3. Powering your
Early-Stage
company to Success
ESIC Hub is Australia’s first and only online platform dedicated to
serving the needs of the early-stage community of:
Entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers
Investors
Advisers
Melbourne & Sydney
61-2-8073 9191
4. 4
Lead player
in the consultation
and design of the
ESIC program.
Read more about Stephen Crowe @
esichub.com/who-we-are/
5. What
is an ESIC?
= Early Stage Innovation Company
(under Australia’s tax laws)
Melbourne & Sydney
61-2-8073 9191
6. 6
What does
it mean for
you?
• Immediately attractive to investors.
• Empowers you in your negotiations with
your investors.
• Gives you more control over your capital
raising.
7. 7
When is it
relevant?
Being an ESIC is relevant at the testing time > when equity is
issued and $paid for.
ESIC is a dynamic status and needs measuring each and every time
new equity is issued.
As with most things, TIMING IS EVERYTHING in the ESIC
Environment.
8. Am I
an ESIC?
Let’s find out…
ESIC Hub’s on-line ESIC Predictor
http://esichub.com/esic-predictor/
Melbourne & Sydney
61-2-8073 9191
9. ESIC Ready
Fantastic. Let’s engage with Investors
ESIC In Progress
You’re on your way and require our help
Not ESIC
Not at this time. Ask ESIC Hub what is
needed
Melbourne & Sydney
61-2-8073 9191
10. So, how do I become an ESIC?
Seek a ruling
from the ATO
Do It Yourself
4
Find an expert ESIC
adviser
11. Expert Advice - what you
should look for in an
ESIC adviser
Someone who:
• Is used to dealing with innovative early stage companies and
investors
• Understands the ESIC law in detail and how it applies to you
• Understands investors and capital markets
• Works with you in a client centric and timely manner
• Is a licensed & experienced ESIC tax professional
1
12. So, what does ESIC
Hub actually do?
We provide a secure, regulated and compliant marketplace
where the ESIC benefits are delivered:
1. We certify your ESIC. You and your investors get peace of
mind.
2. We give you a tax opinion around your ESIC status that
you can rely on.
3. We give your investors an expert tax opinion.
4. We offer R&D tax services and other government-to-
industry programs (e.g grants).
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13. How does an investor
benefit from investing in an
ESIC?
Investors who subscribe for new equity in an ESIC receive:
• A 20 per cent non-refundable carryforward tax offset on amounts
invested in qualifying ESICs, with the offset capped at $200,000
per sophisticated investor & $10,000 per retail investor per year
(on an affiliate-inclusive basis); and
• An exemption from capital gains tax for profits made on ESIC
investments owned between 1 and 10 years.
1 7
1 7
15. Melbourne & Sydney
61-2-8073 9191
.com
Stephen Crowe Founder of ESIC Hub
Stephen is passionate about innovation and investment. He is the pre eminent authority on ESIC in Australia.
Having spent the last 20 years focussed on a broad range of senior investment, tax and R&D roles including at
Macquarie Bank, Citigroup and in his own boutique consultancy since 2000.
Stephen’s introduction to innovation investment began in Macquarie Bank’s technology investment division
assisting clients with their innovation investments.
Before joining Macquarie Bank, Stephen was a tax manager at one of the Big 4 international accounting firms.
His interest in innovation and investment became more global when he joined Citigroup, where he was a Director of
the bank-owned R&D investments and Vice President of Corporate and Structured Finance, assisting global clients
on their financing and investment strategies across all industries.
Stephen founded CLEARSPACE in 2000, a boutique consultancy devoted to securing financial incentives and
strategic benefits that create wealth for its clients.
Stephen has overseen and implemented a broad range of financial solutions, including R&D and additional tax
benefit packaging, domestic and cross border leasing, and additional funding for innovation activities for public
organisations and private corporations. He has worked with government-to-industry initiatives for over 20 years.
Stephen’s skills have allowed him to advise on how to implement funding and structure strategies for industry. He
has been also been a founding equity investor in several successful startups.
Stephen’s involvement in the International Banks and Securities Association as a committee member and his broad
international financing experience allow him to deliver excellent strategic and practical advice to a range of
Australian businesses.
He is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Chartered Tax Adviser with the Taxation Institute of
Australia and registered with the Tax Practitioners Board of Australia.
