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Risk Warning

Investing through Shuttle carries risk, including the risk of partial or total loss of the money you invest. Before investing, please read the risk information that applies to you in full.

Which section applies to you?

  • Section A: If you are a customer of our UK Branch (investing as a UK client).
  • Section B: If you are a customer in the EU/EEA (investing through Join Shuttle Limited under ECSPR).

The regulatory protections and disclosures differ between the two, so please read the section for your jurisdiction.

Section A - UK Customers

Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.

Key Risks

  1. You could lose all the money you invest
  • Most investments are shares in start-up businesses or bonds issued by them. Investors in these shares or bonds often lose 100% of the money they invested, as most start-up businesses fail.
  • Certain of these investments can be held in an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA). An IFISA does not reduce the risk of the investment or protect you from losses, so you can still lose all your money. It only means that any potential returns will be tax free.
  • Checks on the businesses you are investing in, such as how well they are expected to perform, may not have been carried out by the platform you are investing through. You should do your own research before investing.
  1. You won't get your money back quickly
  • Even if the business you invest in is successful, it will likely take several years to get your money back.
  • The most likely way to get your money back is if the business is bought by another business or lists its shares on an exchange such as the London Stock Exchange. These events are not common.
  • Start-up businesses very rarely pay you back through dividends. You should not expect to get your money back this way.
  • Some platforms may give you the opportunity to sell your investment early through a 'secondary market' or 'bulletin board', but there is no guarantee you will find a buyer at the price you are willing to sell.
  1. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
  • Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.
  • A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments.
  1. The value of your investment can be reduced
  • If your investment is shares, the percentage of the business that you own will decrease if the business issues more shares. This could mean that the value of your investment reduces, depending on how much the business grows. Most start-up businesses issue multiple rounds of shares.
  • These new shares could have additional rights that your shares don't have, such as the right to receive a fixed dividend, which could further reduce your chances of getting a return on your investment.
  1. You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong
  • Protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), in relation to claims against failed regulated firms, does not cover poor investment performance. Try the FSCS investment protection checker here.
  • Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated platform, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website here. For further information about investment-based crowdfunding, visit the FCA's website here.

Section B - EU/EEA Customers

Warning: Investments on Shuttle entail risks, including the risk of partial or entire loss of the money invested. Your investment is not covered by a deposit guarantee scheme (Directive 2014/49/EU) or by an investor compensation scheme (Directive 97/9/EC). By investing, you assume the full risk of the investment, including the risk of partial or entire loss of the money invested. You may not receive any return.

  1. Loss of capital
  • Most start-up companies fail. If you invest in any company through our platform, it is more likely that you will lose all of your investment than that you will see a return of capital or a profit. You should only invest amounts that you can afford to lose without altering your standard of living.
  1. Illiquidity
  • Any investment you make through our platform will be highly illiquid. It may be difficult to transfer or convert shares in investee companies into cash. If you invest in our products, you may not have any access to your money for up to 10 years or more.
  1. Rarity of dividends
  • Start-up companies rarely pay dividends. You are unlikely to see any return of capital or profit until you are able to sell your shares in the investee company - which is unlikely to occur for a considerable period, if at all.
  1. Dilution
  • The shares you invest in are likely to be subject to dilution. If the investee company raises further capital in a later round, it will issue new shares and the percentage of the company you own will reduce.
  • New shares may carry preferential rights over your class of shares, for example on profit distributions or on a winding up. Dilution may also arise from the grant of options to employees or others engaged by the company.
  1. Diversification
  • Investing in start-up companies should only be done as part of a diversified portfolio - smaller amounts across a larger number of companies rather than large amounts in a few. The majority of your portfolio should be held in relatively safer, more liquid assets.
  1. Tax treatment
  • Tax reliefs are not guaranteed and depend on an investee company maintaining its qualifying status, which may be withdrawn at any time by the Revenue Commissioners or other relevant authority.
  1. Past performance, forward-looking statements and forecasts
  • Past performance, forward-looking statements and forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future results.

If you are a non-sophisticated investor, before investing you will be asked to complete an entry knowledge test and a simulation of your ability to bear loss, and you will have a reflection period of 4 calendar days during which you may withdraw your investment offer without penalty and without giving a reason.

Applies to All Customers

Join Shuttle Limited does not provide investment, financial, legal or tax advice. Nothing on our platform is a personal recommendation. We recommend you seek independent professional advice before making any financial decision.

Join Shuttle Limited is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland under Regulation (EU) 2020/1503. Its UK Branch is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (firm reference number [FRN]).