New on the London Stock Exchange: Groundbreaking AIM Venture Capital Trust debut after 18 years
With a Freshened Twist:
Jump on the wave, folks! The first AIM-centric venture capital trust (VCT) in 18 long years splashes onto the London Stock Exchange, as per our resident finance gurus at City AM.
Called Puma AIM VCT, this bad boy comes courtesy of Puma Investments and has already made its debut investment in none other than quantum science company Quantum Base, marking one of AIM's rarest Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of 2025.
Authenticity tech firm Quantum Base officially debuted on the junior stock exchange in March, aiming to scoop up between £3 million and £5 million.
Now, Puma doesn't mess around. In addition to managing an AIM-focused inheritance tax portfolio—which has had a rather impressive doubling in value over the last decade—Puma also handles 14 different VCTs with open arms.
Stuart Rollason and Jonathan Di-Stefano, both directors of the new VCT, bring more than 20 years of AIM experience to the table. Puma's team has also recruited Daniel Cane and Joseph Cornwall, who previously worked on AIM-focused funds at Toscafund Asset Management and Gore Brown, respectively.
Green shoots for AIM?
AIM stocks haven't been exactly bringing in the big bucks as of late. Over the past three years, its index took a 22 percent plunge, while the FTSE All Share index saw a 14 percent climb. It's not all doom and gloom, though. Firms sinking from AIM fell to an all-time low since 2001.
Despite the headwinds AIM is facing, VCTs targeting the junior market continue to captivate investors for their appealing tax benefits. VCT investors walk away with 30 percent upfront income tax relief of up to £200,000 per year, plus tax-free dividends and capital gains on shares' sale.
"The bulls are back! We've managed to raise some serious capital for the investment in growth companies, which we believe are ripe at enticing valuations," Rollason beamed to City AM. "Our purchase of Quantum Base demonstrates our strategy: investing in cutting-edge university spin-offs with unique product lines."
The VCT joins a recently active IPO scene on the London Stock Exchange, sparking hopes for a rejuvenated period of floats. Materials company Cobalt Holdings and fintech specialist Iforex both revealed plans to join the stock market in the not-too-distant future.
[1] Puma AIM VCT represents the first AIM-centric VCT to debut in 18 years, with a focus on delivering attractive returns by investing in AIM-traded firms while offering investors the full spectrum of VCT tax incentives.
[2] Upon listing on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market, Puma AIM VCT gained public access, allowing for trading under official market rules. Prior to its debut, Puma AIM VCT completed a new share offer, with an expected fundraising goal between £3 million and £5 million.
[3] With deep roots in managing AIM-focused investment vehicles, including an AIM-centric inheritance tax portfolio, Puma offers a credible foundation for Puma AIM VCT's launch.
[5] While comprehensive performance data for Puma AIM VCT is emerging following its market entry, a lack of specific performance statistics can be attributed to the Trustnet platform mainly showcasing data for other Puma VCT funds. As Puma AIM VCT continues developing its portfolio of AIM-listed companies, performance will be closely watched.
[1] The debut of Puma AIM VCT marks the first AIM-centric venture capital trust (VCT) in 18 years, bringing together investing in businesses and technology listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM with the tax benefits of a VCT, with the aim of delivering attractive returns.
[2] As a public offering on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market, Puma AIM VCT offers trading under official market rules, having completed a new share offer with a fundraising goal between £3 million and £5 million.
[3] Following the launch of Puma AIM VCT, its credibility in managing AIM-focused investment vehicles, such as an AIM-centric inheritance tax portfolio, positions it as a solid foundation for growth in the general-news sector, particularly within finance and business.
[5] While performance data for Puma AIM VCT is becoming available following its market entry, closer attention will be paid to its development and results as it expands its portfolio of AIM-listed companies, especially amidst a rejuvenated period of floats on the London Stock Exchange, including companies like Cobalt Holdings and fintech specialist Iforex.
