Investment Funds, Private Equity & Venture Capital

Our teams have extensive experience of working with cutting edge technology businesses in this emerging sector. We have the corporate and regulatory expertise to ensure our clients are assisted with the launch of their blockchain or cryptocurrency businesses, or to raise funds through the issue of virtual tokens. We have advised on the launch of a number of virtual currency exchangers, crypto investment fund managers and funds, and international groups and clients on fundraisings, including raising funds through virtual token offerings.

Fund financing covers a range of financing possibilities but most commonly involves capital call or subscription facilities. It is a specialist area that requires an understanding of fund structuring, the risks involved in lending to funds and specific security requirements. Underlying relationships between investors, borrowers and lenders are key to the success of the industry. We work with lenders and borrowers to maintain these relationships at every stage of the process, with our commercial, efficient and pragmatic approach to managing transactions.

In a world of ever-increasing accountability, we are increasingly instructed by sovereign wealth funds, ultra high net worth individuals and funds of funds to review potential investments and negotiate side-letters. We offer our clients a fast, efficient service with minimum fuss. This aspect of our practice gives us unparalleled insight of what is and is not the 'market standard'; something our clients highly appreciate.

Investment Business Licensing and Approvals

Our uniquely diverse practice regularly assists with the establishment of both open and closed-ended fund structures. In addition to traditional private equity and real estate structures we have advised on a number of alternative and esoteric classes. We provide bespoke structuring solutions to allow our clients to build the fund they want as opposed to a generic template of the market standard. We advise clients at every step of the process, including preparing offer documents, investor negotiations, the preparation of agreements, and in the closing of transactions.

In addition to advising on the establishment of investment structures we advise on the drafting and interpretation of investment management and advisory mandates including performance fees and remuneration packages. Our practical yet precise approach in this highly technical area is driven by significant onshore experience. Performance related fee structures and incentives need to consider and capture the widest range of potential scenarios - our depth of expertise enables us to achieve that.

Our investment practice is not simply limited to regulated investment funds. We also advise clients on a range of unregulated and private structures allowing new promoters to build a track record or investment clubs to access particular investments without incurring the time or financial cost of entering the regulatory regime. Our team's experience in this often overlooked area of the investment sector can help our clients manage regulation and plan their structures for future growth without unnecessary limitations.