CSS Partners LLP is an appointed representative of Charles Street Securities Europe LLP (CSS) which was founded in 1984. CSS is a privately owned investment management and corporate finance organisation authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. In 2001, the private client business was established with the express intention of opening up the world of investing in early stage companies to private clients, which has historically been the domain of institutions and angel investors. Traditionally, private clients were only able to look at companies for investment after they reached the listing stage (generally through an initial public offering). Typically, long before going public, most private companies will have received expansion capital through various sources including banks, fund managers, venture capitalists etc. Involvement at these private rounds of financing often offers the highest upside on investment. It is this area of investment that CSS Partners now makes available to private investors. Investment in private companies presents a high risk speculation with the potential for significant capital gains on successful investments. We believe that sound research and due diligence go a long way to help investors make informed decisions in this area of the market.