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.

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Our Legal Policy

Last updated: 01 July 2026

This warning and disclaimer explains certain regulatory restrictions which may apply to the contents of this website and any services that we may provide.

Anti-Money Laundering ("AML") Policy:

The Sapphire Capital Partners LLP's Policy is designed to prevent money laundering by meeting the UK AML legislation obligations including the need to have adequate systems and controls in place to mitigate the risk of the firm being used to facilitate financial crime. This AML Policy sets out the minimum standards which must be complied with and includes:

1) The appointment of a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) who has sufficient level of seniority and independence and who has responsibility for oversight of compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, rules and industry guidance;

2) Establishing and maintaining a Risk Based Approach (RBA) towards assessing and managing the money laundering and terrorist financing risks to the company; Establishing and maintaining risk-based customer due diligence, identification, verification and know your customer (KYC) procedures, including enhanced due diligence for those customers presenting higher risk, such as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs);

3) Establishing and maintaining risk based systems and procedures to monitor on-going customer activity; Procedures for reporting suspicious activity internally and to the relevant law enforcement authorities as appropriate;

4) The maintenance of appropriate records for the minimum prescribed periods; and

5) Training and awareness for all relevant employee.

Sapphire or Sapphire Capital means Sapphire Capital Partners LLP and any of its affiliates, subsidiaries, associated entities and any of their offices. Issued by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP.

The contents of this site have been prepared solely for information purposes. The information contained on this site is not, and should not be construed as: (i) an invitation or inducement (direct or indirect) to any person to engage in investment activity for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) or far any other purpose; (ii) investment advice to any person pursuant to Article 53 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001. Further, none of the information contained on this site constitutes an offer to buy or sell, or a solicitation by or on behalf of Sapphire Capital Partners LLP (“Sapphire Capital”) to buy or sell, any security, product, service or investment.

Some products or services referred to on this website may not be available to retail clients in the UK. The information provided on this site is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation.

The information on this website has been obtained from sources which Sapphire Capital believe to be reliable and accurate at the date of publication, but no warranty is given as to accuracy. Sapphire Capital is not responsible for the accuracy of information contained within any documents, articles or blogs reproduced from third party sources or for any third party sites or for any links to or from our pages. The information contained in this website is not comprehensive. Despite our efforts to check and update the information on this website on a regular basis, it may not be accurate, up to date or applicable to the circumstances of any particular case. Sapphire Capital has not reviewed or approved any information contained in any website accessed through a hyperlink from the Sapphire Capital website, and Sapphire Capital accepts no liability for any direct, indirect, special, consequential or other losses or damages of whatsoever kind arising out of access to, or use of, any hyperlinked website or any information contained therein.

No warranty is given as to the freedom of this website from defects, viruses, malicious program or macro. Any opinions expressed to be made by or on behalf of Sapphire Capital are its judgement at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Sapphire Capital, its partners, employees and advisers disclaim liability for any direct damages suffered by any person arising from the information contained in this website. Under no circumstances shall Sapphire Capital be liable to any person for any special, indirect or consequential damages of any kind.

Sapphire Capital does not accept any liability or guarantee in respect of the timeliness, accuracy and completeness of the information provided in this website or for any errors or omissions by Sapphire Capital in connection with this website. The information published on this website is subject to change without notice. If you require additional information, you should contact appropriate Sapphire Capital personnel. Prior to making any investment in property or any other form of investment, you should seek independent professional investment advice by an appropriately authorised person.

Sapphire Capital is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"). The Sapphire Capital FCA registered number is 565716. Please note that property is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and therefore clients that invest directly in property are not covered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Financial Ombudsman Service ("FOS") is an agency for arbitrating on unresolved complaints between regulated firms and their clients. Full details of the FOS can be found on its website at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.

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Investing in start-ups and early-stage businesses involves risks, including illiquidity, lack of dividends, loss of investment and dilution. It should be done only as part of a diversified portfolio. Any investments are targeted exclusively at investors who understand the risks of investing in early-stage businesses and can make their own investment decisions. Any pitches for investment are not offers to the public. Investments made in investee companies via funds managed by Sapphire Capital Partners LLP are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For more details please contact us or refer to their website: https://www.fscs.org.uk/

In providing information about Sapphire Capital Partners LLP ("Sapphire") and Sapphire's services, Sapphire is not communicating and does not intend to communicate any invitation or inducement to any person to make any investment or divestment or to engage in investment activity, and is not offering to acquire or dispose of securities. Investors should consider carefully whether an investment in a fund managed by Sapphire is suitable for them in light of the information in the respective information memorandum and with to their personal circumstances. Sapphire is not issuing, promulgating or providing any financial or other advice to any person. Before investing, investors are recommended to consult an appropriately authorised independent financial adviser.

 

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Important scam warning:

These scams may involve unsolicited contact, online messaging or requests to invest. Often, they require you to send money to access your account (which they claim has made a large profit). Sapphire does not make unsolicited calls (by phone or text).

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from Sapphire (using names such as “Elizabeth Collins”), it is likely a scam. Do not send money or share information. Please let us know and report the matter to FCA ScamSmart.

Sapphire Capital Partners LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Sapphire is listed on the Financial Services Register.

 

Firm Reference Number is 565716.

 

Registered in Northern Ireland, number NC000562. Registered office: 28 Deramore Park, Belfast BT9 5JU.

Investing in start-ups and early-stage companies involves risks, including illiquidity, lack of dividends,
loss of investment and dilution. Please read the Risk Warnings before investing. 

Investments should only be made by investors who understand these risks. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and is subject to change
in future. 

Communications with our team are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice.

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. Take 2 mins to learn more.

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