The Octopus Titan VCT
Fund Overview
Octopus Titan VCT, managed by Octopus Investments, is the UK’s largest VCT with over £1 billion in net assets and a portfolio of 140+ innovative early-stage companies. Established in 2007, the fund focuses on investing in high-growth technology and tech-enabled businesses. Since its inception, Titan has returned over 100p in tax-free dividends per share to investors.
The minimum investment in the Octopus Titan VCT is £3,000, making it accessible to a wide range of investors.
Investment Strategy
Octopus Titan VCT specializes in early-stage, high-growth technology and tech-enabled companies. The investment strategy includes:
- Sector Focus: Health, FinTech, DeepTech, BioTech, Climate, and B2B Software.
- Diversified Portfolio: 140+ companies spread across multiple high-growth sectors.
- Active Management: Strategic support and follow-on investments to nurture portfolio companies.
Recent Highlights:
- Over 25 new investments completed in 2023.
- Examples include companies like Cazoo and Depop, which achieved significant growth and exits.
Performance Metrics
| Year | NAV Total Return (%) | Dividends Paid (p/share) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | - | 5.00 |
| 2023 | -19.8 | 3.00 |
| 2022 | -10.2 | 9.7 |
Five-Year Performance Summary: The total return from 2018 to 2023 was 5.2%, including dividends paid. The cumulative dividends paid to date amount to 100p per share.
Tax Benefits
Investors benefit from:
- 30% income tax relief: Available for investments up to £200,000 annually.
- Tax-free dividends: Receive regular income payments without tax obligations.
- Capital gains tax exemption: No CGT on share disposals.
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.
Fund Documents
Contact Information
- Phone: 0800 316 2295
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Octopus Titan VCT
Why Consider Access EIS Instead?
Both Octopus Titan VCT and Access EIS provide tax-efficient investment opportunities, but they cater to different investor needs:
| Feature | Octopus Titan VCT | Access EIS |
|---|---|---|
| Investment Focus | Established high-growth technology and tech-enabled companies | Early-stage, high-growth UK startups |
| Minimum Investment | £3,000 | £5,000 |
| Tax Benefits |
- 30% Income Tax Relief - Tax-Free Dividends - Capital Gains Tax Exemption |
- 30% Income Tax Relief - Capital Gains Tax Deferral |
| Liquidity | Limited liquidity through buyback schemes | Illiquid, with returns realized after ~5–7 years |
| Dividends | Regular, tax-free dividends | No dividends; all profits reinvested |
| Risk Level | Moderate to High | Very High |