Investors and their advisers from across the country are to gather for a seminar that will present a picture of the support environment for seed investing in Scotland.

The event on Wednesday, May 16 is aimed at investors and advisers who are looking to fund small and start-up businesses.

The leaders of many of Scotland's most established and experienced 'angel' investment groups - those who work together to support and invest in fledgling enterprises - will also participate.

David Grahame, CEO of LINC Scotland, the host organisation, commented: "It is generally accepted that the three main 'levers' on the angel market are tax incentives, access to co-investment and direct support for delivery mechanisms, and Scotland is almost unique in having all three well developed.

"We feel it is important to take this as an opportunity to encourage new capital towards the early stage venture market as the government hopes, and not just see it going into clever tax avoidance products."

The government's Seed Enterprise Investment scheme, which came into effect on the 6th April, aims to encourage new capital towards the early stage venture market, an area of business that comes with particular challenges.

"We’re keen to ensure that our marketplace, which is very high risk at any time, does not suffer reputational damage through being driven just by tax avoidance," says David Graham.

"Many other aspects need to be considered to optimise risk management and overall returns, which is why we took the initiative to host a seminar on the topic for both current and would be investors."

The SEIS seminar is supported by Scottish Enterprise, NESTA, Scottish Financial Enterprise, IoD Scotland, Business Forum Scotland, HMRC and HM Treasury.