The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), a cornerstone of the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape, commemorates its 30th anniversary this year.
Since its inception in 1994, the EIS has been instrumental in nurturing innovation and driving economic growth, facilitating over £30 billion in private investment into 53,000 startups nationwide.
Milestone Celebration by EISA
The EIS Association (EISA), representing over 400 entrepreneurs, investors, and advisers, marks this significant milestone with reflections on the scheme’s enduring impact. The EISA plans to host a celebratory event in September, bringing together key stakeholders from across the ecosystem to commemorate three decades of the EIS.
Christiana Stewart-Lockhart, Director General of the EIS Association, highlighted the EIS’s pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship and supporting early-stage ventures. The success stories of startups backed by EIS investment, including household names like Revolut and Deliveroo, underscore the scheme’s efficacy in driving innovation and job creation.
Fostering Innovation Across Industries
The EIS has catalysed investment in startups tackling significant societal challenges, including health. Companies like Arecor, GenoMe Diagnostics, and Carcinotech are leveraging EIS funding to pioneer breakthroughs in diabetes management, cancer diagnosis, and drug discovery, respectively.
Stewart-Lockhart reaffirmed the EIS’s importance in sustaining the UK’s position as a global leader in technology and innovation. As the scheme enters its fourth decade, the EISA remains committed to championing UK startups and advocating for policies conducive to entrepreneurship and investment, ensuring continued economic prosperity and innovation.
