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SEIS vs EIS vs Non-Eligible Deals: Ensuring Compliance on a Commission-Free Marketplace

Early-stage funding can feel like a labyrinth of jargon, tax reliefs and compliance checks. With SEIS, EIS and plain equity all vying for attention, founders and investors often waste hours trying to untangle which route makes sense. This concise SEIS vs EIS vs non-eligible deals comparison peels back the layers on eligibility, caps and operational overhead—all while showcasing how a commission-free marketplace keeps things crystal clear.

On Oriel IPO’s platform, you get more than listings. You tap into curated deals, automated compliance workflows and educational tools that make SEIS and EIS feel like a walk in the park. Ready to get started? Explore our SEIS investment guide and revolutionise your early-stage funding

Understanding the Deal Types

Before diving into systems and workflows, it helps to get clear definitions.

SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme)

  • Designed for very early-stage UK startups (typically under 3 years old).
  • Fewer than 25 employees.
  • Gross assets below £350k.
  • Companies can raise up to £250,000 in lifetime investment.
  • Investors receive:
  • 50% income tax relief.
  • Loss relief (if shares are held for at least three years).
  • Use our SEIS investment guide to confirm your eligibility criteria and timing.

EIS (Enterprise Investment Scheme)

  • Targets growth-oriented companies up to 7 years old (10 years for knowledge-intensive firms).
  • Up to 250 employees (500 for knowledge-intensive).
  • Gross assets up to £15 million.
  • Investment cap: ~£5 million per year, £12 million lifetime (higher for KICs).
  • Investor incentives include:
  • 30% income tax relief.
  • Capital gains tax deferral.
  • Loss relief after three years.
  • Pair the SEIS investment guide with the EIS section for a side-by-side view.

Non-Eligible Deals

  • Standard equity investments with no SEIS/EIS perks.
  • Straightforward share issues and corporate documentation.
  • Appeals to:
  • Investors not eligible for tax relief.
  • Corporate backers.
  • Non-UK-resident angels.
  • Our SEIS investment guide explains when plain equity makes sense alongside tax-advantaged deals.

Side-by-Side Comparison: SEIS vs EIS vs Non-Eligible

Here’s a quick glance at how the three deal types stack up:

  • Stage of Company
  • SEIS: Companies <3 years old
  • EIS: Companies <7 years (10 for KICs)

  • Non-Eligible: Any stage

  • Employee Count

  • SEIS: <25
  • EIS: <250 (500 for KICs)

  • Non-Eligible: No fixed cap

  • Asset Limits

  • SEIS: Under £350k
  • EIS: Up to £15 million

  • Non-Eligible: No asset limit

  • Investment Caps

  • SEIS: £250k lifetime
  • EIS: £5 million per year (lifetime £12 million)

  • Non-Eligible: Depends on company

  • Investor Tax Relief

  • SEIS: 50% income tax relief
  • EIS: 30% income tax relief + CGT deferral

  • Non-Eligible: None

  • Holding Period

  • All tax-relief schemes require ≥3 years to retain benefits.
  • Standard equity has no minimum hold.

Our SEIS investment guide dives deeper into each of these points, with practical checklists and case studies.

Compliance Overhead: What Every Platform Must Handle

Supporting SEIS and EIS isn’t just about listing labels. There’s a series of steps you can’t skip.

SEIS and EIS Eligibility Checks

  • Verify company age, employee count and asset thresholds.
  • Ensure the business activity qualifies under HMRC rules.
  • Document every step to keep tax relief intact.

Advance Assurance and Documentation

  • Guide founders through HMRC’s Advance Assurance process.
  • Collect accurate data for SEIS1/EIS1 applications.
  • Produce SEIS3/EIS3 certificates for investors post-close.

Tax Certificates and Holding Periods

  • Automate delivery of certificates so investors claim relief quickly.
  • Track shareholding durations.
  • Send reminders before the three-year deadline lapses.

Managing Non-Eligible Deals

  • Conduct standard due diligence and KYC.
  • Issue ordinary shares and maintain cap tables.
  • Keep reporting simple but thorough.

Oriel IPO’s platform streamlines all this. Our automated checklists, templates and alert systems were designed to handle the toughest compliance tasks—so you don’t have to.

How Oriel IPO Makes Deal Flow Effortless

Adding SEIS, EIS and non-eligible deals under one roof might sound complex. On a traditional platform, it is. But Oriel IPO flips the script:

  • Commission-free access means your startup keeps more of every pound raised.
  • Subscription-based pricing removes hidden fees and surprises.
  • Curated, vetted opportunities ensure quality over quantity.
  • A structured SEIS investment guide helps founders and investors navigate HMRC requirements.
  • Educational tools — from webinars to deep-dive articles — demystify every scheme.
  • Advanced assurance support and form generation take the pain out of paperwork.
  • Centralised dashboards track funding progress, tax certificate issuance and shareholding periods.

Whether you’re a founder listing your first SEIS round or an angel eyeing an EIS opportunity, Oriel IPO delivers a hassle-free experience.

Discover our SEIS investment guide and power your early-stage investments

Designing a Seamless Investor Experience

A cluttered UX kills deal flow. These best practices keep investors engaged:

  • Clearly label deals as SEIS-eligible, EIS-eligible or Standard equity.
  • Use icons and tooltips to summarise tax perks (e.g., “50% income tax relief”).
  • Ask investors about their SEIS/EIS status during onboarding.
  • Provide a tax relief calculator for instant projections.
  • Include collapsible boxes to outline risks and minimum holding periods.
  • Automate certificate generation and delivery.
  • Send automated alerts before holding periods end.

Our SEIS investment guide even includes example UI flows to help platform developers replicate best-in-class designs.

User Testimonials

“Oriel IPO’s compliance workflow saved me days of HMRC paperwork. The SEIS investment guide was invaluable in ticking every eligibility box.”
— Sarah Thompson, Angel Investor

“As a founder, I loved the commission-free model. The platform’s educational webinars and SEIS/EIS checklist made fundraising stress-free.”
— Raj Patel, CEO of GreenTech UK

“I appreciated the in-built alert system. It reminded me when my shares hit the three-year mark — no accidental loss of tax relief.”
— Emily Carter, Seed-Stage Entrepreneur

Getting Started: Best Practices for Platforms

If you’re building or scaling a crowdfunding marketplace, remember:

  • Offer all three deal types for a balanced investor funnel.
  • Vet and curate opportunities to maintain credibility.
  • Partner with accountants or advisory firms to add complementary services.
  • Monitor regulatory updates to stay compliant.
  • Use subscription fees for predictable revenue, not hidden commissions.
  • Invest in user education — guides, webinars and live support pay dividends.

The right mix of SEIS, EIS and non-eligible deals widens your investor base, from risk-tolerant angels to seasoned VCs.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Mix on a Commission-Free Marketplace

Balancing SEIS, EIS and non-eligible deals need not be a headache. With clear labels, automated compliance workflows and a robust SEIS investment guide, platforms like Oriel IPO are transforming how startups and investors connect. Commission-free, subscription-based and backed by deep educational resources, Oriel IPO ensures every round runs smoothly and stays compliant.

Ready to streamline your fundraising journey? Access the ultimate SEIS investment guide on Oriel IPO today

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