Verdi Agro Fund: A Strong Harvest and a Promising Horizon

April 16, 2025  Green Technology, GreenTech, Investments

Verdi Agro Fund: A Strong Harvest and a Promising Horizon

At Willow Rivers Wealth, we continue to prioritise investments that offer long-term sustainability, resilience, and meaningful performance. We’re pleased to share a positive update on one of our featured alternative investments — the Verdi Agro Fund — which has just released its October 2024 factsheet.

Key Highlights:

  • Consistent Returns: The fund has delivered a net return of 13.59% for the second financial year and an impressive 14.62% annualised since inception.

  • Asset Expansion: It now controls 4,700 hectares across three farms, supported by ongoing technological and infrastructure upgrades.

  • Operational Resilience: Despite frost and virus pressures, crop yields remained stable through smart tech, targeted fertiliser use, and precision farming.

  • Vertical Integration: The recent acquisition of Druhá Poběžovická farm not only boosts scale but has also led to better financing terms.

  • Biogas Plant Renewal: The upgraded biogas facility is now more profitable, contributing to the fund’s ESG credentials and operational returns.

Looking Ahead: Verdi Agro Fund is actively pursuing further acquisitions, diversification, and sustainable infrastructure upgrades. A strong risk management framework supports its approach to climate, market, and operational uncertainty.

Agri Fund

As it stands, Verdi Agro Fund is now firmly recognised as a top-tier performer among qualified investor funds in the Czech Republic, with a robust outlook for continued growth.

For clients seeking alternatives with a tangible ESG footprint and real asset backing, this fund remains a core holding recommendation.

Agri Fund

Investment Opportunities in Renewable Energy: A Sustainable Future Await

October 2, 2024  alternative investments, FinTech, GreenTech, Investments, property development, property investment, PropTech, Solar

As the world shifts towards sustainability, investment opportunities in renewable energy are more promising than ever. With global initiatives focused on reducing carbon emissions, investors are increasingly looking to capitalize on this dynamic sector. In this blog, we’ll explore the top investment opportunities in renewable energy and why now is the perfect time to invest.

The Growing Demand for Renewable Energy

According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy capacity has been growing at an unprecedented rate, with investments reaching over $300 billion globally in 2022 alone . This growth is driven by increasing demand for clean energy solutions and government incentives to transition away from fossil fuels.

1. Solar Energy Investments

Solar energy remains at the forefront of renewable energy investments. With decreasing costs of solar technology, including solar panels and batteries, this sector offers substantial growth potential. Investing in solar farms or residential solar energy systems can yield attractive returns, especially in regions with ample sunlight.

2. Wind Energy Projects

Wind energy is another area ripe for investment. Offshore wind farms, in particular, are gaining traction. The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) reported that offshore wind capacity is expected to quadruple by 2030 . Investing in wind energy can not only generate significant returns but also contribute to energy independence.

3. Emerging Technologies

Investors should also consider emerging technologies such as hydrogen energy, energy storage solutions, and smart grids. These innovations are set to revolutionize the energy landscape, offering new avenues for investment. A report by McKinsey indicates that the hydrogen economy could be worth $2.5 trillion by 2030 .

Conclusion

Investing in renewable energy presents a unique opportunity to contribute to a sustainable future while generating substantial financial returns. With the sector experiencing unprecedented growth, now is the time to explore the diverse investment opportunities available.

Interested in exploring renewable energy investment opportunities? Contact us today to learn how you can get involved in this exciting sector!

Navigating the Future of Alternative Investment with Willow Rivers Wealth

June 11, 2024  alternative investments, FinTech, GreenTech, Investments, property development, property investment, PropTech, Solar, Uncategorized

At Willow Rivers Wealth, we understand the unique investment landscape navigated by High-Net-Worth (HNW) and Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) individuals. Our expertise in exclusive investment opportunities has positioned us as a leading advisor in the realms of Proptech, Fintech, and Greentech sectors.
The Prestige of Luxury Real Estate Investments
Our clients are afforded the opportunity to invest in luxury real estate investments, a cornerstone of wealth that not only appreciates over time but also offers the exclusivity and grandeur befitting their status.
Championing Renewable Energy Funds
In line with our commitment to sustainability, Willow Rivers Wealth has been a pioneer in renewable energy funds. We help our clients invest in green technology, which is not just a trend but a movement towards a sustainable future.
High-Yield Investment Programs with a Conscientious Approach
While high-yield investment programs can be enticing, we at Willow Rivers Wealth prioritise security and due diligence. Our private wealth management services ensure that every investment is scrutinised for its merit and potential.
Asset Diversification for a Resilient Portfolio
We advocate for asset diversification, ensuring our clients’ portfolios are robust and resilient. Our services extend to estate planning services and tax optimisation for investors, safeguarding their wealth across various asset classes.
Direct Impact Investing through Angel Networks and Venture Capital
Willow Rivers Wealth connects HNW and UHNW investors with angel investing networks and venture capital, fostering direct investments in startups and innovative companies poised for growth.
Bespoke Property Investment Consultation
Our bespoke property investment consultation services are tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients, ensuring alignment with their investment goals and lifestyle preferences.
Investing in the Future with Sustainable Energy Project Investment
We guide our clients through sustainable energy project investment, offering them a chance to be part of the global shift towards cleaner energy solutions.
Exclusive Access to Off-Market Property Deals
Willow Rivers Wealth provides exclusive access to off-market property deals, presenting our clients with unique investment opportunities that are not available to the general public.
Specialised High-Value Asset Management
Our approach to high-value asset management is meticulous and personalised. We understand the intricacies of managing significant investments and the importance they hold in our clients’ portfolios.
At Willow Rivers Wealth, we are more than just an investment consultancy; we are partners in our clients’ journey towards financial growth and sustainability. Join us as we navigate the exciting and transformative opportunities that the future holds.
—
Source: Conversation with Copilot, 11/06/2024
(1) Home – Willow Rivers. https://willowrivers.com/.

News: Asset-Backed Token Raise to Support the Build of Algae Biomass Protein Farms

June 29, 2022  biotech, bitcoin, blockchain, cryptomining, decentraland, energystorage, Ethereum, FinTech, Green Technology, GreenTech, how it invest in the metaverse, How to invest for inflation, How to profit from inflation, how to profit from the metaverse, inflation proof investments, Investments, meditech, meta, metaverse, property development, PropTech, Smart grid, Solar, tech investment, Uncategorized

Globacap announces the offering of Sustainable Impact Token (SIT) to support the construction of algae biomass farms.

SIT is the world’s first blockchain-based algae biomass project offering. The project will be built utilising patented sustainable technology to deliver a pioneering green investment opportunity.

Algae From Solar

Carbon credits generated by biomass projects will be tokenised as Algaecoin.

The world’s first blockchain-based algae biomass project, built on the energy-efficient Tezos blockchain, was today announced by leading capital markets technology firm, Globacap.
Developed and operated by Sustainable Impact Token (SIT), the project will support the development, construction, and operation of algae biomass farms. The initiative will use blockchain technology to bridge the gap between two of the fastest growing investor markets in the world – asset-backed finance and crypto.
Algae Biomass Investment
Algae Biomass Plant
SIT’s algae biomass farms produce high quality, non-animal protein, based on a system powered exclusively using renewable energy. These algae farms are absorbing large amounts of carbon out of the autmosphere and a net producer of renewable energy. The SIT project is currently supporting the development of a “proof of concept” algae biomass farm in Europe using patented, sustainable technology.
Myles Milston, CEO of Globacap says, “Being part of this pioneering project marks an important milestone in our ongoing mission to enable frictionless asset creation and transferability. With Globacap, the capital raising process is completely digital, mostly automated, transparent, secure, and regulatory compliant. Our work with SIT and Tezos is transformational in the way this market can operate.”
The $5 billion algae biomass sector is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.3% during the next 5 years ( Quince Market Insights) and the success of the project will provide the basis to expand globally. SIT provides investors with tokens issued via smart contracts deployed on the proof-of-stake Tezos blockchain, representing their preferred shares in the project. Carbon credit generated from the algae production will also be tokenized into Algaecoin, a tokenized asset representing tradable carbon credits. “By bringing agri-tech solutions and carbon credit-backed assets into private markets and beyond, we can make significant, impactful steps towards sustaining our planet for future generations,” adds Milston.
The SIT offering was designed to enable frictionless transferability in full compliance with securities regulation through the Tezos FA2 compliant token contracts for holding and settlement. This pioneering offering links the sustainable asset-backed and crypto investment worlds together to create a compelling blockchain-enabled investment vehicle. “As solutions to the macro challenges of food scarcity and sustainable energy production continue to be a global priority, demand for investment vehicles that can also support these objectives are increasing. We are thrilled to see Globacap choose Tezos to power this unique blockchain based, asset-backed offering,” says Mason Edwards, from Tezos Foundation.
Tezos is an energy-efficient open source blockchain network powered by a globally decentralised network of users and validators. Companies and builders around the globe leverage Tezos for projects exploring the potential for blockchain to be a tool for sustainable innovation. Recently, Cambridge University announced the Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits (4C) which is creating a trusted decentralised marketplace on Tezos where purchasers of carbon credits can confidently and directly fund trusted nature-based projects that ties together corporate funders to conservationists via automated and transparent global oracles.
Globacap is committed to driving adoption of tokenization for most asset classes and providing a means for digital securitisation to global capital markets. Blockchain technology enables previously illiquid investment to now be transacted efficiently in seconds instead of weeks, and with minimal overheads. Globacap’s mission is to bring the archaic processes behind capital markets into the digital era by offering private placement, securities issuance, securities registry management, and liquidity products.
Chairman & Founder of Sustainable Impact Token, Peter Henderson, says “Our vision is to play our part in addressing some of the real challenges of our time – how can the growing world population be fed sufficiently, nutritiously and can this ambition be achieved in a way that improves, rather than harms, the environment? We believe our approach helps on all of these fronts and know that the investor community is keen to join us on the journey.”
“We wanted to structure the offering using an innovative, transparent and secure approach. Investors are being offered an attractive return, in a real asset, but through digital technology – and they can make their investments through fiat or crypto currencies.” “Bringing to market the token offering has been amazingly smooth, which is a credit to our partners at Globacap , Tezos and Lumin Capital.”
To learn more about Sustainable Impact Token get in touch for a copy of the white paper by filling in the below contact form.

    To learn more about Globacap, visit https://globacap.com/

    To learn more about Tezos, visit https://tezos.com/

    ###

    About Globacap:

    Globacap is driving the digitisation of all assets by using technology to unlock the true potential of capital markets. It has standardised the securities landscape, enabling frictionless asset creation and transferability. Over $14 billion of private share and debt instruments are digitally administered on the platform, and Globacap has now executed over $180 million of secondary liquidity in private securities with digital, automated settlement. Globacap is regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) as an arranger and custodian and its platform can onboard investors from over 60 countries, in compliance with local regulations. For more information on how Globacap is changing the private capital markets industry, please visit globacap.com.

    About Tezos:

    Tezos is smart money, redefining what it means to hold and exchange value in a digitally connected world. A self-upgradable and energy-efficient Proof of Stake blockchain with a proven track record, Tezos seamlessly adopts tomorrow’s innovations without network disruptions today. For more information, please visit www.tezos.com.

    How To Profit From Inflation.

    May 21, 2021  FinTech, Green Technology, GreenTech, How to invest for inflation, How to profit from inflation, inflation proof investments, Investments, property development, property investment, PropTech, Solar

    How To Profit From Inflation.

     

    Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few weeks, you will have seen that the markets have been spooked by the prospects of higher inflation. This has come about due to the post Covid bounce we predicted back in January, in our Roaring 20s article. https://willowrivers.com/the-roaring-20s-are-back/ This latest article looks at how to profit from inflation.

    Just in case you don’t know what inflation is. I have borrowed a definition from Robbert Kiyosakis website: The simple definition of inflation is when prices rise and the purchasing power of a currency drops. It means that you can buy less with your money than you used to be able to. Simple!

    So we are all getting poorer. Our money goes less far and this is bad news unless our income is linked to inflation.

    Luckily there are ways of beating this. Some assets perform better than others in an inflationary environment and we are lucky enough to have a number of these on our books here at Willow Rivers Wealth Ltd.

    How to profit from inflation
    How to profit from inflation

    Long-term (since 1950) correlation between inflation & various financial/real assets.

    So lets first look at what not to do!

    The worse thing you can do, is hold all your net worth in cash in an inflationary environment. You are effectively making a negative return. With some analyst stating inflation could pass 5% this is a very real threat.

    The boom on the back of the rapid vaccine rollout is starting to take shape and many assets and commodities are getting swept up in the rapid recovery. None more so than in the construction industry:

    https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/supply-chain/construction-materials-shortage-5-key-items-in-short-supply-17-05-2021/

    https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/developers-urged-to-start-now-to-beat-build-inflation

    Inflation in building materials will lead to higher prices for construction and thus higher property prices down the line. Added to this, demand for property is rising as people come out of look down and look to improve their living standards.

    Fuel prices are also rising rapidly as we get back on the roads and start to fly again. Expect $100 oil in the not too distant future. https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/oil-gas/peak-demand-more-like-a-supply-crisis-propelling-oil-to-us100

    So how do we beat and profit from inflation?

    How to profit from inflation

    • Property Investment

    So the first and most obvious place to look when trying to beat inflation in the property market. Inflation is also a good time to use leverage. One can buy a property with a buy-to-let mortgage and buy an appreciating asset with a 25% deposit but see capital appreciation on the full value of the property. If you fix in your mortgage rate for several years you should be able to see steady capital appreciation and rental growth, while your fixed interest costs remain the same. A very crude example of this would be a if a 100,000 pound flat appreciates by 10% and you have invested 25,000 you have made a paper profit of 40%. (10,000/25,000 x100) comfortably beating inflation. There are obviously other costs to take into account but even when these are added you should still be well clear of any inflation.

    • Property development.

    By developing houses and projects now, you can build at the current prices and sell at the new rate of inflation in 6 to 12 months time. We offer a number of property developments around the county all with market beating returns of 15%+. We use a JCT contract https://corporate.jctltd.co.uk/products/about-our-contracts/ which fixes the price of the build at the front end and avoids any uncomfortable surprises for the investor. Get in touch to find out about our latest development opportunities around the county. More details at www.willowrivers.com

     

    • Commodities

    You can trade commodities on all the usual platforms such as Etoro and IG. Oil, Copper and Timber are already showing excessive growth, but just about any commodity used in the building process will see substantial growth over the next couple of years.

     

    • Renewable energy with inflation linked returns.

    We have been developing renewable energy projects for over ten years now. Feed-in-tariffs linked to inflation are a thing of the past now, however we are still building private projects with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The power generated from wind, solar or geothermal is sold back to the business below and the contract is fixed for 20 to 30 years with an inflation linked kicker to the price. We are able to generate 10% to 15% pa returns which will rise in line with inflation. Get in touch to find out what projects we have available for investors. Projects start from 20,000 pounds to 25m. www.willowrivers.com

    • Farmland and Forestry

    UK Farmland will also appreciate again. The combination of the security land ownership offers, zero inheritance tax and yields linked to commodity prices will attract both UK and international investors alike. We work closely with a number of UK land companies and can help with forestry and agricultural land investment.

    Conclusion

    Don’t just take our word for it, hedge fund manager Michael Burry made famous in the the movie Big Short is also investing for inflation. https://moguldom.com/338484/famous-big-short-investor-michael-burry-warns-weimar-like-hyperinflation-is-coming-to-america/

    Now is the time to get your house in order and profit from what is likely to be a bumpy road ahead.

    If you have any questions about building an inflation proof portfolio, do get in touch and we can discuss some strategies.

      Additional resources on inflation:

       

      Institute of International Monetary Research has produced a good video on their inflation expectations over the next couple of years.

       

      Good video here on why we can expect higher inflation of the next couple of years.

      https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/15/the-fear-that-haunts-markets-is-inflation-coming-back

      https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-biggest-inflation-scare-in-40-years-is-coming-what-stock-market-investors-need-to-know-11617846712

      https://www.wsj.com/articles/if-inflation-is-coming-here-is-what-to-do-about-it-11620694235

      The Roaring 20s are back

      January 26, 2021  biotech, bitcoin, blockchain, cryptomining, energystorage, FinTech, Green Technology, GreenTech, Investment Ideas, Investments, meditech, property development, PropTech, Smart grid, Solar

      The Roaring 20s are back

      Whats happening in 2021?

      Three weeks into 2021 and it seems like a good time to take stock and have a look at what’s happening in the world of investments and wealth management this year.

      With Christmas being a very low-key affair and people not being allowed to travel, things seemed to go back to normal much earlier than usual.

      Brexit was finally put to bed without too much disruption and the virus continues to burn like a smouldering peat bog, flaring up each season. But with a vaccine on horizon for most and the worst fears of Brexit out the way, business confidence is definitely on the rise. Are the Roaring 20s are back ?

      Roaring 20s are back
      Roaring 20s are back

      Property

      We have seen an electric start to our property developments in Kent and Cambridge.
      Our first offering, a small 2 bedroom timber framed house was funded in the first week of the year and it looks like we have secured 3 investors for our larger development of 4 terrace houses.

      We have secured two more projects, another Kent and one in Sussex. Due to the fast nature of these deals they rarely make it to the website. So if you are interest in development opportunities, please get in touch and we will add you to the list. They are all very straight forward. We secure projects with full planning and developer finance in place. All we require is the equity to close the deal. We manage all contractors and you receive 15% pa during the build. Your security is a second charge against the asset after the bank. The average project length is 8-12 months.

      Biomedical

      The Cambridge biomedical sector goes form strength to strength as the AstraZeneca vaccine gets a global roll out. This has really highlighted how important the Cambridge Biomedical Campus is and our Cambridge biomedical fund is perfectly positioned to make the most of this over the next few years, click here to find out more and request a brochure.  The fund has full HMRC approval so can be used for tax planning under the EIS and SEIS schemes.

      Renewable Energy

      We are still seeing lots of interest in our renewable energy opportunities. Our Geothermal project in Hungary continues to perform year after year and generates a genuine 12% net PA for our investors. Click here for more details. We are also working on new solar and gas CHP projects throughout the UK. If you are looking for renewable energy assets do let us know as we can source just about all asset types including energy storage.

      Crypto

      We saw considerable increases in the price of all major crypto assts over the Christmas period as predicted here back in November. Bitcoin got a bit crazy towards the start of the year and some of that froth has since blown off. The price has stabilised around the $30k mark and will likely start to increase again once the new US government makes its stance clear on crypto assets. You can’t stop people investing in crypto but you can certainly make it more difficult. The UK recently banned leveraged investments in crypto for retail investors and its not impossible other countries will follow suit. That doesn’t meant to say demand is falling, just slowing down for a bit. Large corporate entities such as Greyscale continue to accumulate very rapidly and we expect this trend to continue and prices to rise due to the finite supply of bitcoins.

      Now is not a bad time to be buying the dip before the next move higher later this year.

      Along with our FPGA mining rigs we will also be offering GPU mining to profit from the rising price price of Ethereum and the demand for DeFi (Decentralised Finance) https://blog.coinbase.com/a-beginners-guide-to-decentralized-finance-defi-574c68ff43c4 .

      DeFi is set to transform the finance and banking sector over the next few years. I wont go into too much detail here, but expect to hear a lot more about this space in the coming months.

      Artificial Intelligence (AI)

      For those looking for more explosive growth potential in the technology sector, our AI Fund is just the ticket. Achieving 214% over the past 4 years this collection of the 42 most exciting AI stocks globally, is chosen using AI then approved by a panel of AI experts. Click here to find out more and request a brochure.

       

      Predictions

      So to conclude, 2021 is going to be a very busy year, we see exceptional opportunities in the property development sector due to pent up demand form Covid-19. Crypto and DeFi will change the way we do business and finance. The UK will be one of the early winners from it”s advanced biomedical sector and the rapid rollout of the vaccine.

      We see a great many positives in 2021 and we hope you will join Willow Rivers Wealth for the ride during the return of the ‘’Roaring 20s’’.

       

      Ben Jefferis

      Director

      Error: Contact form not found.

      Roaring 20s are back

      History in the making – Investment ideas for 2021

      November 17, 2020  biotech, bitcoin, blockchain, cryptomining, energystorage, FinTech, Green Technology, GreenTech, Investments, meditech, PropTech

      History in the making – Investment ideas for 2021

      There seems to be a great many historical events unfolding at the same point in time, we look at some investment ideas for 2021

      It’s only when you stop to write a blog or spend some time to reflect that you realise this is history in motion. As I write this, Donald Trump, the president of the United States of America is calling the election rigged and is questioning the validity of the result. This undermines so many things and erodes trust in just about everything.

      Bitcoin price over the last 2 months

      I am sure its no coincidence that we have seen a rally in Bitcoin of over 60% in the last two months. Peoples trust in the state and monetary system is dissolving.

      No matter what your stance on Bitcoin, it’s independent nature has to have some allure as even the president calls into question the system itself. This recent Twitter thread by Raoul Pal explains it’s long term potential very well and why we should all be holding some Bitcoin.

      Brexit negotiations are nearing the end game, with neither party willing to budge and a no deal Brexit is looking increasingly likely. The EU is also threatening our energy security as part of the deal.

      We have not even mentioned the virus and its ”cure” announced last week. The timing of which also occurred right after the election. The markets took the news with great gusto. Pfizer was up almost 16% on the day at one point.

      So what does all this mean for investors??

      The Pfizer cure is only 90% effective and has only had a limited trial, however as I write this Moderna (MRNA) has just announced a vaccine with a 95% success rate, which ironically was fast-tracked by the Trump administrations funding.

      This has also seen another stock market move higher, along with oil prices and Bitcoin.

      So should we be out on the streets throwing a party and celebrating the end of perhaps the worse year in many peoples lives? Possibly!

      However things are going to get worse before they get better, the time lag in producing the vaccine and the onset of winter flu seasons means many more will sadly die and our health systems will be stretched. We will have to endure a miserable winter and a lockdown Christmas before we can get out on the streets.

      Green Shoots

      Spring 2021 will be a time of great prosperity as months of pent up demand are released in an investment boom not seen for some time.

      And although now may not seem like the time, now is when you should be planning for this. We have compiled a quick to do list ready for 2021.

      Your to-do list investment ideas for 2021

      • Buy Bitcoin or invest in crypto mining

      • Invest in property development now to meet the needs of 2021

      • Invest in Biotech R&D

      • Avoid the stock market as this was over brought during the pandemic

      • Avoid Brexit affected sectors

      • Invest in energy and energy storage to negate the effects of Brexit

      • Stay healthy during the winter

      It will be interesting to see how the treasury manages this post investment boom. They have obviously run up massive debts during the pandemic and as such will be keen to recoup this. One such suggestion has been to tax drivers on a pay per mile tax, which seems rather unfair, another will be to raid business. What ever they choose lets hope its done in such a way as not to strangle growth.

      So keep your head down for a few more months, get your house in order and prepare for the good times again in the spring. If you have any questions or would like any suggestions on how best to play the above please get in touch and we will gladly give you a free consultation.

      Cambridge Biomedical EIS Fund

      October 14, 2020  biotech, FinTech, Green Technology, GreenTech, Investments, meditech, PropTech

      Cambridge Biomedical EIS Fund

      We have been very bullish about the prospects of the Cambridges property market and our latest development here is nearly fully funded.

      We selected the development due to it’s close proximity to the Biomedical Campus and the AstraZeneca building.

      Money continues to flow into the Biomedical Campus, the government has just committed another £120 million for a new cancer research hospital right next to the AstraZeneca building and a short walk from our development. This will create more jobs and demand for accommodation in the area.

      Cambridge Biomedical Campus

      New Cancer Research Centre Cambridge
      New Cancer Research Centre Cambridge

       

      Off the back of our time spent in Cambridge we have been introduced to a Biomedical Enterprise Investment Scheme Fund. The fund has been designed to find and invest in early stage biotech companies, with an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence in Cambridge.

      The Cambridge based office has a wealth of experience in angel investing and Cambridge Biomedical start ups and they already have a good track record of picking winners.

      We are very pleased to be working with them and hope our clients will too.

      EIS Relief available

      The fund will invest in SEIS and EIS qualified companies. EIS/SEIS is a tax relief scheme created by the UK Government to encourage investment in seed-stage startups and businesses.

      If eligible, you can claim back up to 50% of the value of your investment in the form of income tax relief. Therefore, if you make an investment of £100,000, you can save £50,000 in income tax.

      The combination of tax relief and arguably the worlds most important industry in the wake of Covid-19 makes this a very compelling investment.

      Cambridge lab space

      Investing In The New Normal & Cambridge

      September 18, 2020  biotech, Green Technology, GreenTech, Investments, meditech, PropTech

      Investing In The New Normal & Cambridge

      Its been a while since I last wrote a blog back in March about the pain and suffering the COVID-19 was about to inflict on both individuals and markets.

      I will be honest and say I did not see the stock market bouncing back anywhere near as quickly as it has. However my call on Gold has been justified with a price rise from $1660 to $1951 as I write this. Thats a 17% return during a global pandemic in less than 6 months… not bad, I know quite a few clients have heeded this advice and even leveraged their position for even greater gains.

      Anyway, I am not here to talk about Gold, I do see some more upside but its probably time to take profits and look for the next double digit opportunity.

      Locked down

      So back to the virus. I was the first to call for a lockdown of sorts, or at least ban unnecessary large gatherings such as Cheltenham, I was not however promoting a total paralysis of the UK and most other global economies.

      There is a great article in the FT this week about Swedens approach, a lesson in common sense. They looked at the bigger picture, i.e the economy, mental health and other indirect effects of a total lockdown. This pandemic is not going away anytime soon, we have to look at ways of managing it rather than thinking it will be destroyed any time soon. The Sweden model is a pretty good template.

      I was lucky enough to spend my lockdown in The Netherlands. They also took a simple, sensible approach, keeping business open wherever possible with social distancing and encouraging outdoor activities.

      The result was a 7% decline in the economy compared to the Uk’s 20%. Both are now thankfully on the mend due to government stimulus and the virus not being as bad as previously anticipated, but the debt will be around a lot longer.

      The world has however changed as we know it. Much of London is still a ghost town as people refuse to go back to the office and get comfortable with home working.

      I think the majority of people are shunning the commute rather than the office itself. As someone who spent 5 years crammed on the London Tube at rush hour, I wouldn’t be rushing back if I had an excuse like Covid-19.

      So businesses are embracing the new normal, people are moving out to the burbs to have a garden and more space and companies look for smaller offices in more pleasant locations with shorter commutes.

      Which brings me nicely on to Cambridge.

      Having lived in Oxford for many years, I never spent a great deal of time in Cambridge as it seem to offer much the same experience. Having recently visited the city to view a couple of developments we have funded there, I was surprised by the buzz the city had, even in the middle of a pandemic. Offices were being filled by companies fleeing London, lab space was in short supply due to the demands of COVID-19 research and property prices are being pushed to even higher levels than before the pandemic.

      However it was the biomedical campus that really surprised me the most. Has there ever been a better time to boast Europes biggest medical research and health centre? At its heart is the new AstraZeneca HQ, at a cost of one billion pounds its a serious piece of real-estate, just what you need to start a tsunami of followers to a science park.

      Cambridge Biomedical Campus Investment
      Cambridge Biomedical Campus Investment

      So Cambridge has become something of a global sweat spot. I spent many of my early years sourcing emerging market property based on similar fundamentals. Its not often you find such compelling drivers on your door step. The other nice aspect of R&D is that it wont be effected by Brexit.

      AsttraZeneca Building
      AstraZeneca Building

      Knowledge still passes freely between boarders as far as I am aware.
      I haven’t even touched on what a stunningly beautiful location it it. Picture postcard architecture , weeping Willow trees over the many rivers and wonderful pubs and restaurants, not to mention excellent train connections with London and only half an hour away from Stansted Airport. They are also building a new train station at the science park, which always massively boost property prices.

      So to conclude, I think COVID-19 is going to be major boom for this historical city. More and more people will want to work here, pushing up both rents and property prices. Demand for office space which is already undersupplied will see yields on commercial jump very quickly.

      We have already completed two development opportunities in the city and we are expecting more. We are also going to be working with a biomedical EIS fund. Investors will be able to invest in a basket of local startups and receive tax breaks for doing it. So to find out more about any of these unique ways to play the Cambridge growth story, please get in touch. There has never been a better time to invest in Cambridge.

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      Elections, Brexit and Christmas…….What investors are missing out on…. 

      December 11, 2019  blockchain, FinTech, Green Technology, GreenTech, Investments, PropTech, Smart grid, Solar

      ‘Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse……. Or a deal…… 

       

      That’s how it feels here at Willow Rivers at the moment, the combination of the election, Brexit and Christmas has made for something of a perfect storm for investors to sit on their hands and keep warm.  This blog looks at what investors are missing out on. 

      However the slowdown does not stop us from doing our job. From a sourcing perspective it’s actually quite helpful. 

      We have been getting access to deals that would usually have been snapped up long ago by VC funds and institutional investors. This is especially true with property development opportunities at the moment. 

      I have 3 perfectly structured turn key deals all begging for an investors just waiting to break ground. I am sure they will go as soon as we hear the result of the election. 

      I am also seeing some incredible disruptive technology investments coming across my desk. We are looking for equity for 2 very exciting established companies both with game changing tech in their own right. 

      Solar investment in Australia

      Rooftop solar is the cheapest and cleanest form of energy there is. You may have noticed if you have been to Australia recently, that most large roofs are not full of solar panels. Strange in such a famously sunny county. 

      That’s because there is a problem. Their grid was never built for a two-way flow of energy and too much solar causes voltage problems to local electricity grids designed to bring power only one way. That is why grid operators generally have a zero solar export rule for larger rooftop solar systems.

      Australian Solar Investment
      Behind the meter solar technology to get more income out of your solar asset.

      Our partners have solved this problem with the world’s first, award winning eleXsysTM technology and unleashed the considerable solar energy potential of commercial and industrial roof space. Their technology will allow large scale investment into rooftop solar as it makes these ‘urban solar power stations’ bankable to invest in. Get in touch to find out more, this tech has a truly global reach and will further reduce our need for fossil fuel and maximise the use of our renewable energy sources. 

       

      Video Distribution 

       

      The second such technology we are very excited about is a Blockchain technology. VdoChain will put monetization and control back in the hands of video creators by putting video on the blockchain, delivering on blockchain’s promise of providing a safe and secure way to guarantee ownership of an asset in an untrusted environment.

      Blockchain Investment
      Disruptive technology that allows video to be added to the blockchain.

      VdoChain puts the video asset on the blockchain, unlocking the power of the blockchain to provide guaranteed, public, auditable rights without requiring third- party intervention. 

      TV content currently accounts for $500b globally. That an incredible market and its growing all the time. If this company scrapes even the smallest fraction of this figure with its disruptive technology, their current valuation of $20m will look very cheap indeed. 

      Solar Development Poland.

      If you are not on our mailing list you may not be aware that our solar development bond has just reached a very exciting milestone. 

      We are very proud to announce that we have now reached a significant landmark and that, having been granted all the requisite permissions and with a successful application for a grid connection, the 40MW Chotkow site is ‘ready-to-build’.

      This is great news for us and means we will now proceed to the construction phase of the site and thus it should reach commercial operations date (COD) in early 2020, in line with our planned schedule.

      With this ready-to-build milestone reached and the Power Purchase Agreement in place, the site now has a value of circa £4.8 million before we proceed to construction – although please be aware that these values are not fixed and are subject to change.

      So the project is well advanced, value has been added through planning being approved and we are still accepting bond investors. So if you have between £10,000 and £2,500,000 and would like to receive 10% pa for 3 years secured against 3 utility scale Polish solar projects please get in touch.

      Proptech App: Cureoscity

      Finally, I have joined the team at http://cureoscity.com/ a UK base Proptech firm who are revolutionising the way we interact with our office space. I will be helping them roll out their new building app across Europe. Already installed in a number of iconic London commercial buildings, including the Leadenhall, One Angle Court, and White City Place. This technology to be the norm in most major city commercial offices over the next few years, you heard it here first. 

      The technology and App starts with door access control into the building, no more key cards around your neck. Your phone becomes the key.

      The app will also allow you to book and pay for services and products around the building. Book a meeting room, order lunch to your desk, book a test drive in the latest Electric Vehicle, browse gym classes. You will also be able to arrange external deliveries to your desk and check on the latest events, weather and live travel updates.

      It will integrate with the Internet of Things (IoT) to create a true smart place experience. The app will not only increase the experience and productivity for the end user but also help the building owner to create a more diverse and interesting place to work.

      The apps insight and analytical capabilities will help building owners design spaces we want to spend time in and motivate us to work at our most efficient.

      It will also help optimise the buildings heating and lighting as it learns how people move and interact with their spaces across the day.

      So thats what investors are missing out on this Christmas….. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you sign up to our newsletter to get all the latest investment opportunities and updates. 

      Merry Christmas.

       

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      Australian Solar Investment

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