TIDMTV1
Thames Ventures VCT 1 plc
LEI: 213800R88MRC4Y3OIW86
Half-Yearly Report for the
Six months ended 30 September 2022
Financial Summary
30 Sep 31 Mar 30 Sep Nov
2022 2022 2021 2013
pence pence pence pence
Unaudited Audited Unaudited Unaudited
--------------------------------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Net Asset Value per share ("NAV") 58.80 61.60 61.30 100.40
---------------------------------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Cumulative dividends paid since
Nov 2013 43.00 41.25 40.00 -
---------------------------------- --------- ------- --------- ---------
Total Return 101.80 102.85 101.30 100.40
(NAV plus cumulative dividends
paid per share)
Chairman's Statement
I present the Company's half-yearly report for the six-month
period ended 30 September 2022.
Net asset value and results
As at 30 September 2022, the Company's NAV stood at 58.8p, a
decrease of 1.05p (or 1.7%) compared to the 31 March 2022 year-end
position, after adding back the 1.75p dividend paid during the
period.
The return attributable to equity shareholders for the period
was a loss of GBP2.0 million, comprising a revenue gain of GBP1.9
million and a capital loss of GBP3.9 million. The reduction in
value of the Company's investments over the period is broadly
reflective of the general market conditions for the types of
businesses in which the Company invests.
Investment Advisory Arrangements and Change of name
As noted in the Annual Report, Foresight Group LLP ("Foresight")
was appointed as Investment Adviser to the Company following
agreement by the Company's former Investment Adviser, Downing LLP
("Downing") to sell its non-healthcare ventures division to
Foresight in a transaction that completed on 4 July 2022.
As part of the transaction, under a subcontract with Foresight,
Downing continues to provide investment advisory services for the
non-ventures portfolio (quoted growth and yield focused
investments), as well as administration services for a handover
period.
On 2 September 2022, the Company changed its name from Downing
ONE VCT plc to Thames Ventures VCT 1 plc to recognise the change of
Investment Adviser.
Investment activity and performance
Over the last six months the Company has made a number of new
and follow-on investments totalling GBP5.7 million, as well as
completing full and partial exits from a number of portfolio
companies, generating total proceeds of GBP6.8 million.
Following a review of valuations by the Board, net unrealised
losses across the whole portfolio over the period were GBP3.5
million. In addition, the realisations noted above, resulted in a
net realised losses in the period of GBP218,000, although there was
a gain over cost of GBP1.6 million.
At the period end, the Company held a portfolio of 87 active
investments, with 54% in unquoted growth (by value), 27% held in
quoted growth and 19% in unquoted yield focused investments.
34 investments are held in the quoted growth category which are
either quoted on AIM, the Main Market or the AQSE Growth Market and
have a value of GBP22.0 million. The 53 unquoted investments have a
value of GBP59.1 million.
Further details of the investment activities of the Company are
included in the Investment Adviser's Report below.
Dividends
The Company has a stated policy of seeking to pay dividends
equivalent to at least 4% of NAV each year. The Board has declared
an interim dividend of 1.5p (equivalent to 2.6% of NAV) which will
be paid on 18 January 2023 to Shareholders on the register as at 16
December 2022.
The above interim dividend will take the total dividends paid
since the merger in November 2013 to 44.5p per share.
Running costs
Shareholders are reminded that as part of the change of adviser,
Foresight and Downing agreed to waive the investment advisory fee
for the quarter ended June 2022, which was equivalent to
approximately GBP548,000. As a reminder, the Company also benefits
from a running cost cap provided by the Investment Adviser, whereby
any costs above 2.6% of net assets per annum are met by the Adviser
by way of a reduction in their fees.
Fundraising
The Company launched a non-Prospectus top-up offer in November
2021, seeking to raise up to GBP6.7 million. The offer closed at
the end of April 2022 having raised GBP1.9 million.
At the end of October 2022, the Company launched a new offer for
subscription, the first to be promoted for the Company by
Foresight, seeking to raise up to GBP10 million (plus an
over-allotment facility). Funds raised will support further
investment activity in supporting and expanding the portfolio.
Shareholders who may be interested in a further investment in
the Company, benefiting from the upfront VCT tax reliefs, can find
full details of the new offer on the Foresight's website:
https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=IM5R0Buez7LWaSzTauLDpT-yGu8HcF-nUKROf267qA74UeNd5Vsw5GO4UpD9bxO3BdnYjSYfiLklNr_KEsnw_54CaxHStRXEYyoFAjuEMwAzpT7t7QaWUdiYCWTBoTDO7D-59zQl079gAsPxShKNqceliqhzV_OAvXqHYvrm08M=
www.foresightgroup.eu/products/
https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=r3ZQEttSz-U00YTFytnQZBhQOSWH2MZrcq8WmfKNi5BrpufNyjaIQt5ty8EwvkINcb4pQ3ezf7mH9BADcquqIAuWix6v6ZwVK-2VhpMgyZ_E8q92bvFbeCRbzp8LtPndEU5QGFdzVynY84m1zrs9qUYVeGveZK8RJADQBWrkXaY=
thames-ventures-vct-1-plc
Existing Shareholders in any Foresight VCTs, including Thames
Ventures VCT 1 plc, should note that they will benefit from the
upfront promoter fee being waived under this new offer.
Investors are recommended to consult their financial adviser
before making any investment decisions.
Share buybacks
The Company operates a policy of buying in its own shares that
become available in the market at a 5% discount to NAV (subject to
liquidity and any regulatory restrictions).
During the period, the Company purchased 1,323,068 shares (equal
to 0.7% of the opening number of shares in issue) at an average
price of 56.9p per share.
Directorate
Following the successful transfer of the Investment Advisory
contract from Downing to Foresight, Stuart Goldsmith, the remaining
founding director of the Company, has indicated that he will not
stand for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting, which is
expected to be in August 2023.
As a result, the Board undertook a process with a head-hunter to
identify suitable individuals to join the Board. I can report that
the process was successful and has produced an excellent
candidate.
We are pleased to announce that Atul Devani has today joined the
Board as a non-executive director of the Company. Atul is currently
the chairman of another VCT and has held a number of senior
positions in software technology companies operating in a number of
sectors. Previously he was the founder and CEO of AIM-quoted
company, United Clearing plc, which was sold to a trade buyer in
2006. The Directors believe that, with his experience within the
technology sector as well as in the VCT world, he will be a welcome
and invaluable addition to the Board. My fellow directors and I
look forward to working with him.
Outlook
With the investment team now settled in their new home at
Foresight, we are expecting to see more investment activity in the
second half of the year as we seek to invest existing and newly
raised funds.
Businesses in general now face multiple challenges including
inflation, recession and the wide-ranging impact of the war in
Ukraine. Having successfully negotiated the impact of the
coronavirus pandemic, the investment team will once again be
monitoring the existing portfolio companies closely to ensure
management address these challenges appropriately and have the
support that they need.
While this climate does not make us optimistic that significant
improvements to the NAV will be seen in the short term, this point
in the economic cycle can often provide good value investment
opportunities which go on to be some of the most successful
investments in the future. We will be looking to our Investment
Adviser to identify and secure such potential opportunities for the
Company in order to drive long term performance.
Chris Kay
Chairman
Investment Adviser's Report
We are pleased to present our first Investment Adviser's Report
as Foresight Group LLP, following the acquisition by Foresight of
Downing LLPs' non-healthcare ventures investment team in the
summer.
Introduction to the Foresight Group
Foresight is a leading private equity and infrastructure
investment manager with its parent company, Foresight Group
Holdings Limited, listed on the London Stock Exchange. Established
in 1984, Foresight has a track record of over 35 years of investing
into and growing small companies. Foresight and companies and
undertakings within the same group (together, Foresight Group) now
have more than GBP12.5 billion of assets under management and a
wide and varied investor base of private and institutional
investors. Foresight Group's vision is to be a leader in investing
in trends ahead of the curve through its dynamic and
entrepreneurial values of flexibility, innovation, problem solving
and a commitment to attracting and retaining high quality and
experienced staff.
We are pleased to report that the team that transferred from
Downing is now well settled and is recruiting in line with
expansion plans. We are also now starting to benefit from working
with other teams within Foresight to generate new deal flow.
Investment focus
In line with the current VCT regulations, the Company focus has
for some years now been on young unquoted growth businesses. This
focus will continue and other areas of Thames Ventures VCT 1's
portfolio are expected to reduce in size as suitable exit
opportunities arise and proceeds are reinvested in the core
area.
Investment Activity
During the period, the Company invested a total of GBP3.9
million as further funding for nine existing portfolio
companies.
In addition to the above, a new company joined the portfolio as
part of the consideration from the exit of E-Fundamentals (Group)
Limited in July 2022, with a cost of GBP1.7 million, CommerceIQ,
Inc. CommerceIQ, Inc provides e-commerce management tools for the
management of retail media, sales and operations.
The follow-on investments are summarised as follow:
A further GBP825,000 was invested into current portfolio
company, StorageOS Inc, a cloud-based storage management software
system in a new funding round that was undertaken at a lower price
that the previous round, thus resulting in a lower valuation for
our holding.
GBP789,000 was invested into Vivacity Labs Limited, who provide
artificial intelligence sensors to monitor and control traffic
flows, in order to facilitate international expansion.
A further investment of GBP587,000 was made in Glisser Limited,
an award-winning event hosting platform for virtual and in-person
events. Although we believe that the company still has the
potential to deliver on its plan, latest fundraising was undertaken
at a lower valuation than the previous round which has resulted in
an unrealised loss for the period.
FVRVS Limited, trading as Fundamental VR, provides surgery
simulation software for enterprise clients and hospitals. A total
of GBP537,000 further investment was made following a loan note
conversion and equity addition.
GBP320,000 of further investment was made into Maestro Media
Limited, who have developed an online streaming platform in
collaboration with the BBC, that offers consumers personal and
insightful lessons from leading creative talents.
FundingXchange Limited, who are a SME funding platform, closed a
GBP3 million funding round in July 2022, with the VCT investing a
further GBP285,000.
Two smaller investments were also made during the period into
Upp Technologies Group Limited (GBP59,000) and Channel Mum Limited
(GBP20,000).
One quoted investment was made in the period into existing
investment, Downing Strategic Micro-Cap Investment Trust plc. The
company seeks to provide investors with long term growth through a
concentrated portfolio of UK listed companies. Following a
well-priced opportunity, a further investment of GBP502,000 was
made.
Realisations of unquoted investments in the six months generated
proceeds of GBP6.8 million and gains over cost of GBP1.6
million.
A summary of the most significant realisations is shown
below:
E-Fundamentals (Group) Limited, a Software as a Service (SaaS)
analytics company was fully exited during the period with
consideration made up of cash proceeds (GBP1.6 million), shares in
CommerceIQ, Inc (GBP1.7m) and deferred consideration (GBP340,000),
generating total proceeds of GBP3.6 million, resulting in a gain
over cost of GBP2.1 million.
Unquoted yield focussed investee company, Harrogate Street LLP,
a property developer, was fully exited in June 2022, generating
cash proceeds of GBP2.75 million, resulting in a gain over cost of
GBP1.3 million.
One disappointing exit during the period related to Rockhopper
Renewables Limited, one of the Indian solar farm companies.
Following a series of setbacks, the company was disposed of in full
for nil consideration, resulting in a loss over cost of
GBP738,000.
Portfolio valuation
There were net unrealised valuation losses of GBP3.5 million
over the period, which included GBP2.3 million of unrealised
foreign exchange gains. The largest unrealised valuation loss
related to StorageOS Inc, (GBP2.0 million) which has been revalued
based on the recent fundraising round.
The other notable unrealised losses on investments in the period
were as follows:
A full provision of GBP1.7 million was made against the
investment in Hummingbird Technologies Limited, the crop analytics
platform. The business had failed to make satisfactory progress and
attempts to find new funding failed. Ultimately, parts of the
business were sold but the proceeds were insufficient to provide
any return for the Company.
Baron House Developments LLP, which was created to fund the
purchase of a property opposite Newcastle railway station, was
reduced in value by GBP1.0 million in line with anticipated exit
proceeds. However, it should be noted that the investment is still
valued at GBP474,000 above cost.
The quoted investment, Downing Strategic Micro-Cap Investment
Trust plc incurred an unrealised loss of GBP875,000 which is
broadly in line with the trend of small cap share prices.
The losses were partially offset by a number of unrealised gains
in the period. Cornelis Networks Inc provides purpose-built
interconnects focused on high performance computing, data analytics
and artificial intelligence. During the period, the company closed
a $29 million round to provide further cash runway. The investment
has been valued at a 10% discount to the latest funding round,
resulting in an unrealised gain of GBP1.6 million. The business
continues to perform well and is developing the next generation
400G product, which is expected to launch in the first quarter of
2024.
Hackajob Limited, the owner of an online marketplace for hiring
technical talent, has continued to progress well during the period.
The business has seen recurring revenues continuing to grow, and a
signed term sheet by a new US growth fund to invest $20 million as
part of a $25 million round, expected to close imminently. As a
result, the valuation was uplifted by GBP1.4 million.
Maestro Media Limited has been valued in line with the June 2022
equity raise, led by new investor BGF, resulting in an uplift of
GBP617,000.
Since the period end, we have seen Sterling regain strength
against the US Dollar, which has resulted a reversal of some of the
exchange gains we saw over the period. However, we have also seen
improving share prices within the AIM portfolio which has offset
most of the negative foreign exchange movement since the period
end.
Quoted Investments
The Company continues to hold a portfolio of quoted investments,
most of which are quoted on the AIM market. The team at Downing LLP
continue to provide management services in respect of these
investments under a subcontract agreement with Foresight.
At 30 September 2022, the quoted portfolio comprised 34
investments with a value of GBP22.0 million. There was very limited
investment activity in the portfolio in the period, with the
challenging market conditions ensuring there were almost no
VCT-qualifying IPOs or secondary offers. The existing quoted
portfolio saw falls in prices across almost all investments, very
much following the general trend of the AIM market, producing
unrealised losses of GBP5.2 million. The underlying companies
continued to trade resiliently, albeit this was not reflected in
share prices. Since the period end, share prices have begun to
recover.
The coming months are likely to remain challenging and it is
difficult to be hugely positive in the short-term. However, the
quoted portfolio contains good quality companies, with plenty of
scope for self-help, strong balance sheets, and significant
prospects for growth over the long-term which we hope will
translate into an improved share price performance.
Outlook
The six months to 30 September 2022, our first as investment
adviser, has been against a backdrop of increasingly challenging
market conditions, with inflation and global interest rates rising,
having an inevitable impact on the portfolio.
Despite these challenges, the Company has funds to invest, as
well as the new funds being raised, which we believe can be
invested in attractive new growth opportunities which can drive
performance in the future. We expect the Company to be an active
investor over the remainder of the year.
Thames Ventures Team
Foresight Group LLP
Unaudited Balance Sheet
as at 30 September 2022
30 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
2022 2021 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Fixed assets
---------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Investments 81,130 94,932 85,954
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Current assets
---------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Debtors 5,896 1,630 3,300
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Cash at bank and in hand 20,051 13,732 20,856
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
25,947 15,362 24,156
---------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year (1,298) (510) (637)
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Net current assets 24,649 14,852 23,519
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Net assets 105,779 109,784 109,473
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Capital and reserves
---------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Called up share capital 1,799 1,790 1,776
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Capital redemption reserve 1,711 1,675 1,697
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Share premium account 81,236 78,561 79,035
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Funds held in respect
of shares not yet allotted 16 30 78
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Special reserve 15,873 17,435 16,328
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Revaluation reserve 6,024 13,863 11,303
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Revenue reserve (880) (3,570) (744)
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Equity shareholders' funds 105,779 109,784 109,473
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Basic and diluted net 58.8p 61.3p 61.6p
asset value per share
----------------------------- ------- ------- -------
Unaudited Income Statement
For the six months ended 30 September 2022
Year
Six months ended Six months ended ended
30 September 30 September 31 March
2022 2021 2022
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Income 2,710 - 2,710 732 - 732 4,584
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
(Losses)/gains
on investments
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
- realised (losses)/
gains
on disposal - (218) (218) - 808 808 3,722
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
- unrealised
valuation
(losses)/gains - (5,811) (5,811) - 7,313 7,313 4,386
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
- unrealised foreign
exchange
gains - 2,301 2,301 - 224 224 511
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
2,710 (3,728) (1,018) 732 8,345 9,077 13,203
----------------------- ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
Investment
management fees (275) (275) (550) (490) (490) (980) (2,102)
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
Other expenses (388) - (388) (401) - (401) (705)
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
(Loss)/gain on
ordinary activities
before tax 2,047 (4,003) (1,956) (159) 7,855 7,696 10,396
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
Tax on total
comprehensive
income and ordinary
activities (78) 78 - (140) 140 - -
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
(Loss)/return
attributable to
equity
shareholders 1,969 (3,925) (1,956) (299) 7,995 7,696 10,396
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
Basic and diluted
return per share 1.1p (2.2p) (1.1p) (0.2p) 4.5p 4.3p 5.9p
------------------------ ------- -------- -------- ------- ------- ------- ---------
The total column within the Income Statement represents the
Statement of Total Comprehensive Income of the Company prepared in
accordance with Financial Reporting Standards ("FRS102"). There are
no other items of comprehensive income. The supplementary revenue
and capital return columns are prepared in accordance with the
Statement of Recommended Practice issued in November 2014 and
updated July 2022 by the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC
SORP").
Statement of Changes in Equity
For the six months ended 30 September 2022
Capital Capital
Share redemption Share Funds held in respect of shares Special reserve Revaluation Revenue
Capital reserve premium account not yet allotted reserve -realised reserve reserve Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
For the six months ended 30 September 2022
--------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
At 1 Apr 2022 1,776 1,697 79,035 78 16,328 - 11,303 (744) 109,473
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - - - (415) (3,510) 1,969 (1,956)
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
Transfer
between
reserves* - - - - 301 1,468 (1,769) - -
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
Transactions with owners
--------------------------------------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
Utilised in
share issue - - - (78) - - - - (78)
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
Unallotted
shares - - - 16 - - - - 16
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
Dividends paid - - - - - (1,053) - (2,105) (3,158)
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
Issue of new
shares 37 - 2,201 - - - - - 2,238
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
Purchase of
own shares (14) 14 - - (756) - - - (756)
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
At 30 Sept 2022 1,799 1,711 81,236 16 15,873 - 6,024 (880) 105,779
---------------- -------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------------------- -------- ---------- ----------- -------- -------
* A transfer of GBP1,769,000 representing previously recognised
unrealised gains on disposal of investments during the period ended
30 September 2022 (year ended 31 March 2022: GBP794,000) has been
made from the Revaluation reserve to the Capital
Reserve-realised.
A transfer of GBP301,000 representing realised gains on disposal
of investments, less the excess of capital expenses over capital
income and capital dividends in the year (year ended 31 March 2022:
losses GBP738,000) has been made from the Capital Reserves --
realised to the Special reserve.
Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 March 2022
Funds
held in
Capital respect of shares Capital
Share redemption Share not yet Special reserve Revaluation Revenue
Capital reserve premium account allotted reserve -realised reserve reserve Total
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
For the year ended 31 March 2022
------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
At 1 Apr 2021 1,611 1,649 66,430 7,545 20,238 - 6,409 (2,529) 101,353
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Total
comprehensive
income - - - - - 2,971 4,897 2,528 10,396
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Realisation of
revaluations
from previous
years* - - - - - 794 (794) - -
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Realisation of
impaired
valuations - - - - - (791) 791 - -
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Transfer
between
reserves - - - - (738) 738 - - -
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Transactions with
owners
----------------------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Dividends
paid - - - - - (3,712) - (743) (4,455)
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Utilised in
share issue - - - (7,545) - - - - (7,545)
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Unallotted
shares - - - 78 - - - - 78
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Issue of new
shares 213 - 12,605 - - - - - 12,818
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Share issue
costs - - - - (360) - - - (360)
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Purchase of
own shares (48) 48 - - (2,812) - - - (2,812)
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
At 31 Mar 2022 1,776 1,697 79,035 78 16,328 - 11,303 (744) 109,473
-------------- ------- ----------- ---------------- ------------------ -------- ---------- ----------- -------- --------
Unaudited Cash Flow Statement
For the six months ended 30 September 2022
30 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
2022 2021 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Cash flow from operating
activities
---------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
(Loss)/profit on ordinary
activities before taxation (1,956) 7,696 10,396
---------------------------------- -------- ----- ------- -------
Loss/(gain) on investments 3,728 (8,345) (8,619)
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
(Increase)/decrease in
debtors (2,596) 371 (1,298)
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Increase/(decrease) in
creditors 635 (38) 72
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Cash from operations
---------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Corporation tax paid - - -
---------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Net cash (utilised)/generated
from operating activities (189) (316) 551
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Cash flow from investing
activities
---------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Purchase of investments (5,673) (708) (4,619)
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Proceeds from disposal
of investments 6,769 3,277 16,441
---------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Net cash generated from investing
activities 1,096 2,569 11,822
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Cash flows from financing
activities
---------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Proceeds from share issue 2,289 12,336 12,121
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Funds held in respect of
shares not yet allotted (63) (7,515) (7,467)
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Share issue costs (51) (357) (360)
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Purchase of own shares (729) (1,496) (2,791)
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Equity dividends paid (3,158) (2,227) (3,758)
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Net cash (utilised)/generated
from financing activities (1,712) 741 (2,255)
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
(Decrease)/increase in
cash (805) 2,994 10,118
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Net movement in cash
---------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Beginning of period 20,856 10,738 10,738
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Net cash (outflow)/inflow (805) 2,994 10,118
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
End of period 20,051 13,732 20,856
----------------------------------- -------- ------ ------- -------
Summary of Investment Portfolio
as at 30 September 2022
Valuation
movement % of
in portfolio
Cost Valuation period by value
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Top twenty venture capital
investments (by value)
------------------------------------------ --------- --------- ----------
Tracsis plc* 1,443 7,013 (539) 6.9%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Cornelis Networks Inc 2,102 4,276 2,220 4.2%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Doneloans Limited 3,631 4,170 (42) 4.1%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Carbice Corporation 3,020 3,499 532 3.5%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Ayar Labs, Inc 1,280 3,482 888 3.5%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Baron House Developments
LLP 2,695 3,169 (1,008) 3.1%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Downing Strategic Micro-Cap
Investment Trust plc** 5,699 3,125 (875) 3.1%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Hackajob Limited 784 2,885 1,362 2.9%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Trinny London Limited 443 2,778 270 2.8%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Anpario plc* 1,448 2,536 (804) 2.5%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Virtual Class Limited 1,164 2,489 578 2.5%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Data Centre Response Limited 557 2,362 575 2.3%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Cadbury House Holdings Limited 3,082 2,161 474 2.1%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Maestro Media Limited 1,320 2,096 617 2.1%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
StorageOS Inc 3,795 2,026 (1,720) 2.0%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Rated People Limited 1,382 1,917 22 1.9%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Imagen Limited 1,000 1,763 - 1.7%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
CommerceIQ, Inc 1,749 1,749 - 1.7%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Parsable Inc 1,532 1,677 255 1.7%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Glisser Limited 1,887 1,533 (355) 1.5%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
40,013 56,706 2,450 56.1%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Other venture capital investments 47,706 24,424 (5,960) 24.1%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
87,719 81,130 (3,510) 80.2%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Cash at bank and in hand 20,051 19.8%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
Total investments 101,181 100%
--------------------------------- ------- --------- --------- ----------
All venture capital investments are unquoted unless otherwise
stated.
* Quoted on AIM
** Listed and traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange
The valuation movement in the period includes unrealised foreign
exchange gains of GBP2,301,000.
Summary of Investment Movements
For the six months ended 30 September 2022
Additions
GBP'000
Quoted growth investments
--------------------------------------- -------
Downing Strategic Micro-Cap Investment
Trust plc 502
--------------------------------------- -------
502
--------------------------------------- -------
Unquoted growth investments
--------------------------------------- -------
Commerce IQ, Inc 1,749
--------------------------------------- -------
StorageOS Inc 825
--------------------------------------- -------
Vivacity Labs Limited 789
--------------------------------------- -------
Glisser Limited 587
--------------------------------------- -------
FVRVS Limited* 537
--------------------------------------- -------
Maestro Media Limited 320
--------------------------------------- -------
FundingXchange Limited 285
--------------------------------------- -------
Upp Technologies Group Limited 59
--------------------------------------- -------
Channel Mum Limited 20
--------------------------------------- -------
5,171
--------------------------------------- -------
Total additions 5,673
--------------------------------------- -------
* The addition related to FVRVS Limited includes a loan note to
equity conversion equal to GBP135,000.
Disposals
Value (Loss)/gain Realised
at Disposal against gain in
Cost 31/03/22* proceeds cost period
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Quoted growth
investments
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
MI Downing UK Micro-Cap
Growth Fund 2 2 2 - -
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
2 2 2 - -
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
Unquoted yield focused investments (including loan
note redemptions)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harrogate Street LLP 1,400 2,778 2,750 1,350 (28)
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
Rockhopper Renewables
Limited 738 156 - (738) (156)
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
2,138 2,934 2,750 612 (184)
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
Unquoted growth investments (including loan note
redemptions)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
StreetHub Limited 1,446 80 194 (1,252) 114
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
Avid Technology Group
Limited - - 91 91 91
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
FVRVS Limited** 125 125 125 - -
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
E-fundamentals (Group)
Limited 1,508 3,846 3,607 2,099 (239)
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
3,079 4,051 4,017 938 (34)
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
5,219 6,987 6,769 1,550 (218)
------------------------ ------- ---------- --------- ----------- --------
* adjusted for purchases in the period. ** conversion of loan
notes into further equity
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
For the six months ended 30 September 2022
1. General information
Thames Ventures VCT 1 plc ("the Company") is a Venture Capital
Trust established under the legislation introduced in the Finance
Act 1995 and is domiciled in the United Kingdom and incorporated in
England and Wales.
2. Basis of accounting
The unaudited half-yearly financial results cover the six months
to 30 September 2022 and have been prepared in accordance with the
accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts for the year
ended 31 March 2022, which were prepared in accordance with the
Financial Reporting Standard 102 ("FRS102") and in accordance with
the Statement of Recommended Practice "Financial Statements of
Investment Trust Companies" issued in November 2014 and updated in
July 2022 ("SORP").
3. The Company has only one class of business and derives its
income from investments made in shares, securities and bank
deposits.
4. The comparative figures were in respect of the six months
ended 30 September 2021 and the year ended 31 March 2022
respectively.
5. Return per share
Revenue Capital
Weighted average return (loss)/
number of shares in issue /(deficit) gain
GBP'000 GBP'000
Period ended 30 September
2022 180,153,252 1,969 (3,925)
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------
Period ended 30 September
2021 176,390,695 (299) 7,995
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------
Year ended 31 March 2022 177,473,899 2,528 7,868
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- --------
6. Dividends paid in the period
Year ended
Six months ended 31 March
30 September 2022 2022
Revenue Capital Total Total
Date paid GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
---------------
2022 Final Aug 2022: 1.75p 2,105 1,053 3,158 -
--------------- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
2022 Interim Feb 2022: 1.25p - - - 2,227
--------------- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
2021 Final Sept 2021: 1.25p - - - 2,228
--------------- ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
2,105 1,053 3,158 4,455
---------------------------------- ------- ------- ------- ----------
7. Basic and diluted net asset value per share
Shares
in Net NAV per
issue assets share
GBP'000 pence
----------------------------
Period ended 30 September
2022 179,899,225 105,779 58.8
---------------------------- ----------- ------- -------
Period ended 30 September
2021 179,011,001 109,784 61.3
---------------------------- ----------- ------- -------
Year ended 31 March
2022 177,567,399 109,473 61.6
---------------------------- ----------- ------- -------
8. Called up share capital
Shares
in issue GBP'000
----------------------------
Period ended 30 September
2022 179,899,225 1,799
------------------------------ ----------- -------
Period ended 30 September
2021 179,011,001 1,790
------------------------------ ----------- -------
Year ended 31 March
2022 177,567,399 1,776
------------------------------ ----------- -------
9. Reserves
The Special reserve is available to the Company to enable the
purchase of its own shares in the market without affecting its
ability to pay dividends/capital distributions.
30 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
2022 2021 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
-----------------------------
Capital redemption reserve 1,711 1,675 1,697
----------------------------- ------- -------- -------
Share premium account 81,236 78,561 79,035
----------------------------- ------- -------- -------
Funds held in respect of
shares not yet allotted 16 30 78
----------------------------- ------- -------- -------
Special reserve 15,873 17,435 16,328
----------------------------- ------- -------- -------
Revaluation reserve 6,024 13,863 11,303
----------------------------- ------- -------- -------
Revenue reserve (880) (3,570) (744)
----------------------------- ------- -------- -------
Total reserves 103,980 107,994 107,697
----------------------------- ------- -------- -------
Distributable reserves are calculated as follows:
30 Sep 30 Sep 31 Mar
2022 2021 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
-------------------------------------------------------
Special reserve 15,873 17,435 16,328
------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------- -------
Revenue reserve (880) (3,570) (744)
------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------- -------
Unrealised (losses) (excluding unrealised unquoted
gains) (11,434) (402) (4,200)
------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------- -------
3,559 13,463 11,384
------------------------------------------------------- -------- ------- -------
10. Investments
The fair value of investments is determined using the detailed
accounting policy as shown in the audited financial statements for
the year ended 31 March 2022. The Company has categorised its
financial instruments using the fair value hierarchy as
follows:
Level 1 Reflects financial instruments quoted in an active
market (quoted companies and fixed interest bonds);
Level 2 Reflects financial instruments that have prices that are
observable either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3 Reflects financial instruments that use valuation
techniques that are not based on observable market data
(investments in unquoted shares and loan note investments).
Level Level Level 30 Sep Level Level 31 Mar
1 2 3 2022 1 Level 2 3 2022
GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
Quoted
on AIM 17,395 - - 17,395 21,409 - - 21,409
------------ ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Quoted
on Aquis 3 - - 3 3 - - 3
------------ ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Quoted
on main
market 4,623 - - 4,623 5,270 - - 5,270
------------ ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Unquoted
loan notes - - 10,581 10,581 - - 16,264 16,264
------------ ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Unquoted
equity - - 48,528 48,528 - - 43,008 43,008
------------ ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
22,021 - 59,109 81,130 26,682 - 59,272 85,954
------------ ----------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -------
11. The unaudited financial statements set out herein do not
constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of
the Companies Act 2006 and have not been delivered to the Registrar
of Companies. The figures for the year ended 31 March 2022 have
been extracted from the financial statements for that year, which
have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the Auditor's
report on those financial statements was unqualified.
12. Going concern
The Directors have reviewed the Company's financial resources at
the period end and concluded that the Company is well placed to
manage its business risks.
The Directors confirm that they are satisfied that the Company
has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable
future. For this reason, the Directors believe that the Company
continues to be a going concern and that it is appropriate to apply
the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
13. Risks and uncertainties
Under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, the Board is
required, in the Company's half-year results, to report on
principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company over the
remainder of the financial year. The lingering impact of the
coronavirus pandemic and the consequential behavioural changes
still creates uncertainty for some businesses but has not changed
the nature of these risks.
The Board has concluded that the key risks are:
(i) compliance risk of failure to maintain approval as a VCT;
and
(ii) investment risk associated with investing in small and
immature businesses.
The Company's compliance with the VCT regulations is continually
monitored by the Investment Adviser, who regularly reports to the
Board on the current position. The Company also retains Philip Hare
& Associates LLP to provide regular reviews and advice in this
area.
In order to make VCT qualifying investments, the Company has to
invest in small businesses which are often immature. The impact of
the coronavirus pandemic has been significant on some portfolio
companies and, in many cases, the VCT regulations restrict the
Company from making further investment into these businesses, so
the Investment Adviser seeks to provide whatever other support they
can to these businesses, including encouraging them to take
advantage of Government support that may be available. The Company
also has a limited period in which it must invest the majority of
its funds into VCT qualifying investments. The Investment Adviser
follows a rigorous process in vetting and careful structuring of
new investments, including taking a charge over the assets of the
business wherever possible and, after an investment is made,
closely monitoring the business.
Increasing inflation, particularly on wages and other costs has
developed into an emerging risk during the period. The Investment
Adviser's close relationship with the investee companies allow it
to ensure that the businesses properly assess the potential impact
of increasing costs and the extent to which these may or may not be
able to be passed on to the end customer.
The Board is satisfied that these approaches provide
satisfactory management of the key risks.
14. The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge,
the half yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance
with the "Statement: Half-Yearly Financial Reports" issued by the
UK Accounting Standards Board as well as in accordance with FRS 104
Interim Financial Reporting and the half-yearly financial report
includes a fair review of the information required by:
(a) DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being
an indication of important events that have occurred during the
first six months of the financial year and their impact on the
condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the
principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of
the year; and
(b) DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being
related party transactions that have taken place during the first
six months of the current financial year and that have materially
affected the financial position or performance of the entity during
that period, and any changes in the related party transactions
described in the last annual report that could do so.
15. Copies of the unaudited half-yearly financial results will
be sent to Shareholders shortly. Further copies can be obtained
from the Company's Registered Office and will be available for
download from
www.foresightgroup.eu/products/thames-ventures-vct-1-plc
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
December 12, 2022 09:45 ET (14:45 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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