Octopus AIM VCT
Applications open
Earlybird deadline: 5pm on 27 February 2026
Important Information - Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) invest in small, early-stage, unlisted companies and are considered high-risk investments. It’s difficult to access your money in the short term and their value can go down as well as up so you could get back less than you put in. VCTs are long-term investments and should only be a consideration for experienced investors with larger portfolios. We suggest they form a small part of a diversified portfolio. This isn’t personal advice, if you’re unsure if VCTs are right for you, please consider taking advice. Tax rules can change, and their benefits depend on your individual circumstances.
About Octopus AIM VCT
Octopus AIM VCT invests in emerging UK companies listed on AIM. It holds around 80 established, maturing businesses from a diverse range of sectors. The team focuses on companies where there’s a strong business idea and plenty of room to grow.
Key facts
Launched in 1997.
£113mn total assets under management.
Annual dividend target yield of 5% or 5p per share, whichever is greater.
Holds around 80 companies across a range of industries.
Raising £30 million with an over-allotment facility of a further £30 million, shared with its sister VCT - Octopus AIM VCT 2. The maximum amount Octopus AIM VCT can raise is £36 million.
VCT offer details
Open to UK investors located and resident in the UK.
Minimum application of £500, capped at a maximum of £200,000.
It’s free to hold VCT shares in an HL Fund and Share Account.
Investors will qualify for a 0.5% annual rebate of the ongoing charge. This is paid annually as bonus shares for nine years.
The offer price will be established through the issue.
Shares are allocated in tranches by the VCT manager during the offer period. There may be a few weeks until your shares are allotted.
Applications can close early and at short notice, especially if there is strong demand.
Any application in this VCT should be made on the basis of the prospectus and any supplementary information issued by the VCT manager. The prospectus and supporting documents are provided by Octopus Investments, Hargreaves Lansdown has not authorised or approved them and is not responsible for their accuracy.
Ready to Invest?
Make sure you’ve read these key documents. They cover in more detail the risks and investment strategy of this VCT.
Example companies held by Octopus AIM VCT
A supplier of a wide range of materials to the construction industry. Breedon is a leading independent construction materials group, operating in the UK, Ireland and the USA. The company produces cement, aggregates, asphalt, ready mixed concrete, Welsh slate and specialist concrete clay products.
The company is the owner of Interact, a software company that provides a range of products and services to improve communication and collaboration within large organisations. The company operates globally with a growing customer base across Europe, North America and Australia.
GB Group is a technology specialist in fraud, location and identity data intelligence. Its software helps companies and governments to fight fraud and cybercrime, lower the cost of compliance and improve the experience for onboarding new customers in today’s digital economy.
To see more detail on how the VCT invests, including why they’ve chosen certain companies, check the VCT prospectus and brochure.
Past Performance
You can view the past performance data of this VCT on our factsheet. You’ll need to return to this page to place a deal. Past performance is not a guide to the future.
Costs and charges
| VCT manager initial charge: | 5.5% |
| HL saving on the initial charge: | 2.5% |
| Net initial charge: | 3% |
| Existing investor discount: | 1% |
| Ongoing charge: | 2.2% |
| Performance fee: | 0% |
Earlybird discount: 2% discount on applications received by 5pm on 27 February 2026. 1% discount on applications received by 5pm on 30th March 2026.
If you wish to sell your VCT, telephone rates of commission will apply (1%, minimum £20, maximum £50).
Existing investors must hold their VCT shares in an HL Fund and Share Account to qualify for the discount.
Other incidental charges for buying and selling investments may apply. Details on this are available in the Registration Document and Key Information Document.
Full breakdown of charges
The following charges are based on an investment of £10,000 within a Fund and Share Account over 5 years assuming a 5% growth rate. We’ve used the initial charge including the HL saving, but no further discounts like early bird or existing investor discounts have been applied. The annual rebate is also not included.
Holders should also get income from the VCT, on which there's no charge from HL and so isn't included in these figures. The income you’ll receive isn't guaranteed and you could get back less than you invest.
| Management charge | £0.00 |
| Entry dealing charge | £0.00 |
| Exit dealing charges | £50.00 |
| Stamp duty (N/A) | £0.00 |
| Net initial charge (3%) | £300.00 |
| Ongoing charge (2.2%) | £1,134.22 |
| Transaction costs | £0.00 |
| Incidental charges | £0.00 |
| Total charges over 5 years | £1,484.22 |
| Average annual charge | 2.88% |
| Illustrative 5-year value | £11,051.40 |
| Illustrative 5-year value with no charges applied | £12,762.82 |
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL Charges | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £50.00 | £50.00 |
| Management charge | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Entry dealing charge | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Exit dealing charge | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £50.00 | £50.00 |
| Investment charges | £514.78 | £220.66 | £226.70 | £232.90 | £239.18 | £1,434.22 |
| Stamp duty (N/A) | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Net initial charge (3%) | £300.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £300.00 |
| Ongoing charge (2.2%) | £214.78 | £220.66 | £226.70 | £232.90 | £239.18 | £1,134.22 |
| Transaction costs | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Incidental charges | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Total charges over 5 years | £514.78 | £220.66 | £226.70 | £232.90 | £289.18 | £1,484.22 |
| Average annual charge | 5.23% | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.18% | 2.64% | 2.88% |
| Illustrative 5-year value | £9,965.36 | £10,237.98 | £10,518.05 | £10,805.79 | £11,051.40 | £11,051.40 |
| Illustrative 5-year value with no charges applied | £10,500.00 | £11,025.00 | £11,576.25 | £12,155.06 | £12,762.82 | £12,762.82 |
The costs and charges shown are for illustration purposes only based on the assumptions presented. Total HL charges and 5 year HL charges also include a £50 exit dealing charge. Figures may not add up to the given total due to rounding.
Key Documents
Make sure you’ve read these key documents. They cover in more detail the risks and investment strategy of this VCT.