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We gather and check where possible the factual information sourced from the live campaign pitch deck, business plan and financials and from reliable third-party sources.
Loading of data and sourced information and investment intelligence into our proprietary ratings engine. Once we have the information we need, the data is reviewed by one of our Financial Analysts.
Based on the results from the Ratings Engine, the Analyst prepares explanatory summary of comments against each sub-section of the rating and a conclusion which is published at the bottom of the rating.
Note: Gold Rating score threshold increased to 80% 24/3/20
A Director reviews the rating and analysts’ comments and instructs further research and data validation if necessary. Sometimes a third opinion is obtained from a member of our Specialist Advisory Panel. We then contact the business owner for comments and feedback.
As an FCA regulated firm, once a Director has approved the rating it is sent to for a compliance review to ensure that it meets regulatory requirements.
Once the rating has been approved by compliance and we have contacted the business owner it is published on our website and made available to be used by the business owner for their continued campaign marketing activity.
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Investing in equity crowdfunding and early stage businesses involves high risks, which may include long-term investment horizons, illiquidity, lack of income and potential dilution. Any investor needs to be in the position to afford a total loss of capital invested. Investments that are made via Peer to Peer platforms should not be considered deposits like a bank. Your capital is at risk and is not covered by the Financial Service Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
NextFin is targeted at members who have the knowledge and experience to understand these risks and make their own investment decisions. You will NOT invest through NextFin but through the relevant crowdfunding website which also has signed off the content as a Financial Promotion on its own website. NextFin is not the originator of the financial promotions that appear on its site. However we do to the best of our ability carry out limited compliance checks on the originator and the company seeking funding to seek to ensure they are conforming to FCA regulations and anti-money laundering equity/requirements as appropriate. Business Agent Limited, trading as NextFin, takes no responsibility for this information or for any recommendations or opinions made by the companies or its users.
The rating report and any other reports published on NextFin.co.uk do not constitute an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities referred to herein. Rating reports should not be so construed, nor should it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever. The information on this website or in reports or ratings published by Business Agent Ltd, or on which this or any other reports are based, has been obtained from sources that Business Agent Ltd believes to be reliable and accurate. However, it has not been independently verified and no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any information obtained from third parties. The information or opinions are provided as at the date of this report or any other report publication dates and are subject to change without notice. The information and opinions provided in this and any other reports take no account of the investors/ individual circumstances and should not be taken as specific advice on the merits of any investment decision. Investors should consider any or all of the reports or ratings we publish as only a single factor in making any investment decisions.
Business Agent Ltd does not accept any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss however so arising, directly or indirectly, from any use of this report nor its contents. Investors may receive back less that they invested as investments may fall as well as rise in value. Investors should obtain independent advice based on their own circumstances before making investment decisions. Click here for our full risk warning.
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Investing in the shares of start-up and early-stage companies can be satisfying and financially rewarding. But it is also very risky.
For example:
There is a significant risk that you will lose your investment. Most start-up companies fail, and it can be many years before even the most successful start-up company begins to pay dividends. You are therefore much more likely to lose your investment than you are to see a return of your capital and a profit;
If you make an investment, you will probably not be able to sell it for many years. Although it is sometimes possible to sell shares in a start-up company to other shareholders in the same company, it is much more likely that a share sale will be impossible unless and until the company is listed on a stock exchange or bought by another company. Even the most successful of start-up companies can take years to get to the point where it can be listed or sold;
Your investment will probably be diluted. If you invest, you will receive shares in the company. If the company needs to raise more capital at a later date, it may issue new shares. If those shares are offered to existing investors and you choose not to buy any more shares, your share of the company will decline. Your share of the company will also decline if the company only offers its new shares to new investors. The company might also want or need to offer its new shares on better terms than the terms available on its existing shares. For example, the new shares might have preferential rights to dividends or sale proceeds, a right of first refusal on further share issues, or better voting rights than the existing shares. Each of these things is likely to be to your disadvantage.
Dividends are payments made by a business to its shareholders from the company’s profits. Most of the companies pitching for equity are start-ups or early stage companies, and these companies will rarely pay dividends to their investors. This means that you are unlikely to see a return on your investment until you are able to sell your shares. Profits are typically re-invested into the business to fuel growth and build shareholder value. Businesses have no obligation to pay shareholder dividends.
Diversification involves spreading your money across multiple investments to reduce risk. However, it will not lessen all types of risk. Diversification is an essential part of investing. Investors should only invest a proportion of their available investment funds and should balance this with safer, more liquid investments
Giving money to a company can be satisfying; especially if it’s doing – or wants to do – something you think is worthwhile.
However, if you decide to give money to a company and it reaches its minimum target, it will be impossible, or almost impossible, to get it back - even if you change your mind immediately.
Lending money to start-up and early-stage companies can be satisfying and financially rewarding. But it is also involves risk including Loss of investment and interest payments, Lack of liquidity, Restricted redemption rights, Unsecured investments and being bottom of the chain to be paid when a business winds up. Most start-ups fail, and it can be many months or years before a successful start-up begins to make enough money to be able repay its debts. There is a significant risk that the company you lend money to:
• Will not be able to pay you back. If the company you lend money to cannot afford to repay you, you will lose some or all of the money you loaned to the company. You will also lose some or all of the interest you expected to receive in return for your loan;
• Will not be able to pay you back on time. If the company you lend money to cannot afford to repay you when the repayments are due, you may have to wait – perhaps for many months or years – to recover the money you loaned to the company and the interest you expected to receive in return for your loan;
• Will become insolvent. If the company you lend money to cannot afford to pay its debts to you or to its other creditors, the company may be wound up, dissolved or put it into receivership, liquidation or administration. If any of these things happen, you may not be able to recover the money you loaned to the company or the interest you expected to receive in return for your loan. You may also have to wait many months or years to recover any payment, and that payment may be much less that you would have been entitled to receive if the company had not become insolvent. This might happen because some of the company’s creditors (including the receiver, liquidator or administrator) might be entitled to receive their money before other creditors, and when they have been paid, the company might not have sufficient funds left to pay you.
• Investments that are made via Peer to Peer platforms should not be considered deposits like a bank. Your capital is at risk and is not covered by the Financial Service Compensation Scheme (FSCS).