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DDV1 Downing One Vct Plc

57.00
0.00 (0.00%)
19 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Downing One Vct Plc LSE:DDV1 London Ordinary Share GB00BFRSVQ41 ORD 1P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 57.00 56.00 58.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Thames Ventures VCT 1 plc Half-year Report

12/12/2022 2:45pm

UK Regulatory


Downing One Vct (LSE:DDV1)
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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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