Dr Nigel Pitchford - o2h Ventures

May 13 2019

Nigel is the CEO of Ieso Digital Health Limited – the world leading digital health company specialising in evidence-based online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Prior to joining Ieso he was the Chief Investment Officer for Touchstone Innovations plc and was responsible for all of the Group’s investment activities, which were concentrated on UK-based start-ups in the Healthcare and Technology sectors. During his tenure, the active venture portfolio grew to some 50 companies with corresponding value growth in excess of £350m. Previously he had been a partner at DFJ Esprit and 3i and was an active investor across Europe and the US. His previous investments include Domantis (sold to GSK), Arakis (sold to Sosei Pharma), Apatech (sold to Baxter), Endosense (sold to St Jude), EUSA Pharma (sold to Jazz), Horizon Discovery (AIM: HZD) and Oxford Immunotec (NASDAQ: OXFD).

Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk

What are the key risks?

• If the business you invest in fails, you are likely to lose 100% of the money you invest. Most start-up businesses fail.

2 – You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong

• Protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), in relation to claims against failed regulated firms, does not cover poor investment performance. Try the FSCS investment protection checker here. (https://www.fscs.org.uk/check/investment-protection-checker)

• Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here. (https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers)

3 – You won’t get your money back quickly

• Even if the business you invest in is successful, it may take several years to get your money back. You are unlikely to be able to sell your investment early.

• The most likely way to get your money back is if the business is bought by another business or lists its shares on an exchange such as the London Stock Exchange. These events are not common.

• If you are investing in a start-up business, you should not expect to get your money back through dividends. Start-up businesses rarely pay these.

4 – Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

• Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.

• A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments (https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart/5-questions-ask-you-invest)

5 – The value of your investment can be reduced

• The percentage of the business that you own will decrease if the business issues more shares. This could mean that the value of your investment reduces, depending on how much the business grows. Most start-up businesses issue multiple rounds of shares.

• These new shares could have addition rights that your shares don’t have, such as the right to receive a fixed dividend, which could further reduce your chances of getting a return on your investment.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA’s website here (https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart)

Risk Information