350,000
EIS
EIS

Fund raising track record

£ billion
2020/21