placings are about getting cash for the company - sometimes it needs to be such a bargain (for new investors) to compensate for the risk of further dilution if/when the money runs out.
The placing must have been a bit of a shock to those who believed all was going well.....and I suppose the new Appointment looks a bit odd - as to age I don't think it matters...but I'm concerned that he brings experience of getting technology out into the Market - surely they have done this and are focussed on this sensor-control aspect?

Until a company has an income to support the DIrectors the staff and research the business is vunerable to ruin and/or takeover (at a bargain price!) - so investors need to be able to see what's going on - ideally by see the business on its home turf - look at the products etc......this is why investing in what you know and what you can see is a good idea.

I don't hold VIY:-
1) I don't understand the business
2) I can't see the product, or experience its application.
3) It's based in the US, so any upside (or loss) will involve strange tax-position.
4) 8p shares will continue to be sold long-before I can realise any profit from today's sp (abt 12p) - that's 50% up however you look at it.

However, it's seen some spectacular rises in the past and if they do secure on-going buiness such that their overheads are met...then their future may be bright again.

Now is the time to buy, if the VIY story has improved as the recent funding means there is some price-support. |Whilst I still don't hold this (for the reasons given before), a punt on better times ahead, looks like a reasonably sure profit might be made, based on 7.5p to buy. That's below the July(?) placing-price.
-So, Paulo" - are you piling-in?

why buy now when you will be able to buy at 4p soon

...or even wait for 6 years and buy at 1.20p... lol