Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. These are high-risk investments and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.

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Risk summary for non-readily realisable securities which are shares:

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

Last updated: 01 July 2026

What are the key risks?
  1. 1. You could lose all the money you invest

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

  2. 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

    or use this URL link:

    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 this service from the following Financial Ombudsman Service Protection

    or use this URL link:

    www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/consumers.

  3. 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. 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 anyone to do well.

    A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments.

    Read more at the FCA InvestSmart Guide

    or use this URL link:

    www.fca.org.uk/investsmart/5-questions-ask-you-invest

    5. The value of your investment can be reduced

    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 anyone to do well.

    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 additional 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 website:

    FCA InvestSmart

    or use this URL link:

    www.fca.org.uk/investsmart.

    Please find the PDF version of the Risk Summary.

Love Ventures 25-02531
Love Ventures 25-02531

Incubating Excellence: How Sapphire Enabled Love Ventures’ Evolution from Angel Syndicate to Venture Fund Leader

Fund Type EIS Venture Capital Funds Challenge Launching a venture fund is challenging, regardless of experience. The team at Love Ventures VC Limited recognised the importance of having an experienced investment manager to guide them. Sapphire was selected because of our success in launchi...

Fund: EIS Venture Capital Funds
Product: Love Ventures Fund I

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Investment deals
completed

0
years

Sapphire
as fund manager

0

Fund launched
with Sapphire

"Working with Sapphire has been instrumental in managing three successful Love Ventures funds. Their extensive knowledge of investment management, understanding of the regulatory landscape, and professional support have been invaluable. Over the first four years, Sapphire's partnership and guidance were proven to be transformative, providing practical solutions, timely assistance, and strategic insights that have enhanced every aspect of the Love Ventures funds and our operational journey."

Marus Love
Marcus Love, Co-Founder and General Partner @ Love Ventures VC Limited

"We recognised early on that we would need expert guidance to help us launch our venture capital funds. Sapphire was the perfect fit. They helped us launch three funds, providing comprehensive investment management and investor relations services. Additionally, Sapphire supplied essential regulatory compliance oversight during our critical period of launching the three funds. Their assistance was invaluable."

Marcus Love-1
Adrian Love, Co-Founder and General Partner @ Love Ventures VC Limited

About Love Ventures

Love Ventures believes that the next decade will be shaped by innovative tools and technologies that enhance productivity, allowing people and businesses to work smarter and achieve sustained growth. Currently, Love Ventures operates as an EIS fund, investing from pre-Seed to Series A in founders who boost UK productivity. Their focus includes fintech, the future of work, and consumer technology — sectors where emerging technologies create real-world impact. The Love Ventures team is committed to investing in the future of finance by expanding access to capital, improving financial well-being, and modernising the systems that drive the economy.

Screenshot 2025-11-02 at 17.11.33
the challenge

Founded in 2020 by Marcus and Adrian Love, Love Ventures VC Limited was formed to transition their successful angel syndicate into a dedicated venture capital fund targeting early-stage technology and growth enterprises. Collectively, they had backed more than 20 early-stage businesses and assumed numerous board positions within the UK technology and fintech markets. In establishing their inaugural fund, they recognised the importance of partnering with a seasoned FCA-authorised investment manager with proven expertise in setting up and managing multiple venture capital funds.

the solution

Sapphire collaborated extensively with Love Ventures to draft all key fund documentation, including the information memorandum, key information document, and application form, while providing comprehensive support throughout the fund launch and ongoing investment management process. By combining Sapphire’s depth of regulatory expertise and strong investment management platform with Love Ventures’ track record in identifying high-potential companies, the partnership enabled the successful establishment of Love Ventures’ first three investment funds.

Love Ventures 25-02184 (1)
Love Ventures 25-02184 (1)

A key driver behind Love Ventures’ selection of Sapphire was the firm’s extensive track record and specialist proficiency in venture capital fund management, having successfully established and overseen more than 50 venture capital funds prior to engaging with Love Ventures. Sapphire’s proactive, expert team provided hands-on support throughout the entire process, ensuring a seamless transition from initial planning to the launch of a fully operational investment fund.

 

“Over the first four years, Sapphire's partnership and guidance were proven to be transformative, providing practical solutions, timely assistance, and strategic insights that have enhanced every aspect of the Love Ventures funds and our operational journey."

 

Marcus Love, Love Ventures VC Limited Co-Founder.

the results

Sapphire structured a comprehensive regulatory framework that enabled Love Ventures to focus on sourcing high-calibre early-stage investment opportunities. Following the successful launch of Love Ventures Fund I, Sapphire continued to work closely with the Love Ventures team, facilitating the introduction of two subsequent funds.

 

This strategic collaboration enabled Love Ventures to leverage Sapphire’s operational acumen, investment management, and proficiency, culminating in Love Ventures securing its own FCA authorisation in July 2024. Sapphire’s capabilities in early-stage fund incubation and its sector-driven methodology played a pivotal role in underpinning Love Ventures’ ongoing achievements and sustained growth.

Love Ventures 25-02473
Love Ventures 25-02473
next steps

If you would like advice on setting up an investment fund, such as a GP/LP fund or an EIS fund, or if you need an FCA authorised operator and manager to manage a fund, or need pricing and options, contact us, and we will be in touch right away.

Disclaimer:
Sapphire Capital Partners LLP ("Sapphire") is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 565716). The case study above is illustrative only and does not represent investment performance or future outcomes and the content on this webpage is intended solely to explain Sapphire’s fund-management and advisory services. It is not a financial promotion for the purposes of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or an inducement to engage in any regulated investment activity. Nothing on this page should be interpreted as a recommendation regarding any investment, fund, scheme or structure. Any person considering an investment should obtain independent financial, legal and tax advice. Investments in start-ups, early-stage businesses and venture capital funds involve high risks, including the risk of losing all capital invested, illiquidity, and dilution. Tax treatments, including SEIS/EIS reliefs, depend on personal circumstances and may change. Communications with Sapphire’s staff are for general information only and should not be relied upon to make investment decisions.

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