HMRC has released its latest SEIS and EIS statistics, providing valuable insight into how investors and founders are continuing to use the UK’s most powerful early-stage investment tax incentives.
SEIS Growth Continues
The strongest headline from the report is the continued growth of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).
During the 2024/25 tax year:
- 2,430 companies successfully raised funding through SEIS
- A total of £276 million was invested
- This represents a 14% increase from the previous year
- Approximately 1,775 businesses raised SEIS funding for the first time
This growth follows the 2023 expansion of SEIS, which increased the amount companies can raise and widened eligibility for many early-stage businesses.. As a result, more founders are now using SEIS as a critical stepping stone to secure their first external investment.
EIS Remains a Major Funding Force
While SEIS experienced strong growth, the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) remained stable and continues to play a vital role in supporting scale-up businesses.
The report shows:
- 3,735 companies raised investment through EIS
- £1.575 billion was invested during 2024/25
- Over £333 million was raised by companies using EIS for the first time
Although overall EIS funding remained relatively flat year-on-year, the scheme continues to channel substantial capital into growing UK businesses.
Technology Continues to Lead
The Information & Communication sector remained the largest recipient of both SEIS and EIS investment.
The latest figures show:
- 42% of all SEIS funding went into Information & Communication businesses
- 35% of all EIS funding was invested into the same sector
This highlights the continued appetite investors have for technology-led opportunities, software businesses, AI, digital platforms and innovative solutions capable of scaling rapidly.
More Competition for Advance Assurance
One of the most important trends founders should pay attention to is the increasing number of Advance Assurance applications being submitted to HMRC.
Applications for Advance Assurance continue to rise as more founders recognise how important HMRC validation can be when attracting investors.
However, approval rates have tightened, suggesting founders must ensure applications are well-prepared and clearly demonstrate eligibility before submission. This makes strong preparation, documentation and investor readiness more important than ever.
What This Means for the Oriel IPO Community
The latest statistics reinforce something we continue to see every day within the Oriel IPO community:
- Investors are still actively seeking tax-efficient opportunities
- SEIS remains one of the strongest tools available for early-stage fundraising
- EIS continues to support businesses as they scale
- Founder preparation and credibility remain critical when raising investment
As more businesses enter the market seeking investment, standing out becomes increasingly important. This is why building visibility, demonstrating traction, sharing progress updates and engaging with investors early can make a significant difference.
The opportunity remains strong for both founders and investors, and the latest HMRC figures show that SEIS and EIS continue to play a major role in driving innovation and entrepreneurial growth across the UK.
