AXA Winterthur adds venture capital to SIPP funds

AXA Winterthur is offering its SIPP customers the chance to invest in a venture fund from Longbow Capital.

Holders of The One from Winterthur SIPP can now invest in the professionally managed venture fund, which has been specifically designed for investment through a SIPP.

Longbow specialises in healthcare and well-being investments, which AXA Winterthur says are not significantly affected by the dour economic climate, and have been growth sectors in recent years.

The venture fund make direct investments into companies providing health care treatments, which Longbow says are innovative, effective and cost efficient. The capital aims to turn technology solution into commercial successes.

Longbow has already invested in firms providing software to visualise medical images in three dimensions, and devices to improve insight into breast cancers.

David Thompson, managing director of sales and marketing at AXA Winterthur, says: "An allocation to venture investment is particularly useful in the early to middle years of a SIPP's life where timeframes are long and growth is sought."

John.Bakie@incisivemedia.com