Like Oxford Capital’s previous funds, Oxford Gateway Fund 5 will take advantage of tax breaks available to investors under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).

Ted Mott, chief executive of Oxford Capital, says: ‘Our investment managers are all exceptionally talented scientists and we use this insight combined with the firm’s entrepreneurial flair to identify and back the most innovative and commercially viable companies.’

Mott adds: ‘We don’t just invest and wait for returns, we roll our sleeves up [and] get actively involved with our portfolio companies.’

Oxford Gateway Fund 5 is open to private investors with a minimum investment of £25,000 up to a maximum of £2 million. The minimum holding period for the fund is three years if full tax advantages are to be captured.

The EIS structure offers income tax relief on investment at 20 per cent, exemption from capital gains tax (CGT) after the minimum holding period and full relief from inheritance tax.