Valentis SEIS/EIS Consulting
Expansion Planning Services
Giving UK startups the tools they need to succeed with smart tax breaks
Valentis helps early-stage and growing businesses navigate the complexities of the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS). Our customised consulting services are meant to help your company and its investors get the most out of tax breaks, make the application process easier, and make sure you meet all the requirements.
What Is SEIS/EIS – And Why Does It Matter for Your Startup?
Unlocking Investment Potential with Government-Backed Incentives
The UK government started SEIS and EIS to get people to invest in high-risk, early-stage companies by giving them big tax breaks. Startups that want to get funding and grow may find it very helpful to understand and use these schemes.
SEIS is for very new businesses that need to raise up to £250,000. Investors can get up to 50% off their income tax on investments of up to £200,000 per tax year.
EIS is for more established startups that want to raise up to £5 million a year. Investors can get 30% off their income tax on investments up to £1 million per tax year.
By using these programmes correctly, startups can make themselves more appealing to potential investors by offering them tax breaks and lowering the risks of investing.
SEIS and EIS Tax Relief – Providing Security and Confidence for Investors
Investors in SEIS- and EIS-approved businesses can claim:
-
Income tax relief of up to 50% (SEIS) or 30% (EIS)
-
Capital Gains Tax exemption on qualifying shares held for three years
-
Loss relief if the investment underperforms
-
Capital Gains Tax deferral (EIS only)
Valentis organises your investment proposal so that it meets HMRC’s strict requirements and makes it more appealing to SEIS/EIS investors. We handle all of the paperwork for compliance and the advance assurance process, so you don’t have to waste time or credibility on rejections or delays.
Valentis SEIS/EIS Advisory: Your Trusted Partner for Tax Relief
We provide:
-
SEIS/EIS advance assurance application drafting
-
HMRC submission and liaison
-
Cap table and share structure advisory
-
Business activity descriptions that align with qualifying trades
-
Post-investment compliance, Form SEIS1/EIS1 completion, and investor certificates (SEIS3/EIS3)
-
Integration with R&D tax credits and valuation planning
Who Should Use SEIS or EIS?
Pre-seed and seed-stage startups raising investment from angels or syndicates
High-growth ventures seeking to offer investors a tax-efficient vehicle
Founders looking to attract capital without giving up control
Businesses preparing for a VC round and needing a clean, compliant share structure
Common SEIS/EIS Mistakes—and How Valentis Can Help You Avoid Them
Many promising businesses lose time or risk their status by:
Submitting incomplete or unclear business activities
Offering non-qualifying preference shares
Missing Form EIS1 submission deadlines
Operating in ineligible sectors without tailored guidance
We handle the details — so you stay focused on your pitch, your investors, and your roadmap.
SEIS/EIS and R&D Tax: They Were Made to Work Together
Getting the most out of your money by using multiple incentives
Adding SEIS/EIS to Research and Development (R&D) tax credits can significantly improve a startup’s financial plan. SEIS/EIS investments generate revenue, but R&D tax credits help improve cash flow by reducing the cost of qualifying R&D expenses. However, careful planning is necessary to ensure that you follow the rules and maximise the benefits, as some interactions between these programmes can affect eligibility and the amount of assistance received. At Valentis, we help you make sense of all these complex things so that your startup can take full advantage of all the available incentives.
Your SEIS/EIS Partner – Why Valentis?
-
Trusted by founders and CFOs across the UK tech and startup ecosystem
-
Deep understanding of venture-backed capital strategy
-
Experience across SaaS, product, ecommerce, biotech, and marketplaces
-
Seamless collaboration with your legal counsel, accountant or investor
-
Transparent pricing and rapid turnaround
Post-Investment SEIS/EIS Compliance Support
The work doesn’t stop when the money comes in. Valentis offers comprehensive post-deal support, including creating investor document packs, planning director pay within SEIS/EIS limits, filing annual reports with HMRC, and monitoring qualifying periods and share disposal requirements.
Investor document packs
Director remuneration planning under SEIS/EIS limits
Annual reporting for HMRC compliance
Tracking of qualifying periods and share disposal requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
HMRC offers SEIS Advance Assurance as an optional yet highly recommended pre-approval process. It enables early-stage businesses to obtain official confirmation from HMRC that their business and planned share issuance qualify for the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) before they commence fundraising.
This advance clearance isn’t a legal guarantee. Still, it provides potential investors with significant peace of mind, as it indicates that their investment is likely to qualify for the generous SEIS tax breaks, which include 50% income tax relief, exemption from capital gains tax, and loss relief if the investment fails to meet its objectives.
Companies must send in a complete application for SEIS Advance Assurance that includes:
A copy of the financial forecast and business plan
A draft of the pitch deck or investment proposal
Details about how the shares will be set up
Details about shareholders and directors
A letter accompanying the application that describes how the money will be used and what the funding goals are
We ensure that your Advance Assurance submission is robust, adheres to HMRC rules, and meets investor expectations at Valentis. This gives you the best chance of getting approval quickly and building trust with angels, syndicates, and early-stage VC backers.
You can apply for both SEIS and EIS, but not simultaneously. Before you can issue any EIS shares, you must first get SEIS funding and issue shares under SEIS. The company must meet the requirements for each programme and not go over the total amount of money available for all of them. You can currently raise to £250,000 under SEIS, then up to £5 million per year under EIS, with a lifetime limit of £12 million (or £20 million for companies that require extensive knowledge).
By applying for both, you can stagger your fundraising across different stages of business growth. This will make investors more interested at the seed and scale-up levels while ensuring you stay compliant with HMRC.
The SEIS/EIS Advance Assurance process typically takes four to six weeks; however, the timeframe can vary depending on HMRC’s workload and the completeness of your submission. After you get money and issue shares, you need to send HMRC the post-investment compliance statement (SEIS1 or EIS1). After that, it could take another 6 to 8 weeks to get the compliance certificates (SEIS3/EIS3) for your investors.
Valentis ensures your application is complete, follows the rules, and is submitted on time, allowing you to move quickly and give your investors confidence from the start.
HMRC does not allow certain business activities to qualify for SEIS and EIS. Some common sectors that are not included are:
Financial services like banking, insurance, and more
Services for the law and accounting
Developing and renting out property
Making steel and coal
Farming and forestry (unless they are very new)
Making electricity with government help
Running or managing hotels and nursing homes
Financing exports, leasing, and some consulting work
Valentis can help you understand the rules, set up your business model accordingly, and clarify your case to HMRC for Advance Assurance if your business is in a grey area.
Plan Growth with a Clearer Financial Lens
Are you looking to raise capital under SEIS? Let’s ensure that every number, forecast, and submission withstands scrutiny. At Valentis, we help ambitious founders secure investor confidence through HMRC-compliant SEIS/EIS structuring, robust financial modelling, and bulletproof documentation.
You’re applying for Advance Assurance, combining SEIS with R&D tax credits, or gearing up for your first venture. We’ll align your funding strategy with long-term scalability and regulatory compliance.
📌 Book your free consultation, let’s turn your growth ambitions into investor-ready reality.