Why SEIS and EIS are the Startup World’s Best-Kept Secret
Raising cash can feel like a marathon with hurdles. You craft pitch decks, refine forecasts, and court investors—only to watch fees eat into your growth budget. Enter SEIS and EIS, the UK government’s answer to turbocharging early-stage investment with genuine tax perks for backers and a smoother path to capital for founders.
These schemes aren’t just about relief on paper. They’re powerful, real-world tools that align angels’ appetite for risk with founders’ need for runway. When combined with a commission-free marketplace, they transform the funding journey. Ready to explore how this pairing can reshape your fundraising? Discover tax-efficient funding solutions revolutionising UK investments
Understanding SEIS and EIS: A Tax Break Playbook
Getting to grips with the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is simpler than it looks. Both programmes offer layers of relief, designed to make early bets on startups far more attractive.
What is SEIS?
- Available for companies raising up to £150,000.
- Investors receive 50% Income Tax relief on amounts invested.
- Qualifying gains on SEIS shares are CGT-exempt if held for three years.
- Loss relief cushions downside, offsetting losses against other income.
What is EIS?
- Targets larger raises, up to £5 million per company per year.
- Investors enjoy 30% Income Tax relief.
- CGT deferral allows you to pause tax on other gains by reinvesting into EIS-qualifying shares.
- After three years, gains on EIS shares are also CGT-exempt.
- Qualifying shares can qualify for Inheritance Tax relief after two years.
Together, SEIS and EIS unlock a suite of tax-efficient funding solutions that keep both investors and founders grinning.
The Drawbacks of Traditional Funding Commissions
Most equity platforms charge a cut of the funds you raise—often 5 to 7%. It doesn’t sound huge, until you realise that every percent is critical runway for your startup. Hidden admin fees, legal charges and success bonuses can push that 7% closer to 10%.
• Commission models dilute founders’ equity and value.
• Fees can deter smaller raises, making micro-rounds uneconomical.
• Lack of transparency leaves founders in the dark on total cost.
• Advisors must spend time justifying fees instead of advising strategy.
All that friction adds up. For any early business, every pound saved on fees is a pound reinvested in product development, marketing or hiring key talent. That’s why UK founders are turning to tax-efficient funding solutions that cut out the middleman’s commission.
How Oriel IPO Streamlines Commission-Free, Tax-Efficient Fundraising
Oriel IPO is a UK-based online investment marketplace built for the SEIS and EIS world. Instead of slicing off a chunk of your raise, we operate on transparent subscription fees. That means founders keep more capital in-house and can plan growth confidently.
Key features include:
– Commission-free model: No success fees on funds raised.
– Curated SEIS/EIS opportunities: Each startup is vetted for compliance and viability.
– Educational hub: Guides, webinars and insights demystify the tax rules.
– Centralised investor pool: Angel investors with a track record of supporting early-stage businesses.
– Quality assurance: Rigorous checks reduce due-diligence hassle for advisers.
By combining these elements, Oriel IPO delivers a frictionless experience for founders seeking tax-efficient funding solutions, all while fostering a community of informed investors and professional advisers.
Why Investors and Advisers Love SEIS/EIS on Oriel IPO
Investors and their accountants need clarity. Oriel IPO hands it to them on a silver platter.
Investor benefits:
– Streamlined onboarding with clear eligibility checks.
– Dashboard shows real-time tax relief calculations.
– Access to vetted SEIS/EIS deals removes guesswork.
– In-platform tools help track portfolio performance under tax relief rules.
Accountants and tax advisers gain:
– Ready-made compliance documents for SEIS/EIS claims.
– White-label guides and templates save hours of admin.
– Training webinars keep teams up to date on HMRC changes.
Curious to see how your clients can gain confidence—and you can reduce admin headaches? Explore commission-free, tax-efficient funding solutions today
Setting Up for Success: Practical Steps for Founders
- Check eligibility: Ensure your business meets SEIS/EIS criteria (trading age, gross assets, employee numbers).
- Prepare articles of association: Align your company paperwork with HMRC’s requirements.
- Build a solid pitch deck: Highlight your market, traction and how you’ll use funds.
- Forecast finances: Show clear revenue and burn-rate projections.
- Register on Oriel IPO: Fill in basic company details and funding needs.
- Engage advisers: Use our educational resources to guide accountants through relief claims.
- Connect with angels: Drop into pitch sessions and one-to-one meetings on the platform.
Follow these steps and tap into tax-efficient funding solutions effortlessly.
Testimonials
“Working with Oriel IPO transformed our SEIS raise. We saved thousands in commission and got expert guidance on every tax relief step. Highly recommend for any early-stage founder.”
— Sarah Thompson, CEO at GreenTech Innovations
“As a chartered accountant, Oriel IPO’s resources cut my prep time in half. My clients understood SEIS/EIS instantly, and applications sailed through HMRC checks.”
— Marcus Patel, Chartered Accountant
“Oriel IPO helped me find high-quality EIS opportunities that matched my risk profile. The tax relief tools made portfolio planning a breeze.”
— Emily Nguyen, Angel Investor
The Future of Early-Stage Funding in the UK
The startup scene is evolving fast. Government incentives will adapt, and digital marketplaces must keep pace. That’s why commission-free, tax-focused platforms like Oriel IPO are vital. They bring transparency, education and community to the heart of SEIS and EIS investing.
Whether you’re a founder chasing that first £150k or an investor seeking balanced risk and reward, tax-efficient funding solutions are no longer optional—they’re essential. Ready to make the leap? Start raising capital with tax-efficient funding solutions commission-free


