Why Every Life Science Startup Needs an EIS Compliance Checklist
You’ve spent years in the lab. You’ve validated assays, tweaked protocols, and maybe even filed patents. But when it comes to raising cash under SEIS and EIS, most founders freeze. Complex tax rules. Compliance hoops. Forms stacked sky-high.
Cue the EIS compliance checklist. A simple Excel tool that points you exactly to what investors—and HMRC—want to see. No guesswork. No late nights scrambling for missing docs. Just clear, structured guidance.
Here’s why you need it:
- It forces you to audit your IP, team, and finances.
- It highlights gaps before investors spot them.
- It saves you time—and headaches.
- It builds confidence for your pitch meetings.
All in under 60 minutes.
Common Compliance Pitfalls for Life Science Startups
Life science founders often stumble on these:
-
Incomplete IP Strategy
You may own the tech, but can you point to licences, assignments or agreements? The EIS compliance checklist flags missing IP docs. -
Unverifiable Financial Model
A spreadsheet without footnotes? HMRC wants clarity on assumptions. Our tool has sections for revenue streams, burn rate and forecasts. -
Regulatory Pathway Gaps
Whether it’s CE marking or MHRA approvals, you need a clear plan. The checklist makes you map out each milestone. -
Team & Leadership Mismatch
Investors look for biotech veterans and serial entrepreneurs. The tool asks: “Who’s on your board? Advisors?” -
Commercialisation Uncertainty
Lab-to-market is a marathon, not a sprint. Outline partnerships, distribution channels, pricing models.
Without an EIS compliance checklist, these blind spots can derail your funding round. Better to find them yourself.
Introducing Our Free SEIS/EIS Readiness Excel Tool
We at Oriel IPO built a commission-free SEIS/EIS investment readiness tool specifically for life science startups. It’s a free, downloadable Excel file that you can use right now—no strings attached.
What’s inside?
-
Cover Page
Simple instructions. Define your stage: seed, Series A or beyond. -
14 Investor-Critical Categories
From Team & Leadership to Regulatory Pathway. Each comes with a scoring guide. -
Scoring & Simulation Dashboard
Plug in your numbers. See your readiness score. Identify top three gaps in seconds. -
Tax Relief Summary
Quick reference to SEIS (up to 50% income tax relief) and EIS (up to 30%). Check you meet the criteria.
Key Benefits at a Glance
- Instant view of your EIS compliance checklist status.
- A priority roadmap: fix the 20% of issues that block 80% of approvals.
- Clear visuals: radar charts show strengths and weaknesses.
- Hands-on: no fluff, no jargon, just practical steps.
How to Use the Excel Tool
- Download the file and open it in Excel (or Google Sheets).
- Fill in basic details: company name, funding round date.
- Rate yourself on each category (0–5 scale). Be honest.
- Watch the dashboard auto-update your overall readiness.
- Dive into the high-impact gaps. Use the bullet-point tips to polish each area.
A jam-packed compliance review done in under an hour. That’s pretty neat, right?
Comparing with Other Investment Readiness Tools
There are a few similar offerings out there—like the Life Science Tech Startup Investment Readiness Excel Tool by Charabio. It’s solid:
- Covers 14 categories, too.
- Developed by Dr Fabio D’Agostino with VC reviews.
- Priced around €225 (often on sale).
But here’s where we differ:
| Feature | Charabio Tool | Oriel IPO Free Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | €225 (sometimes €24) | £0 |
| SEIS/EIS Integration | None | Built around SEIS/EIS criteria |
| Commission-Free Investment Marketplace | No | Yes—our core platform is commission-free |
| Curated Tax-Efficient Opportunities | No | Yes—founders connect directly with angel pools |
| Ongoing Educational Webinars | No | Yes |
| Subscription Model | One-off download | Free tool + optional subscription for advanced features |
We’re not saying Charabio’s tool is bad. It’s a reputable product with heavyweight reviews. But if you want a tool that plugs directly into a commission-free SEIS/EIS marketplace, plus access to curated, tax-efficient opportunities, ours is the better fit.
Beyond the Checklist: Oriel IPO’s Commission-Free Marketplace
Your free Excel tool is just the start. Once you’ve ticked off that EIS compliance checklist, where do you go next? Most platforms take a commission on every investment. Not us.
With Oriel IPO:
- Startups pay a transparent subscription fee.
- Investors enjoy curated SEIS/EIS opportunities at zero commission.
- Founders keep more of each pound raised.
- We vet every company for SEIS/EIS eligibility before listing.
Think of it as a fast lane: you pass the compliance test, get listed, and pitch directly to angels who value tax relief. No hidden fees. No commissions cutting into your runway.
Step-by-Step: From Download to Deal Closed
- Download the free SEIS/EIS readiness Excel tool.
- Self-assess your startup in 14 key areas.
- Improve top gap areas (e.g., IP assignment, market strategy).
- Join Oriel IPO’s platform; list your compliant startup.
- Pitch to investors eager for tax-efficient life science deals.
- Secure funding, hassle-free and commission-free.
Real-World Example: BiotechX Ltd.
BiotechX had a brilliant diagnostic platform. But their pitch deck missed crucial regulatory plans. They:
- Ran our EIS compliance checklist tool.
- Scored 1/5 in Regulatory Pathway.
- Spent two weeks formalising MHRA timelines.
- Updated their readiness score to 4/5.
- Listed on Oriel IPO.
- Secured £500k from three angel investors within 30 days.
They pocketed full funding—no commission eaten by the platform. And those angels got their tax relief sorted from day one.
Wrapping Up
Launching a life science startup is tough. SEIS and EIS reliefs are powerful—but only if you tick every box. Our EIS compliance checklist tool gives you that clarity. And when you’re ready, you can leverage Oriel IPO’s commission-free marketplace to connect with investors who care about tax-efficient, high-impact life science deals.
Go from lab bench to boardroom with confidence. Download the free tool. Tackle compliance. Then pitch on a platform that puts your funding first.
