The EIS Navigator

Film investing through EIS has changed radically since the Patient Capital Review. Andeas Roald is CEO of Sovereign Media, whose background is in making films rather than simply financing them, talks about the return to more traditional structures. We go through some of the basics of film investing, discussing where and how investors get their returns. Distribution is key, and the landscape is changing rapidly. We discuss video-on-demand services and how to get the best deal from them. We also go into the effect COVID-19 is having, both on distribution and production, finding the pluses as well as the minuses.Sovereign Media GroupSovereign FilmsSuggested books:Two Against Hitler - Isabel Vincent (released May 2021)Dinner with Edward - Isabel VincentAs usual, full shownotes are at https://www.hardmanandco.com/podcast/ and you can contact us at info@hardmanandco.com.

While equity crowdfunding hasn't taken off the way that many hoped, it is an important influence on startups and the EIS industry. Rob Murray Brown is one of the few crowdfunding experts outside the platforms, with strong opinions on what is and isn't working for investors. We discuss many of the issues for investors, the challenges of getting the right information, what diligence the platforms are or are not doing and what investors should be doing to minimise their chances of being involved in any of the disasters. We also talk about the UK insolvency process and how it isn't serving investors well. ECF.BuzzSuggested book:The Empty Raincoat - Charles HandyAs usual, full shownotes are at https://www.hardmanandco.com/podcast/.

As investors, it is easy to focus on the process of making investments and forget that the real work happens afterwards. Dr Andy Round discusses supporting companies after an investment is made. We cover getting the right board in place and different sources of support, including various government schemes. We also discuss the challenges of fund managers supporting companies, including getting the right balance of involvement and how to deal with with difficult situations. Startups and entrepreneurs will find this an extra useful episode.Links:Praetura VenturesBritish Business BankInnovate UKBusiness Gateway (Scotland)Regional Development Agencies (England)In the Northwest:BionowDaresburyAlderley ParkRecommended books:Southern Reach Trilogy: Annihiliation - Geoff VanderMeer Invisible Women - Caroline Criado Perez

We are joined by Pippa Gawley from Zero Carbon Capital who are focussed on climate investing. We talk about Pippa's belief that the climate crisis is the most important issue an investor can look to help solve. We discuss the challenges of small companies making meaningful contributions on a global scale and making judgements about what will and won't work.We also discuss the challenges of improving the EIS and venture capital world for under-represented groups.Links:Zero Carbon Capital Crane tool for assessing impactsRecommended books:Good Strategy, Bad Strategy - Richard RumeltDrawdown - Paul HawkenFull information on the podcast is here.

We are joined by Matthew O'Kane from Nexus Ventures. Nexus are thematic investors and we discuss how to find and invest in good themes. Matthew gives a couple of examples, showing how he built an investment thesis and how these have worked out.Nexus Ventures websiteScale-up Fund websiteMatthew's suggested books:Dexy Midnight Runners: Young Soul Rebels - Richard WhiteSecond Bounce of the Ball - Ronald CohenAs always, further show notes here.

This is the second of our bonus episodes introducing EIS and tax-advantaged schemes. This time we take the perspective of companies trying to raise money. To help us, our guest is Simon Thorn from Acceleris. We discuss some of the options available to companies and what considerations they should think about when choosing an investor.HMRC guide to raising money under EISHMRC guide to raising money under SEIS

Interview with Paul Miller, Managing Partner and CEO at Bethnal Green Ventures. We talk about running an acclerator, what Paul thinks is important for companies to develop and how the markets for startups are changing. We also discuss social impact investing and how companies can move from ideas to having a measurable impact.Suggested book:"Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm" - Isabella Tree

We had requests for episodes that were more introductory, for those new to investing in the Enterprise Investment Scheme, the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts. In the first of two bonus episodes, Mark Brownridge, Director General of the EIS Association, talks about the schemes from the perspective of investors and advisors. We outline why the schemes exist, what the advantages for investors are, the various routes to investing and some of the things investors should think about before committing money.The second bonus episode will talk about the schemes from the perspective of companies looking to raise money.

Interview with Dr Reuben Wilcock, Ventures Director at Blackfinch Ventures. We talk about the challenges of creating an investment process from scratch, including establishing a quality pipeline and creating effective decision making. We also talk about some of the challenges of the Advanced Assurance process.Suggested books:"How to Win Friends and Influence People" - Dale Carnegie"The Hard Thing about Hard Things" - Ben Horowitz

Interview with Andrew Castell from Par Equity in Edinburgh. We talk about angel investing, running an angel syndicate and the merits of being an angel versus a passive investor.