REG - Acceler8 Ventures - Full Year Results year ended 31 December 2024
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RNS Number : 7046G Acceler8 Ventures PLC 30 April 2025
30 April 2025
ACCELER8 VENTURES PLC
("AC8" or the "Company")
Full Year Results for the period ended 31 December 2024
Acceler8 Ventures Plc (LSE: AC8) has today published its Annual Report and
Financial Statements for the period ended 31 December 2024 (the "Annual
Report").
In accordance with UK Listing Rule 6.4.1 copies of the Annual Report have been
submitted to the FCA and will shortly be available to view on the Company's
website at https://acceler8.ventures (https://acceler8.ventures) and for
inspection from the National Storage Mechanism
at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanis
(https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism) m
(https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism)
LEI: 2138004B1HKZP1OR2C72
Enquiries
Tessera Investment Management Limited
Tony Morris +44 (0) 7742 189145
Chairman's Statement
I am pleased to present the financial results for Acceler8 Ventures Plc
("AC8", the "Company") and its subsidiary (together the "Group") for the year
ended 31 December 2024.
During the year and post year end we have remained focused on executing our
buy and build strategy and continue to assess investment and acquisition
opportunities where we believe there to be sustainable growth potential both
organically, and through acquisition. We also continue to explore incremental
funding opportunities for the Company and are making great progress in
securing additional financing to further underpin the execution of our
strategy.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal shareholders for
their continued support and patience. Interest in IPOs and RTOs has been at
its lowest ebb for many years but there are always opportunities and the
general trend towards lower interest rates should eventually reignite
confidence. Having the currency of listed paper is still compelling to those
seeking a buy and build strategy.
We look forward to updating shareholders as both our funding and acquisition
plans progress during the coming months.
David Williams
Chairman
29 April 2025
Report of the Directors
The Directors of the Company present their report for the year ended 31
December 2024.
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY AND BUSINESS REVIEW
For the financial year ended 31 December 2024, the Group and Company's
principal activities were that of a holding group and company, respectively.
The Company was incorporated for the purpose of identifying suitable
acquisition opportunities in accordance with the Company's investment and
acquisition strategy with a view to creating shareholder value. The Company
retains a flexible investment and acquisition strategy which will, subject to
appropriate levels of due diligence, enable it to deploy capital in target
companies by way of minority or majority investments, or full acquisitions
where it is in the interests of shareholders to do so. This will include
transactions with target companies located in the UK and internationally,
including but not limited to, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region, with
enterprise values up to £250 million. It is anticipated by the Directors that
acquisition opportunities could be with private companies, other listed
business, or via the acquisition of divisional or non-core carve outs. The
Company's strategic aim is to drive shareholder value through the acquisition
of target companies in certain sectors where the Directors believe there to be
sustainable growth opportunities both organically, and through acquisition.
Particular sectors of focus include gaming, media and entertainment, software
and technology, industrials and business services. While the Company retains
sector flexibility regarding its initial acquisition, it is intended that
subsequent investments and acquisitions will be of complementary businesses to
that of the initial acquisition. Where target companies are acquired, the
Directors and incoming management teams will seek to drive operational
improvements and best practice to unlock revenue and cost synergies.
The Directors will look to identify opportunities in line with the following
parameters:
· stable or growing sectors, with opportunities for consolidation; and
· target companies with:
o leading and defensible market positions;
o recurring and repeatable revenue streams;
o profitable and cash flow positive or clear path to profitability and cash flow
generation;
o scalable and operationally geared;
o potential for operational improvement standalone or part of an enlarged group;
and
o strong operating teams with deep domain expertise.
It is possible the Board may consider acquisitions that do not conform to all
of the above framework. However, in all cases, the Company's strategic aim
is to drive shareholder value through the acquisition of target companies in
certain sectors where the Directors believe there to be sustainable growth
opportunities both organically, and through acquisition. The Company is
seeking fundamentally sound assets, where tangible opportunities exist to
drive strategic, operational and performance improvements.
On 16 December 2024, the Company entered into heads of terms to acquire the
entire issued share capital of Verifyyed, Inc., a music sync to royalty
platform that encompasses the world's largest premium content licensing
marketplace, and leading royalty tracking, administration and collection
software-as-a-service technology. Under the heads of terms, total
consideration for the proposed acquisition was £96.8 million.
On 17 December 2024, the Company announced that it had requested the
suspension of its listing on the Official List and from trading on the Main
Market of the London Stock Exchange pending the publication of a prospectus
and application by the Company to have its enlarged share capital re-admitted
to trading on the Equity Shares segment of the Main Market of the London Stock
Exchange.
Subsequent to the year ended 31 December 2024, the Company announced on 23
January 2025 a proposal to raise up to £750,000 through the issuance of
unsecured convertible loan notes to support the diligence and acquisition
process.
Incremental to the unsecured convertible loan note outlined above, the
Directors are also exploring additional working capital funding and have a
number of positive discussions underway with interested funding partners.
RESULTS
During the year, the Group recorded a loss of £160,480 (2023: loss of
£55,236) and the loss per share was £0.21 (2023: loss per share of £0.07),
reflecting moderate monthly operating expenses of the Group. The Group and
Company had cash reserves at the end of the year of £113 (2023: £160,441)
and net liabilities of £46,364 (2023: net assets of £113,802) and net
liabilities of £46,431 (2023: £113,735 net assets) respectively.
DIVIDENDS
At this point in the Company's development, it does not anticipate declaring
any dividends in the foreseeable future. As such, the Directors do not
recommend the payment of a dividend for the year.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The Directors expect to continue to execute the Group's strategy in sourcing
and assessing acquisition and investment opportunities across its stated
sectors of focus.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
The Board continues to focus on maximising shareholder value through pursuing
its acquisition strategy.
As such, the Board will identify and develop appropriate key performance
indicators after an acquisition has been completed.
GOING CONCERN
The Group and Company's unaudited cash balance as at 25 April 2025 was
£3,315. As a result, the Group and the Company are reliant upon near term
financial support provided to it by the Directors who also continue to forgo
salary payments, and have injected loan capital into the Group.
At present, the Directors have a number of discussions underway with financing
parties who have indicated their interest and appetite to recapitalise the
Group ahead of any formal RTO process. The Directors believe that the
conclusion of these discussions will likely occur over the next four to eight
weeks, at which point, it is anticipated that new funding will be injected
into the Group that when combined with any existing cash balance, will provide
adequate working capital to execute operations over the next 12 months. The
successful necessary investment by new financing parties, including the timing
and amount of such, are matters that are not entirely within the control of
the Directors, and thus represent material uncertainties that may cast
significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Directors, therefore, have made an informed judgement at the time of
approving the financial statements, that there is a reasonable expectation
that, on successful consummation of the aforementioned funding discussions,
the Group and Company have adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for the foreseeable future. As a result, the Directors have adopted
the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial
statements. The accompanying financial statements do not include any
adjustments that would be required if they were not prepared on a going
concern basis. (see note 2).
RISK MANAGEMENT
In order to execute the Group's strategy, the Company and its subsidiaries
will be exposed to both financial and non-financial risks. The Board has
overall responsibility for the Group's risk management and it is the Board's
role to consider whether those risks identified by management are acceptable
within the Group's strategy and risk appetite. The Board therefore
periodically reviews the principal risks and considers how effective and
appropriate the controls that management has in place to mitigate the risk
exposure are and will make recommendations to management accordingly.
As the Company had not completed an investment or acquisition in the year, it
has limited financial statements and/or historical financial data, and limited
trading history. As such, the Company during the year was subject to the risks
and uncertainties associated with an early-stage acquisition company,
including the risk that the Company will not achieve its investment objectives
and that the value of any investment or acquisition could decline and may
result in the partial or complete loss of capital invested. The past
performance of investee companies or assets managed by the Directors will not
necessarily be a guide to future business, results of operations, financial
condition or prospects of the Company.
In order to mitigate against these risks, the Directors continue to undertake
thorough due diligence on investment opportunities and acquisition targets, to
a level considered reasonable and appropriate by the Company on a case-by-case
basis, including the potential commissioning of third-party specialist reports
as appropriate. Following completion of any investment or acquisition, it is
intended that any investments or assets will be overseen by the Directors and
assisted by the Company's professional advisers.
Financial Risk Management
The Directors consider the Group to be exposed to the following financial
risks:
a. Price risk: the price paid for securities is subject to market movement that
may have an impact on the operations of the Group when raising finance;
b. Cash flow interest rate risk: the Group has cash balances which exposed it to
movement in the market interest rates; and
c. Liquidity risk: the Group manages its cash requirements through detailed
forecasting and planning for the amount and timing of payments and receipts of
interest income, to ensure cash resources are available when required.
Given the relatively small size and operation of the Group in the year, the
Directors have not delegated the responsibility of risk monitoring to a
sub-committee of the Board, but closely monitor the risks on a periodic basis.
The Directors consider their exposure in the financial year to have been low.
Refer to note 14 for assessment of the risks arising from financial
instruments.
Non-financial Risk Management
The non-financial risk factors for the year ended 31 December 2024 did not
materially change from those set out in AC8's Prospectus dated 14 July 2021.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
As the Company has not completed its first acquisition and has only two
Directors, limited travel and no premises, the Directors do not consider any
disclosure under the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures is
required at this juncture, however the Company will continue to review this
position as it executes its investment and acquisition strategy.
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
The Company has made no political contributions during the year.
CHARITABLE DONATIONS
The Company has made no charitable donations during the year.
POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
Refer to note 20 of the consolidated financial statements.
SHARE CAPITAL
Details of the Company's share capital is set out in note 15. The Company's
share capital consists of one class of ordinary share, which does not carry
rights to fixed income. As at 31 December 2024, there were 750,000 ordinary
shares of 1p par value each in issue.
SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS
As at 10 April 2025, the Company had been advised of the following notifiable
interests (whether directly or indirectly held) in voting rights.
Name Shareholding Percentage
David Williams 275,000 36.7%
Hargreaves Lansdown (Nominees) Limited 106,528 14.2%
Giles Willits 100,000 13.3%
Bank of New York Nominees Limited 65,900 8.8%
Transact Nominees Limited 30,000 4.0%
David Morris 25,000 3.3%
Tessera Investment Management Limited 25,000 3.3%
As at 10 April 2025, the Directors in aggregate held 375,000 ordinary shares,
which represents 50.0 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital.
COMPANY DIRECTORS
The Directors during the year and summaries of their experience are set out
below.
David Williams Non-Executive Chairman (aged 72)
David has over 40 years' experience in investment markets, serving as Chairman
in executive and non-executive capacities for a number of public and private
companies. He has overseen the development of these companies, raising in
excess of £1 billion of capital to support both organic and acquisitive
growth initiatives.
David was the original founder of Marwyn Capital LLP, the award-winning
investment management company. David was also formerly Chairman of
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE: ETO), Zetar plc, and Oxford BioDynamics Plc (AIM:
OBD), and Non-Executive Director of Breedon Group plc (LSE: BREE). He
currently serves as Non-executive Chairman of the AIM-quoted cyber security
business, Shearwater Group plc (AIM: SWG) and Main Market listed Red Capital
Plc (LSE: RED) and is a Non-Executive Director of Bay Capital Plc (LSE: BAY).
Giles Willits Non-Executive Director (age 58)
Giles has more than 22 years' experience in senior leadership and financial
roles in multiple household name businesses. He was recently appointed Chief
Executive Officer of Intuitive Investments Group plc (LSE: IIG), an investment
company concentrating on fast growing and/or high potential technology and
life sciences businesses. Prior to this, Giles was Chief Financial Officer and
board director of IG Design Group plc (AIM: IGR), the world's largest consumer
gift packaging organisation.
Previously Giles was Chief Financial Officer of Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:
ETO), having joined prior to its admission to trading on AIM in 2007, during
which time the business grew organically and through acquisitions to a market
capitalisation of over £1 billion, becoming a FTSE250 premium listed
organisation. He was also formerly Director of Group Finance at J Sainsbury
plc and qualified as a chartered accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
During his extensive career, Giles has completed numerous corporate
acquisitions as part of buy-and-build strategies, acquiring private and
publicly listed companies, stepping companies up from AIM to the Main Market,
as well as leading on equity and debt financings in support of organic growth
and acquisition activity.
The Directors who held office during the year and their beneficial interest in
the share capital of the Company at 31 December 2024 were as follows:
31 December 2024
David Williams 275,000
Giles Willits 100,000
375,000
DIRECTORS REMUNERATION
The Chairman and Non-Executive Director are each entitled to fees of £20,000
each per annum for their respective roles within the Company, as per their
service agreements entered into on 13 July 2021. During the year, £10,339
of Director fees were accrued (2023: nil). There are no other benefits paid to
Directors outside of their service fees, save for ordinary course reimbursable
expenses properly incurred in the performing of their duties as Directors. The
Company does not operate a pension scheme.
Salary Benefits in kind 31 December 2024 Total
Director £ £ £
David Williams 20,000 - 20,000
Giles Willits 20,000 - 20,000
40,000 - 40,000
In addition to the Directors' fee entitlements outlined above, the Directors
are also participants in the Subco Incentive Scheme as detailed below.
SUBCO INCENTIVE SCHEME
The Directors believe that the success of the Company will depend to a high
degree on the future performance of key employees and advisers in executing
and supporting the Company's growth strategy. The Company has therefore
established equity-based incentive arrangements which are, and will continue
to be, an important means of retaining, attracting and motivating key
employees, consultants and advisers, and also for aligning the interests of
the Directors with those of shareholders.
On 27 May 2021, the Group created a new Subco Incentive Scheme within its
wholly owned subsidiary Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited. Under the terms of
the Subco Incentive Scheme, scheme participants are only rewarded if a
predetermined level of shareholder value is created over a three to five year
period or upon a change of control of the Company or Subco (whichever occurs
first), calculated on a formula basis by reference to the growth in market
capitalisation of the Company, following adjustments for the issue of any new
ordinary shares and taking into account dividends and capital returns
("Shareholder Value"), realised by the exercise by the beneficiaries of a put
option in respect of their shares in Subco and satisfied either in cash or by
the issue of new ordinary shares at the election of the Company.
Under these arrangements in place, participants are entitled up to 15 per
cent. of the Shareholder Value created, subject to such Shareholder Value
having increased by at least 12.5 per cent. per annum compounded over a period
of between three and five years from Admission, or following a change of
control of the Company or Subco.
In order to implement the Subco Incentive Scheme, the Company as sole
shareholder of Subco, approved the creation of a new share class in Subco (the
"B Shares"). At the same time the Subco's existing ordinary shares were
redesignated A Shares. The B Shares do not have voting or dividend rights.
On 27 May 2021, David Williams, Chairman of the Company, Giles Willits, a
Non-Executive Director of the Company, and Kathleen Long and Anthony Morris,
Directors of Tessera Investment Management Limited ("Tessera"), became the
first participants in the Subco Incentive Scheme ("Founder Participants"), and
as such, the proportion of Shareholder Value attaching to the Subco Incentive
Scheme is 2.9 per cent. of a total cap of 15 per cent.
The Founder Participants and their respective holdings are outlined below.
Participant Subco B shares held
David Williams 1,667
Giles Willits 24,000
Kathleen Long 1,667
Anthony Morris 1,666
29,000
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
As a Jersey company and a Shell Company (Equity Shares) on the London Stock
Exchange, under the new UK Listing Rules ("UKLR"), the Company is not required
to comply with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018.
Furthermore, there is no applicable regime of corporate governance to which
the directors of a Jersey company must adhere over and above the general
fiduciary duties and duties of care, skill and diligence imposed on such
directors under Jersey law. Notwithstanding this, the Directors are committed
to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and will be responsible
for carrying out the Company's objectives and implementing its business
strategy.
All investment, acquisition, divestment and other strategic decisions are
considered and determined by the Board. At present, the Board reviews
investment and acquisition opportunities on an as required basis, and meets
regularly with its Strategic Advisor to discuss possible inorganic growth
opportunities, as well as monitor deal flow and investment and acquisitions in
progress, and review the Company's strategy to ensure that it remains aligned
to the delivery of shareholder value. Those investment and acquisition
opportunities that are assessed by the Board (with support from its Strategic
Advisor) are considered in light of the investment and acquisition criteria as
detailed in the Company's Admission Document. In addition, as part of the
investment and acquisition screening process, the Company will augment Board
and Strategic Advisor capability on a case by case basis as required with
industry and operating partner input, where deep domain expertise can be
accessed. The Board provides leadership within a framework of prudent and
effective controls. The Board has established the corporate governance values
of the Company and has overall responsibility for setting the Company's
strategic aims, defining the business plan and strategy and managing the
financial and operational resources of the Company.
In this regard, the Board, so far as is practicable given the Company's size
and stage of its development, has voluntarily adopted the 2023 QCA Code as its
chosen corporate governance framework. There are certain provisions of the QCA
Code which the Company will not adhere to currently, and their adoption will
be delayed until such time as the Directors believe it is appropriate to do
so. It is anticipated that this will occur concurrently with the Company's
first material investment or acquisition. Details on how the Company applies
the ten principles of the 2023 QCA Code are set out below and on the Company's
website at www.acceler8.ventures.
Principles of the QCA Code How the Company has complied
1 Establish a purpose, strategy and business model which promote long-term value This is outlined in the Directors Report.
for shareholders
2 Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours The Board operates an open and inclusive culture which is reflected in the way
that the Board conducts itself. As the Company has only two Directors, the
Board will formally assess and monitor corporate culture following the first
acquisition / investment.
3 Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations The Chair is the Group's principal spokesperson with investors, fund managers,
the press and other interested parties. As well as the Annual General Meeting
with shareholders, the other Directors may give formal presentations at
investor road shows following the announcement of interim and full year
results.
Notice of this year's Annual General Meeting will shortly be sent to
shareholders.
As noted below, there are no material environmental or social matters to
report to investors at this stage of the Company's development.
4 Take into account wider stakeholder interests, including social and Given the Company's size and stage of development, the Directors have no
environmental responsibilities and their implications for long-term success material environmental or social issues to report at this juncture. This
will be reviewed with the relevant KPI's following execution of its investment
and acquisition strategy alongside the development of a corporate and social
responsibility policy.
5 Embed effective risk management, internal controls and assurance activities, This is outlined in the Risk Management section and the Internal Controls
considering both opportunities and threats, through the organisation section below. An audit, remuneration and nomination committee will be
implemented following the Company's first acquisition with appropriate terms
of reference in addition to an enhanced risk management and governance
framework tailored to the operating assets and strategic direction of the
enlarged entity.
6 Establish and maintain the board as a well-functioning balanced team led by The Directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and
the chair capabilities required for the Board as outlined above.
The Directors commit sufficient time to discharge their duties as directors of
the Company, and meet the expectations of their respective roles. There is
no maximum time commitment specified, and outside of formal board meetings,
the Directors devote additional time to the Company in respect of preparatory
work and ad hoc meetings, particularly when the Company undergoes increased
corporate activity.
During the year, each Director attended all four of the formally scheduled
quarterly Board meetings of the Company. The Board will be augmented with
suitably qualified additional executive and non-executive directors including
independents following the first acquisition / investment.
7 Maintain appropriate governance structures and ensure that individually and The Chair is responsible for leading the Board and ensuring that the Group
collectively the directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills maintains an appropriate corporate governance framework. The Board, so far
and capabilities as is practicable given the Company's size and stage of its development, has
voluntarily adopted the 2023 QCA Code as its chosen corporate governance
framework, and compiles with those principles that the Board believe are
appropriate for the Company given it has no employees nor any operations.
Each Director has substantial experience operating within publicly listed
organisations, performing executive and non-executive roles. Whilst the
Company does not currently provide any formal Board training, it is through
the Directors other executive and non-executive roles, and past experiences,
that they maintain the necessary skills and capabilities to discharge their
duties. Where specialist advice is sought for certain matters, the Directors
will consult with Company advisers. In the year, the Directors utilised
Mayer Brown International LLP (Company counsel) and Tessera Investment
Management Limited (strategic adviser) as it related to their announced
proposed acquisition in December 2024, and engagement with the FCA.
8 Evaluate board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking In the year, the Board evaluation process was limited to an ongoing informal
continuous improvement evaluation of the performance of the Board by each Director. This will be
replaced by a formal, annual evaluation process once the Group has completed
its first acquisition covering the Board and Committees, including succession
planning.
9 Establish a remuneration policy which is supportive of long-term value With no employees and no operations, the Group is focused on cost control and
creation and the company's purpose, strategy and culture pays only minimal fees to the Directors as part of their service contracts.
The principle around remuneration as detailed in the Company's prospectus
remains unchanged; an incentivisation programme that is designed to drive
value and build towards future monetisation events where participants are only
rewarded for the delivery of shareholder value over a sustained period, and
therefore have interests aligned with shareholders.
10 Communicate how the company is governed and is performing by maintaining a The Board will continue to monitor its application of the 2023 QCA Code and
dialogue with shareholders and other key stakeholders revise its governance framework as appropriate as the Group evolves.
The Board recognises the importance of maintaining regular dialogue with
shareholders to ensure that the Group's strategy is communicated and to
understand the expectations of our shareholders.
As noted above, audit and remuneration committee reports will be published
following the Company's first acquisition and formation of these committees.
ROLE OF THE BOARD
The Board is responsible for the management of the business of the Group,
setting the strategic direction of the Group and establishing the policies of
the Group. It is the Directors' responsibility to oversee the financial
position of the Group and monitor the business and affairs of the Group, on
behalf of the shareholders, to whom they are accountable. The primary duty of
the Directors is to act in the best interests of the Group and Company at all
times. The Board also addresses issues relating to internal control and the
Group's approach to risk management and has formally adopted an
anti-corruption and bribery policy.
The Group does not have a separate investing committee and therefore the Board
as a whole will be responsible for sourcing acquisitions and ensuring that
opportunities are in conformity with the Group's strategy.
The Group holds four formal Board meetings a year, with unscheduled meetings
as matters arise which require the attention of the Board. The Directors
commit sufficient time to discharge their duties as directors of the Company,
and meet the expectations of their respective roles. There is no maximum
time commitment specified, and outside of formal board meetings, the Directors
devote additional time to the Company in respect of preparatory work and ad
hoc meetings, particularly when the Company undergoes increased corporate
activity.
During the year, each Director attended all four of the formally scheduled
quarterly Board meetings of the Company.
The Group has not adopted a formal policy on diversity; however, it is
committed to a culture of equal opportunities for all, regardless of age, race
or gender. The Board is currently made up of two male directors and there
are no other employees in the Company.
INTERNAL CONTROLS
The Board acknowledges its responsibility for establishing and monitoring the
Group's systems of internal control. Although no system of internal control
can provide absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss, the
Group's systems are designed to provide the Directors with reasonable
assurance that problems can be identified on a timely basis and dealt with
appropriately.
The Group maintains an appropriate process for financial reporting. The annual
budget is reviewed and approved by the Board before being formally adopted.
Other key procedures that have been established and which are designed to
provide effective control are as follows:
Management structure - The Board meets regularly on a formal and informal
basis to discuss all issues affecting the Group.
Investment appraisal - The Group has a robust framework for investment
appraisal and approval is required by the Board, where appropriate.
Share dealing and inside information - the Company has adopted a share dealing
code regulating trading and confidentiality of inside information for the
Directors and other persons discharging managerial responsibilities (and their
persons closely associated) which contains provisions appropriate for a
company whose shares are admitted to trading on the Official List
(particularly relating to dealing during closed periods which will be in line
with the Market Abuse Regulation). The Company takes all reasonable steps to
ensure compliance by the Directors and any relevant employees with the terms
of that share dealing code.
The Board reviews the effectiveness of the systems of internal control and
considers the major business risks and the control environment. No significant
deficiencies have come to light during the year and no weaknesses in internal
financial control have resulted in any material losses, or contingencies which
would require disclosure, as recommended by the guidance for Directors on
reporting on internal financial control.
The Directors are focused on careful management of the Group's cash and
financial resources through Board level approvals. At such time that the Group
completes an acquisition, the Directors anticipate that the Group's financial
position and prospects procedures regime will be updated and expanded as
necessary to cater for the nature of the Group's business following completion
of its inaugural investment or acquisition.
EXTERNAL ADVISERS
The Board accessed the following external advisers during the year and post
the year end for ongoing business as usual matters as well as specialist
advice in relation to the Company's proposed acquisition announced on 17
December 2024, and its related interactions with the FCA:
Mayer Brown International LLP and Ogier (Jersey) LLP - legal
Tessera Investment Management Limited - capital markets and M&A
JTC Plc - company secretarial, governance and regulatory filings
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
A Director has a duty to avoid a situation in which he or she has, or can
have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts, or possibly may conflict,
with the interests of the Company. The Board has satisfied itself that there
are no conflicts of interest where the Directors have appointments on the
Boards of, or relationships with, companies outside the Company. Furthermore,
the Board requires Directors to declare all appointments and other situations
which could result in a possible conflict of interest, and therefore believes
it has a robust framework to deal with any conflict of interest should it
arise.
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR
So far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information of
which the Group and Company's independent auditor is unaware, and each
Director has taken all the steps that he ought to have taken as a Director in
order to make himself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish
that the Group and Company's independent auditor is aware of that information.
The Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that:
· the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the relevant financial
reporting framework, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities,
financial position and profit or loss of the Group and Company and the
undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;
· the Chairman's Statement and Report of the Directors includes a fair review of
the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group
and Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a
whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties
that they face; and
· the annual report and accounts, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and
understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders to
assess the Group and Company's position and performance, business model and
strategy.
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
The auditor, MHA, previously traded through the legal entity MacIntyre Hudson
LLP. In response to regulatory changes, MacIntyre Hudson LLP ceased to hold an
audit registration with the engagement transitioning to MHA Audit Services
LLP. The independent auditor, MHA, will be proposed for re-appointment at
the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
David Williams
Chairman
29 April 2025
Statement of Directors' Responsibilities
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Directors' report and the
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Jersey Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for
each financial year. Under that law the Directors have elected to prepare the
consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards as adopted by the United Kingdom ("IFRS") and the Company
financial statements in accordance with FRS 101 "Reduced disclosure
Framework", the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK. Under
company law, the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless
they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs
of the Group and Company and of the profit or loss of the Group for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
· make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
· state whether the Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with IFRS as adopted by the United Kingdom;
· state whether the Company financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with FRS 101 "Reduced disclosure framework"; and
· prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are
sufficient to show and explain the Group and Company's transactions and
disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the
Group and Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements
comply with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991. They are also responsible for
safeguarding the assets of the Group and Company and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other
irregularities.
The maintenance and integrity of the Group's website is the responsibility of
the Directors. The work carried out by the independent auditors does not
involve the consideration of these matters and, accordingly, the independent
auditors accept no responsibility for any changes that may have occurred in
the accounts since they were initially presented on the website. Legislation
in Jersey governing the preparation and dissemination of the accounts and the
other information included in annual reports may differ from legislation in
other jurisdictions.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2024
2024 2023
Note £ £
Administrative expenses (160,996) (156,347)
Other operating income - 99,980
Operating loss 6 (160,996) (56,367)
Interest receivable 7 516 1,131
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (160,480) (55,236)
Taxation charge 8 - -
Loss and total comprehensive loss for the year (160,480) (55,236)
Loss per share
Basic and diluted 9 (£0.21) (£0.07)
Loss attributable to:
Owners of the parent company (160,480) (55,236)
Non-controlling interests - -
All activities in both the current and the prior period relate to continuing
operations.
The notes below form part of these consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 31 December 2024
31 December 31 December 31 December 31 December
2024 2024 2023 2023
Note £ £ £ £
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents 11 113 160,441
Trade and other receivables 12 7,472 7,055
Total current assets 7,585 167,496
Total assets 7,585 167,496
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 13 53,949 53,694
Total current liabilities 53,949 53,694
Total liabilities 53,949 53,694
Total net (liabilities)/assets (46,364) 113,802
Equity
Issued share capital 15 7,500 7,500
Share premium 16 729,598 729,598
Capital redemption reserve 16 2 2
Share-based payment reserve 18 1,086 772
Non-controlling interest 16 67 67
Retained deficit 16 (784,617) (624,137)
Total (deficit)/equity (46,364) 113,802
The consolidated financial statements were approved and authorised for issue
by the Board on 29 April 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
David Williams
Chairman
The notes below form part of these consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Share capital Share premium Capital redemption reserve Share- based payment reserve Non-controlling interest Retained deficit Total
Note £ £ £ £ £ £ £
At 31 December 2022 7,500 729,598 2 459 67 (568,901) 168,725
Loss for the year - - - - - (55,236) (55,236)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:
Share-based payment charge 18 - - - 313 - - 313
At 31 December 2023 7,500 729,598 2 772 67 (624,137) 113,802
Loss for the year - - - - - (160,480) (160,480)
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:
Share-based payment charge 18 - - - 314 - - 314
At 31 December 2024 7,500 729,598 2 1,086 67 (784,617) (46,364)
The notes below form part of these consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended 31 December 2024
2024 2023 (as restated)
£ £
Operating activities
Loss before taxation (160,480) (55,236)
Adjustments for:
Interest receivable (516) (1,131)
Share-based payment charge 314 313
Operating cash flows before changes in working capital (160,682) (56,054)
Increase in trade and other receivables (583) (20)
Increase / (decrease) in trade and other payables 255 (29,395)
Net cash outflows from operating activities (161,010) (85,469)
Investing activities
Interest received 682 962
Net cash inflow from investing activities 682 962
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (160,328) (84,507)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year 160,441 244,948
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 113 160,441
The consolidated cash flows for the year ended 31 December 2023 have been
restated to separately disclose cash flows relating to interest received on
cash balances. Previously this was included within the increase in trade and
other receivables.
As the Group does not have any financing liabilities outside of working
capital and has no cashflows from financing activities in both periods
presented, no separate net debt reconciliation has been presented within these
consolidated financial statements.
The notes below form part of these consolidated financial statements.
Notes forming part of the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024
1 General information
The Company is a public limited company incorporated and domiciled in Jersey,
whose shares are publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange as a Shell
Company (Equity Shares). The Company is the parent company of Acceler8
Ventures Subco Limited (a private company under the laws of Jersey with
registered number 134587), and together form the "Group".
The address of its registered office is 28 Esplanade, St. Helier, Channel
Islands, JE2 3QA, Jersey.
The Group has been incorporated for the purpose of identifying suitable
acquisition opportunities in accordance with the Group's investment and
acquisition strategy with a view to creating shareholder value. The Group will
retain a flexible investment and acquisition strategy which will, subject to
appropriate levels of due diligence, enable it to deploy capital in target
companies by way of minority or majority investments, or full acquisitions
where it is in the interests of shareholders to do so. This will include
transactions with target companies located in the UK and internationally.
2 Material accounting policies
The accounting policies set out below have, unless otherwise stated, been
applied consistently to all periods presented in theses consolidated financial
statements.
The principal policies adopted in the preparation of the consolidated
financial statements are as follows:
(a) Basis of preparation
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
the requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by
the United Kingdom ("IFRS") and the requirements of the Companies (Jersey) Law
1991.
The consolidated financial statements are prepared on the historical cost
basis.
The comparative figures presented cover the year ended to 31 December 2023.
(b) Basis of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements present the results of the Company and
its subsidiaries (the "Group") as if they formed a single entity. Intercompany
transactions and balances between Group companies are therefore eliminated in
full.
Where the Group has control over a Company, it is classified as a subsidiary.
The Group controls a Company if all three of the following elements are
present: power over the Company, exposure to variable returns from the
Company, and the ability of the Group to use its power to affect those
variable returns. Control is reassessed whenever facts and circumstances
indicate that there may be a change in any of these elements of control.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business
combinations using the acquisition method. In the consolidated statement of
financial position, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and
contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the
acquisition date. The acquisition related costs are included in the
consolidated statement of comprehensive income on an accruals basis. The
results of acquired operations are included in the consolidated statement of
comprehensive income from the date on which control is obtained.
(c) Functional and presentational currency
The Group's functional and presentational currency for these financial
statements is the pound sterling.
(d) Going concern
The Group and Company's unaudited cash balance as at 24 April 2025 was
£3,315. As a result, the Group and the Company are reliant upon near term
financial support provided to it by the Directors who also continue to forgo
salary payments, and have injected loan capital into the Group.
At present, the Directors have a number of discussions underway with financing
parties who have indicated their interest and appetite to recapitalise the
Group ahead of any formal RTO process. The Directors believe that the
conclusion of these discussions will likely occur over the next four to eight
weeks, at which point, it is anticipated that new funding will be injected
into the Group that when combined with any existing cash balance, will provide
adequate working capital to execute operations over the next 12 months. The
successful necessary investment by new financing parties, including the timing
and amount of such, are matters that are not entirely within the control of
the Directors, and thus represent material uncertainties that may cast
significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
The Directors, therefore, have made an informed judgement at the time of
approving the financial statements, that there is a reasonable expectation
that, on successful consummation of the aforementioned funding discussions,
the Group and Company have adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for the foreseeable future. As a result, the Directors have adopted
the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual financial
statements. The accompanying financial statements do not include any
adjustments that would be required if they were not prepared on a going
concern basis.
(e) Interest receivable
Interest receivable is recognised on a time-proportion basis using the
effective interest rate method.
(f) Employee benefits
Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on an undiscounted basis
and are expensed as the related service is provided. A liability is recognised
for the amount expected to be paid under short-term cash bonus or
profit-sharing plans if the Group has a present legal or constructive
obligation to pay this amount as a result of past service provided by the
employee and the obligation can be estimated reliably.
(g) Taxation
Tax on the profit or loss for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Tax
is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to
items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which
case it is recognised in other comprehensive income or equity respectively.
Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or
loss for the year, using tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted
at the statement of financial position date.
Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences between the carrying amounts
of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts
used for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not
provided for: the initial recognition of goodwill; the initial recognition of
assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other
than in a business combination, and differences relating to investments in
subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the
foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the
expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets
and liabilities, using tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at
the statement of financial position date.
A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that
future taxable profits will be available against which the temporary
difference can be utilised.
(h) Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and short-term deposits with
an original maturity of three months or less from inception, held for meeting
short term commitments.
(i) Equity
Equity comprises of share capital, share premium, capital redemption reserve,
share-based payment reserve, non-controlling interest and retained deficit.
Share capital is measured at the par value.
Share premium and retained deficit represent balances conventionally
attributed to those descriptions. The transaction costs relating to the issue
of shares was deducted from share premium.
The Capital redemption reserve is made up on amounts arising from the
cancellation of the deferred shares.
Share-based payment reserve includes the cumulative share-based payment
charged to equity.
Non-controlling interest reserve arises out of amounts due to holders of the B
shares in Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited.
(j) Financial assets and liabilities
The Group's financial assets and liabilities comprise cash and cash
equivalents and accruals. Financial assets are stated at amortised cost less
provision for expected credit losses. Financial liabilities are stated at
amortised cost.
(k) Share-based payments
The Group operates an equity-settled share-based payment plan. The fair value
of the employee services received in exchange for the grant of options is
recognised as an expense over the vesting period, based on the Group's
estimate of awards that will eventually vest, with a corresponding increase in
equity as a share-based payment reserve.
This plan includes market-based vesting conditions for which the fair value at
grant date reflects and are therefore not subsequently revisited. The fair
value is determined using a binomial model.
(l) Related party transactions
The Group discloses transactions with related parties which are not wholly
owned with the same group. It does not disclose transactions with members of
the same group that are wholly owned.
(m) Accounting standards issued
The following amendments to standards were issued and adopted in the year,
with no material impact on the financial statements (all effective for annual
periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024):
· Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-Current and Non-Current
Liabilities with covenants (Amendments to IAS 1)
· Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback (Amendments to IFRS 16)
· Supplier Finance Arrangements (Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7)
There were no other new accounting standards issued that have been adopted in
the year.
(n) Standards in issue but not yet effective
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements there were
amendments to standards which were in issue, but which were not yet effective,
and which have not been applied. The principal ones are detailed below. The
Directors do not expect the adoption of these amendments to standards to have
a material impact on the financial statements.
Effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2025:
· Amendments to IAS 21 - The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates: Lack
of exchangeability
· Introduction of IFRS 18 to replace IAS 1 - Presentation and Disclosure in
Financial Statements
3 Accounting estimates and judgements
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Directors have to make
judgments on how to apply the Group's accounting policies and make estimates
about the future. The Directors do not consider there to be any critical
judgments that have been made in arriving at the amounts recognised in the
consolidated financial statements with the exception of the valuation of
share-based payments. Please see note 18 for further details.
4 Employees
Staff costs, including Directors, consist of:
2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 40,000 43,464
40,000 43,464
2024 2023
Number Number
The average number of employees, including Directors, during the year was:
2 2
5 Directors' remuneration
The Company Directors are considered the only key management personnel and
their remuneration was as follows:
2024 2023
£ £
Directors' emoluments 40,000 43,464
40,000 43,464
6 Operating loss
2024 2023
£ £
This has been arrived at after charging/ (crediting):
Professional services 71,460 (24,737)
Fees payable to the Company's independent auditor for the audit of the parent 25,000 20,000
and consolidated accounts
An amount of £99,980 recognised within the operating loss for the year ended
31 December 2023 relates to a payment received by the Company under a cost
indemnity arrangement (the "Cost Indemnity") in place with a counterparty,
over which a director of the Company has significant influence due to common
directorships. Pursuant to the Cost Indemnity, the counterparty agreed to
repay certain transaction expenses incurred by the Company in the event that
an acquisition of the counterparty by the Company was not successfully
concluded. This has resulted in an overall credit within the "professional
services" category of administrative expenses in the year ended December 2023.
7 Interest receivable
2024 2023
£ £
Bank interest receivable 516 1,131
8 Taxation
2024 2023
£ £
Jersey corporation tax
Corporation tax on loss for the year - -
Total taxation on loss on ordinary activities - -
2024 2023
£ £
Loss before tax (160,480) (55,236)
Tax for financial service companies at 10% (2023: 10%) (16,048) (5,524)
Effect of:
Tax losses on which a deferred tax asset has not been recognised 16,048 5,524
Total taxation on loss on ordinary activities - -
Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that
taxable profits will be available against which the deductible temporary
differences and carry forward tax losses/credits can be utilised. Accordingly,
the Group has not recognised deferred tax assets in respect of deductible
temporary differences and carry forward tax losses as at 31 December 2024 and
31 December 2023 respectively, as it is not probable at year end that relevant
taxable profits will be available in future based on the current activities of
the Group as a holding group. There are no expiry dates on these tax losses as
at the year end. The unrecognised deferred tax asset is summarised below:
Tax losses and unrecognised deferred tax asset carried forward 2024 2023
£ £
Cumulative temporary differences and carry forward tax losses 784,617 624,137
Unrecognised deferred tax asset on above at 10% (based on the enacted tax rate
at the date of signing the financial statements)
78,462 62,414
9 Earnings per share
Earnings per share ("EPS") is calculated by dividing the loss after tax for
the year by the weighted average number of shares in issue for the year, these
figures being as follows:
2024 2023
£ £
Loss used in basic and diluted EPS, being loss after tax (160,480) (55,236)
Adjustments:
Share-based payment charge 314 313
Adjusted earnings used in adjusted EPS (160,166) (54,923)
The Subco Incentive Scheme share options (note 18) have not been included in
the diluted EPS on the basis that they are anti-dilutive, however they may
become dilutive in future periods.
2024 2023
Number Number
Weighted average number of ordinary shares of 1p each used as the denominator
in calculating basic and diluted EPS
750,000 750,000
Earnings/(loss) per share
Basic and diluted (£0.21) (£0.07)
Adjusted - basic and diluted (£0.21) (£0.07)
10 Subsidiaries
The Company directly owns the ordinary share capital of its subsidiary
undertakings as set out below:
Subsidiary Nature of business Country of incorporation Proportion of A ordinary shares held by Company Proportion of B ordinary shares held by Company
Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited Intermediate holding company Jersey, Channel Islands 100 per cent. 0 per cent.
The address of the registered office of Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited (the
"Subco") is 28 Esplanade, St. Helier, Channel Islands, JE2 3QA, Jersey. The
Subco was incorporated on 25 March 2021.
The A ordinary shares have full voting rights, full rights to participate in a
dividend and full rights to participate in a distribution of capital. The B
ordinary shares have been issued pursuant to the Company's Subco Incentive
Scheme.
11 Cash and cash equivalents
2024 2023
£ £
Cash and cash equivalents 113 160,441
113 160,441
12 Trade and other receivables
2024 2023
£ £
Other receivables 3 169
Prepayments 7,469 6,886
7,472 7,055
13 Trade and other payables
2024 2023
Current trade and other payables £ £
Accruals 53,949 53,694
53,949 53,694
14 Financial instruments
The Group's financial assets and liabilities comprise cash and cash
equivalents, other receivables and accruals. The carrying value of all
financial assets and liabilities equals fair value given their short-term
nature.
Financial assets
measured at amortised cost
2024 2023
£ £
Current financial assets
Cash and cash equivalents 113 160,441
Other receivables 3 169
116 160,610
Financial liabilities
measured at amortised cost
2024 2023
£ £
Current financial liabilities
Accruals 53,949 53,694
53,949 53,694
Credit risk
The Group's credit risk is wholly attributable to its cash balance. All cash
balances are held at a reputable bank in Jersey. The credit risk from its cash
and cash equivalents is deemed to be low due to the nature and size of the
balances held.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its
financial obligations as they fall due.
The Group's approach to liquidity risk is to ensure that sufficient liquidity
is available to meet foreseeable requirements and to invest funds securely and
profitably, where those funds are available to do so. As noted in the Report
of the Directors, the Directors continue to explore funding opportunities for
the Company and remain positive about the successful conclusion of these,
which would lead to the recapitalisation of the business.
The following table details the contractual maturity of financial liabilities
based on the dates the liabilities are due to be settled:
Financial liabilities:
Less than 1 year 2 to 5 Years More than 5 years Total
£ £ £ £
Accruals 53,949 53,949
At 31 December 2024 53,949 - - 53,949
Accruals 53,694 53,694
At 31 December 2023 53,694 - - 53,694
15 Share capital
Allotted, called up and fully paid
2024 2023 2024 2023
Number Number £ £
Ordinary shares of 1p each: 750,000 750,000 7,500 7,500
At 31 December 750,000 750,000 7,500 7,500
All shares are equally eligible to receive dividends and the repayment of
capital and represent one vote at the shareholders' meeting of the Company.
16 Reserves
Share premium and retained earnings represent balances conventionally
attributed to those descriptions. The transaction costs relating to the issue
of shares was deducted from share premium.
Capital redemption reserve includes amounts in relation to deferred shared
capital.
The Group having no regulatory capital or similar requirements, its primary
capital management focus is on maximising earnings per share and therefore
shareholder return.
The non-controlling interests reserves arises out of amounts due to holders of
the B shares in Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited.
The Directors have proposed that there will be no final dividend in respect of
2024 (2023: £Nil).
17 Share Incentive Plan
On 14 July 2021, the Group created a Subco Incentive Scheme within its wholly
owned subsidiary Acceler8 Ventures Subco Limited ("Subco"). Under the terms of
the Subco Incentive Scheme, scheme participants are only rewarded if a
predetermined level of shareholder value is created over a three to five year
period or upon a change of control of the Company or Subco (whichever occurs
first), calculated on a formula basis by reference to the growth in market
capitalisation of the Company, following adjustments for the issue of any new
Ordinary shares and taking into account dividends and capital returns
("Shareholder Value"), realised by the exercise by the beneficiaries of a put
option in respect of their shares in Subco and satisfied either in cash or by
the issue of new ordinary shares at the election of the Company.
Under these arrangements in place, participants are entitled to up to 15 per
cent. of the Shareholder Value created, subject to such Shareholder Value
having increased by at least 12.5 per cent. per annum compounded over a period
of between three and five years from admission or following a change of
control of the Company or Subco.
18 Share-based payments
The Subco Incentive Scheme detailed in note 17 is an equity-settled share
option plan which allows employees and advisors of the Group to sell their B
shares to the company in exchange for a cash payment or for shares in the
Company (at the Company's election) if certain conditions are met.
These conditions include good and bad leaver provisions and that growth in
Shareholder Value of 12.5 percent compound per annum is delivered over a three
to five year period for the scheme to vest. This second condition is therefore
a market condition which has been taken into account in the measurement at
grant date of the fair value of the options.
The weighted average exercise price of the outstanding B share options is
£Nil which have a weighted average contractual life of 3 years 9 months.
29,000 B share options were issued in the nine-month period to 31 December
2021, all of which were outstanding at the current year end. No B share
options were exercised in the current or prior period. No B share options have
expired during the current or prior period.
The Group recognised £314 (2023: £313) of expenditure in the statement of
total comprehensive income in relation to equity-settled share-based payments
in the year.
The fair value of options granted during the period is determined by applying
a binominal model. The expense is apportioned over the vesting period of the
option and is based on the number which are expected to vest and the fair
value of these options at the date of grant.
The inputs into the binomial model in respect of options granted in 2021 are
as follows:
Opening share price £1
Expected volatility of share price 16.67%
Expected life of options 5 years
Risk-free rate 0.71%
Target increase in share price per annum 12.5%
Fair value of options 5.397p
Expected volatility was estimated by reference to the average 5-year
volatility of the FTSE SmallCap Index.
The target increase in Shareholder Value is laid out in the Articles of
Association of the Subco and represents the compounded target annual increase
in market capitalisation (adjusted for capital raises and dividends) that
needs to be met between the third and fifth anniversary of the Group's
admission onto the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in order for the
scheme to vest.
The Group did not enter into any share-based payment transactions with parties
other than employees and advisors during the current or prior period.
19 Related party transactions
Transactions with key management personnel
Key management personnel comprise the Directors of the Company. The
remuneration of the individual Directors is disclosed in the Report of the
Directors and Directors' remuneration in note 5.
20 Post balance sheet events
Subsequent to the year ended 31 December 2024, the Company announced on 23
January 2025 a proposal to raise up to £750,000 through the issuance of
unsecured convertible loan notes (the "Notes") to support the diligence and
acquisition process relating to the proposed acquisition of Verifyyed, Inc.
The Notes would be issued on the following terms:
· An accrued coupon of 8 per cent. per annum to be rolled until the conversion
of the Notes
· Automatic conversion of the Notes principal and accrued interest into ordinary
shares of the Company at the earlier of completion of the proposed acquisition
of Verifyyed, Inc. and three years from the date of issuance
· A conversion price of £1.00 per ordinary share
On 24 March 2025, the Directors each loaned the Company £7,500 for working
capital purposes. The loans are interest free and repayable on the earlier
of June 26 or a qualifying recapitalisation of the Company.
21 Contingent liabilities
There are no contingent liabilities at the reporting date which would have a
material impact on the financial statements.
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. END FR PKCBPOBKDNQBRecent news on Acceler8 Ventures
See all newsREG - Acceler8 Ventures - Full Year Results year ended 31 December 2024
AnnouncementREG - Acceler8 Ventures - Proposed Convertible Loan Note Issuance
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