Triodos teams up with natural insect repellent firm for EIS investment offer

The sustainable bank Triodos has partnered with natural insect repellent manufacturer Incognito for an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) offer that could deliver healthy returns, offer tax breaks and do social good.

UK-based Incognito develops plant-based repellents that researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say are clinically proven to protect against malaria. It supplies high street names such as Holland & Barrett and Waitrose, as well as a range of smaller brands.

Its products are free of synthetic or toxic compounds, including the widely used Deet – which a group of scientists last year said was losing its effectiveness against mosquitos.

A first EIS offer raised £360,000 to help Incognito finance its future growth, but a second tranche – worth £60,000 – has been made available, closing at the end of April. Minimum investment has been set at £12,000.

Designed to help smaller high-risk companies raise finance, the EIS allows investors to invest up to £1m each year and receive an initial 30% income tax relief. They are also exempt from capital gains tax and inheritance tax.

Howard Carter, Incognito’s founder and managing director, said, “Incognito sales are moving at a record pace and we are confident we can significantly grow our UK turnover in the year ahead.”

He explained that the partnership with Triodos will enable the company to increase its presence in the export market and develop its customer relationships.

“The capital will also help to ensure we have the capacity and infrastructure to manage this growth trajectory”, Carter added.

The World Health Organisation says 3.4 billion people worldwide are at risk of malaria. 2012 saw around 207 million cases and an estimated 627,000 deaths as a result.

Mortality rates have reduced globally by 42% since 2000, owing to better prevention and control measures, but people in the poorest regions of the developing world remain vulnerable.

A study published in March suggested that rising temperatures caused by climate change could allow malaria to spread to new regions, therefore putting even more lives at risk.

Call 0117 980 9593 or email investments@triodos.co.uk for more details.

In accordance with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, Blue & Green Communications Limited does not provide regulated investment services of any kind, and is not authorised to do so. Nothing in this article and all parts herein constitute or should be deemed to constitute advice, recommendation, or invitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe for or underwrite any investment of any kind. Any specific investment-related queries or concerns should be directed to a fully qualified financial adviser.

Further reading:

Climate change could put millions more at risk of malaria

Deet is losing its effectiveness against mosquitoes, scientists say

Healthy Planet UK conference: is climate change bad for your health?

Dengue fever outbreak ‘imminent’ in Europe because of climate change

30,000 year-old giant ‘frozen’ virus found in Siberia as ice melts