SEIS & EIS: reaching tax-efficient investors
The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) and the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) are UK government schemes that give investors tax reliefs for backing qualifying early-stage and growing companies. For eligible businesses, SEIS/EIS status can make an opportunity considerably more attractive to the right investors — which is why matching to investors who actively consider tax-efficient investments matters. This page explains the essentials and how InvestorMap helps SEIS/EIS-eligible businesses reach relevant investors.
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Last reviewed: 13 July 2026
What SEIS is
SEIS is designed for the earliest-stage companies. It offers investors some of the most generous reliefs available, reflecting the higher risk of very early investment. In broad terms, SEIS is aimed at smaller, younger companies raising their first external equity.
Typical investor reliefs (illustrative — always confirm current rules with HMRC or an adviser):
- Up to 50% income tax relief on qualifying investments, within the annual investor limit.
- Capital gains reliefs on reinvested gains.
- Loss relief if the investment does not succeed.
- Inheritance tax reliefs may apply after a qualifying holding period.
What EIS is
EIS supports slightly larger and more established companies than SEIS, with reliefs that are still substantial but pitched for a later stage of growth.
Typical investor reliefs (illustrative — confirm current rules):
- Up to 30% income tax relief on qualifying investments, within the annual investor limit.
- Capital gains tax exemption on the EIS shares after the qualifying holding period.
- Loss relief and potential inheritance tax reliefs.
SEIS vs EIS — the headline differences
| SEIS | EIS | |
|---|---|---|
| Stage | Earliest-stage companies | Early to growth-stage companies |
| Company size (broad guide) | Smaller / very early | Larger, more established |
| Investor income tax relief | Up to 50% | Up to 30% |
Eligibility rules — including company age, size, employee numbers, gross assets and qualifying trades — are set by HMRC and change over time. Advance assurance from HMRC is a separate process. InvestorMap focuses on investor matching, not on preparing or submitting SEIS/EIS applications.
Why investor matching matters for SEIS/EIS
Not every investor is looking for tax-efficient opportunities, and not every SEIS/EIS-eligible business suits every investor. Some investors actively seek SEIS or EIS qualifying deals for the reliefs; others do not factor them in at all. Within that pool, many focus on particular sectors or stages. Realising the full benefit of eligibility therefore depends on getting the opportunity in front of investors whose criteria genuinely include tax-efficient investments of your stage and size — which is exactly what investor matching is for. Presenting SEIS/EIS eligibility to a broad, unmatched list dilutes its value; presenting it to relevant, interested investors sharpens it. This is why InvestorMap researches investor criteria and builds a targeted shortlist rather than broadcasting your opportunity widely.
How InvestorMap helps SEIS/EIS-eligible businesses
Being SEIS or EIS eligible is only valuable if the right investors hear about the opportunity. InvestorMap matches SEIS/EIS-eligible businesses to relevant investors from our UK and international contact base — investors whose criteria include tax-efficient opportunities of your stage and size. We research those criteria, build a targeted shortlist, approach suitable investors on your behalf, present the opportunity and test for genuine interest.
If there is a fit, this happens within the £995 Business Review & Teaser Pitch stage. Where genuine investor interest is shown, the process moves into Pitch Deck Review & Coaching.
Related reading
- Funding Types — where equity and SEIS/EIS sit among the funding options.
- Investment Stages — matching stage to the right scheme and investors.
- Find Investors — how investor matching works.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between SEIS and EIS?
Broadly, SEIS is for the earliest-stage companies and offers investors up to 50% income tax relief; EIS is for slightly larger, more established companies and offers up to 30%. Exact eligibility is set by HMRC and changes over time.
Do you handle SEIS/EIS applications or advance assurance?
No. InvestorMap focuses on matching SEIS/EIS-eligible businesses to relevant investors, not on preparing or submitting applications. Advance assurance is a separate HMRC process.
Can you find SEIS/EIS investors for my business?
We can match your eligible opportunity against investors in our UK and international database whose criteria include tax-efficient investments, build a targeted shortlist and approach suitable investors on your behalf. We cannot guarantee investor interest or funding.
How do I start?
With the free initial assessment, where we consider whether there is a credible investable proposition and whether InvestorMap is the right route.
This page is general information about SEIS and EIS and is not tax or financial advice. Rules and limits change; confirm the current position with HMRC or a qualified adviser.
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Last reviewed: 13 July 2026