Introduction
Building an intuitive investment platform technology isn’t a walk in the park. Especially when you’re fusing complex tax incentives like SEIS/EIS with a slick user interface. We wanted something different. Something simple. Something that even your gran could use to invest in a startup. Enter Oriel IPO.
You’ve seen Seedrs, Crowdcube, maybe even SyndicateRoom. Great platforms. But they often charge fees or bury you in paperwork. We tossed commission fees out the window. We carved out a platform that’s tax-aware, commission-free and designed around you, the investor or entrepreneur.
In this post, I’m peeling back the curtain. You’ll learn how our investment platform technology ticks, why we chose certain frameworks, and the nitty-gritty of delivering a top-notch user experience. Strap in.
Why Investment Platform Technology Matters for SEIS/EIS
You might think an online investment portal is just another website. You’d be wrong. The backbone of any SEIS/EIS marketplace is robust investment platform technology.
- Speed matters. Investors don’t wait five seconds for a page to load.
- Security matters. Tax relief only works if investors trust the platform.
- Clarity matters. SEIS and EIS schemes can be confusing. We built tools to demystify them.
Early-stage startups thrive on cash and clarity. Entrepreneurs want fast funding. Angels want easy due-diligence. Most platforms focus on one side. We focused on both. Our technology:
- Curates tax-efficient opportunities.
- Supports commission-free pledges.
- Educates with concise, interactive guides.
This isn’t buzz. It’s practical engineering.
Core Tech Stack Behind Oriel IPO
Let’s talk tech. Keep it light. Think coffee chat, not a PhD lecture.
Front-End: React & Next.js
We chose React for dynamic interfaces. Next.js adds server-side rendering. What that means for you:
- Fast load times.
- SEO-friendly pages (because we care about discoverability).
- Real-time updates of investment rounds.
The result? A responsive platform where you can filter SEIS/EIS deals by sector, size and discount in milliseconds.
Back-End: Node.js & GraphQL
A GraphQL API sits at our core. Why GraphQL?
- Clients fetch only what they need.
- Reduced data overfetching.
- Future-proof schema evolution.
Node.js ensures our server ticks over billions of queries a day. All secured with JWT and OAuth2.0.
Data Layer: PostgreSQL & Redis
We store investor profiles, company details and transaction histories in PostgreSQL. It’s reliable, ACID-compliant. Redis sits in front for caching:
- Instant lookup of live deal feeds.
- Session storage with sub-millisecond response.
- Rate limiting to ward off bots.
Compliance & Security
Financial data is sacred. We implemented:
- AES-256 encryption at rest.
- TLS 1.3 in transit.
- Multi-factor authentication for all admin users.
Working towards FCA approval. A layered defence is non-negotiable.
Educational Integration: Maggie’s AutoBlog
Content is key. We integrated Maggie’s AutoBlog, our AI-powered content engine. It auto-generates bite-sized articles on:
- SEIS/EIS eligibility.
- Tax relief timelines.
- Investor case studies.
Educational resources live alongside deals. You don’t need Google. We bring insights to you.
User Experience by Design
Tech is one thing. UX is another beast. We tackled the latter with:
- Onboarding wizard. A four-step process: personal details, risk appetite, tax status, confirmation.
- Progress bars. Everyone loves a win. Each step feels like an achievement.
- Interactive dashboards. Your portfolio updates in real-time. No guessing.
Here’s a quick overview:
- Sign up in under two minutes.
- Browse curated SEIS/EIS rounds.
- Read automated insights by Maggie’s AutoBlog.
- Invest with a single click – no commission.
And yes, every button is hand-tested for mobile. Because if it looks wonky on your phone, we’ve failed.
Commission-Free Model and Tax-Incentive Focus
We heard it again and again: “Why the free model?” Good question. Most platforms take between 5–7% commission. We don’t. Here’s how we make it work:
- Subscription tiers unlock premium deal flow.
- A small monthly fee replaces hefty deal levies.
- Community events and webinars generate ad-revenue.
And of course, tax relief remains front and centre. SEIS offers up to 50% income tax relief. EIS can go as high as 30%. We built dynamic calculators so you can:
- See exact tax savings before you invest.
- Project your returns after relief.
- Compare SEIS versus EIS side by side.
It’s clear. It’s fast. It’s commission-free.
Practical Steps to Build a SEIS/EIS Marketplace
Thinking of building your own? Here’s what we’d tell ourselves if we had a time machine:
- Start with a clear schema. GraphQL or REST but lock down data types early.
- Invest in caching from day one. Page speed wins hearts.
- Automate content. Maggie’s AutoBlog saved us months of writing.
- Build modular components. You’ll thank yourself when you add new features.
- Prioritise security audits. Third-party pen-testing is worth every penny.
- Partner with accountants. Offer integrated advisory to boost trust.
And don’t forget legal. SEIS/EIS rules evolve. Keep your compliance team close.
Comparison with Established Competitors
Seedrs and Crowdcube are titans. They’ve done equity crowdfunding well. But here’s the catch:
- Fees add up. You pay to play.
- Advisory services can be generic.
- User experience varies between mobile and desktop.
We looked at their strengths:
- Wide deal flow.
- Established brand trust.
- FCA backing.
Then we asked: “How can we improve?” We trimmed fees entirely. We layered in auto-generated, tax-specific content. We focused on seamless mobile-first design. That’s our edge.
Scaling and Future Roadmap
We’re not resting on our laurels. The plan:
- Introduce compliance analytics dashboards.
- Add peer-to-peer investor chat rooms.
- Integrate real-world portfolio simulators.
- Pursue full FCA authorisation.
Each feature builds on our core investment platform technology. We iterate quickly. We listen to users. We roll out changes weekly.
Conclusion
Building an SEIS/EIS investment marketplace is part art, part engineering. You need:
- A solid tech stack.
- Commission-free incentives.
- Real-time data.
- Automated educational tools like Maggie’s AutoBlog.
- A killer user experience.
Oriel IPO brings it all together with an intuitive investment platform technology that you and I can actually use. Ready to see it for yourself?
