Brown Capital Management Mutual Funds

08/12/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/12/2024 15:18

Summary Prospectus by Investment Company - Form 497K

bcsfx-497k_072924

Brown Capital Management

International Small Company Fund

Summary Prospectus | July 29, 2024
Institutional Shares (BCSFX)
(CUSIP Number 115291759)

Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund's Prospectus and other information about the Fund online at www.browncapital.com/investmentstrategies/internationalsmallcompanyfundinst/. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 1-877-892-4BCM (1-877-892-4226) or by sending an e-mail request to [email protected]. The Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information dated July 29, 2024 are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus.

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Investment Objective. The International Small Company Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. Current income is a secondary consideration in selecting portfolio investments.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund. These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the International Small Company Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.

Shareholder Fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)Institutional Shares

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed On Purchases

(as a percentage of offering price)

None

Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed

on shares sold within 60 days of purchase)

None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees

1.00%

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

None

Other Expenses

0.06%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

1.06%

Example. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the International Small Company Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the International Small Company Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and the International Small Company Fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year

3 Years

5 Years

10 Years

Institutional Shares

$108

$337

$585

$1,294

Portfolio Turnover. The International Small Company Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the International Small Company Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the International Small Company Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the International Small Company Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 15% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies.

The International Small Company Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in the equity securities of non-U.S. based companies with total operating revenues of $500 million or less at the time of the initial investment, ("small companies"). It is important to note that the International Small Company Fund does NOT choose its portfolio companies based on a reference to market capitalization. Rather, the focus of the International Small Company Fund is on the revenue produced by the issuer of the securities.

The International Small Company Fund typically invests in common stocks. The Advisor seeks to build a portfolio of exceptional small companies with the wherewithal to become exceptional large companies. The International Small Company Fund typically holds a portfolio of between 40-65 securities which the Advisor believes have the potential for growth.

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The International Small Company Fund considers an issuer to be non-U.S. based if: (1) the issuer is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than those of the U.S.; (2) the securities of the issuer have a primary listing on a stock exchange outside the U.S. regardless of the country in which the issuer is organized; or (3) the issuer derives 50% or more of its total revenue from goods and/or services produced or sold outside of the U.S. The Fund may invest in the securities of emerging or developing markets.

The Advisor's Philosophy

The Advisor believes that a sustained commitment to a portfolio of exceptional companies will, over time, generate attractive long-term returns. The Advisor believes exceptional companies save time, lives, money or headaches or provide an exceptional value proposition to consumers. The Advisor views these differentiated organizations as having the wherewithal to provide unique solutions that include, but are not limited to, the utilization of innovative technology and insight to help address or redefine the challenges faced by institutions or consumers. These companies often retain a long-term growth plan, durable revenue growth, defensible market presence and profitability to fuel and sustain earnings per share growth. While investing in exceptional growth companies is paramount, the Advisor believes in being disciplined and deliberate about what it is willing to pay for growth opportunities and doing so in a benchmark agnostic manner (meaning that the Advisor selects companies without consideration of benchmarks by which the Fund is measured). Because the International Small Company Fund is managed in a benchmark agnostic manner, an unintended consequence is that the Fund may have sector exposure.

The Advisor's Investment Approach

The Advisor believes an investment program establishes the processes necessary to identify, research and construct a portfolio. The Advisor distinguishes "Small Company" from "small capitalization" investing by its use of revenue not market capitalization to identify and invest in exceptional small companies that have the wherewithal to become exceptional larger companies. The Advisor sources ideas from many places. Companies eligible for investment typically generate no more than $500 million in revenue at the time of initial investment. The Advisor's investment professionals retain dual duties, managing the portfolio as a team and serving as generalists in their analytical role. They discuss prospective portfolio candidates with teammates before any in depth research is performed to ensure the commitment of time dedicated to understanding the company makes sense to all team members.

The Advisor believes that in-depth fundamental research, when applied over a three to five-year time horizon, and implemented within a benchmark agnostic framework, has the potential to generate attractive long-term returns.

Therefore, the foundation of the Advisor's process is fundamental analysis. Valuation is also part of the investment process.

The Advisor constructs the International Small Company Fund's portfolio to generally be no more than 5% in cash. The Advisor believes a diversified portfolio of 40-65 securities and their research efforts may, collectively, reduce portfolio risk.

The Advisor generally expects to hold securities for the long term. The Advisor typically sells securities from the International Small Company Fund's portfolio when the Advisor determines that the investment thesis driving the purchase of the company changes, the Advisor has a better investment idea, and/or its valuation no longer meets expectations.

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Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.

An investment in the International Small Company Fund is subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of some or all of the principal amount invested. There can be no assurance that the International Small Company Fund will be successful in meeting its investment objective. Generally, the International Small Company Fund will be subject to the following risks:

Market Risk: Market risk refers to the possibility that the value of equity securities held by the International Small Company Fund may decline due to daily fluctuations in the securities markets. Movements in the stock market may adversely affect the specific securities held by the International Small Company Fund on a daily basis, and, as a result, such movements may negatively affect the Small Company's net asset value.

Investment Style Risk: The performance of the International Small Company Fund may be better or worse than the performance of stock funds that focus on other types of stocks or have a broader investment style.

Investment Advisor Risk: The Advisor's ability to choose suitable investments has a significant impact on the ability of the International Small Company Fund to achieve its investment objectives.

Market Sector Risk: The percentage of the International Small Company Fund's assets invested in various industries and sectors will vary from time to time depending on the Advisor's perception of investment opportunities. Investments in particular industries or sectors may be more volatile than the overall stock market.

Equity Securities Risk: To the extent that the majority of the International Small Company Fund's portfolio consists of common stocks, it is expected that the International Small Company Fund's net asset value will be subject to greater price fluctuation than a portfolio containing mostly fixed income securities.

Small Companies Risk: Investing in the securities of small companies generally involves greater risk than investing in larger, more established companies. Although investing in securities of small companies offers potential above-average returns if the companies are successful, the risk exists that the companies will not succeed and the prices of the companies' shares could significantly decline in value. The earnings and prospects of smaller companies are more volatile than larger companies, and smaller companies may experience higher failure rates than do larger companies. The trading volume of securities of smaller companies is normally less than that of larger companies and, therefore, may disproportionately affect their market price, tending to make prices fall more in response to selling pressure than is the case with larger companies. Smaller companies may also have limited markets, product lines, or financial resources, and may lack management experience.

Micro-Companies Risk: Micro-company stocks may be very sensitive to changing economic conditions and market downturns because the issuers often have narrow markets for their products or services, fewer product lines, and more limited managerial and financial resources than larger issuers. The stocks of micro-companies may therefore be more volatile and the ability to sell them at a desirable time or price may be more limited.

Foreign Securities Risk: Foreign securities may involve investment risks different from those associated with domestic securities. Foreign markets may be less liquid, more volatile, and subject to less government supervision than domestic markets. There may also be difficulties enforcing contractual obligations, and it may take more time for trades to clear and settle. Adverse political and economic developments or changes in the value of foreign currency can make it difficult for the International Small Company Fund to sell its securities and could reduce the value of your shares. The International Small Company Fund may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies due to, among other things: smaller markets; differing

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reporting, accounting, and auditing standards; nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; foreign currency fluctuations, currency blockage, or replacement; sovereign solvency considerations; less liquid and more volatile exchanges and/or markets; or political changes or diplomatic developments.

Emerging Markets Securities Risk: Investments in the securities of developing or emerging markets may entail additional risks than investments in foreign securities, including: less social, political and economic stability; smaller securities markets and lower trading volume, which may result in less liquidity and greater price volatility; restrictions on investment opportunities, including restrictions on investments in issuers or industries, or expropriation or confiscation of assets or property; and less developed legal structures governing private or foreign investment.

Performance Information.The bar chart and table shown below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Institutional Shares of the International Small Company Fund by showing changes in the International Small Company Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the International Small Company Fund's average annual total returns compare to that of a broad-based securities market index, the MSCI ACWI ex-USA Index, and the MSCI ACWI ex-USA Small Cap Index and the Morningstar Foreign Small/Mid Growth Category, which are the International Small Company Fund's secondary benchmark indexes. The International Small Company Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the International Small Company Fund will perform in the future. Updated information on the International Small Company Fund's results can be obtained by visiting:

https://www.browncapital.com/investmentstrategies/internationalsmallcompanyfundinst/.

Year-to-date return as of the most recent quarter ended June 30, 2024 was -0.04%.

Quarterly Returns During This Time Period

Highest return for a quarter

31.37%

Quarter ended
June 30, 2020

Lowest return for a quarter

-19.52%

Quarter ended
March 31, 2022

Average Annual Total Returns 

Periods Ended December 31, 2023

Past 1

Year

Past 5

Years

Since Inception

(September 30, 2015)

International Small Company Fund

Before taxes

After taxes on distributions

After taxes on distributions and sale of shares

20.37%

20.36%

12.06%

11.40%

11.02%

9.06%

11.81%

11.43%

9.61%

MSCI ACWI ex-USA Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses,
or taxes)1

16.21%

7.60%

6.82%

MSCI All Country World ex-USA Small Cap Index (reflects no deduction
for fees, expenses, or taxes)

16.23%

8.36%

7.24%

Morningstar Foreign Small/Mid Growth Category

11.85%

6.41%

5.50%

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1In connection with newly adopted SEC regulations applicable to the Fund, the MSCI ACWI ex-USA Index is the Fund's new broad-based securities market index. The Fund will continue to show performance for the Fund's previous broad-based securities market index, the MSCI All Country World ex-USA Small Cap Index. The MSCI All Country World ex-USA Small Cap Index and the Morningstar Foreign Small/Mid Growth Category are each additional benchmark indexes.

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest marginal individual U.S. federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown and are not applicable to investors who hold Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (IRA).

Management.

Investment Advisor. Brown Capital Management, LLC is the International Small Company Fund's Investment Advisor.

Portfolio Managers. The International Small Company Fund is team-managed by Maurice L. Haywood, CFA (Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor), Duncan J. Evered (Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor), Niuzhuo (Zoey) Zuo (Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor), Kayode O. Aje, CFA (Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor), Kwame C. Webb, CFA (Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor), and Edward J. Zane (Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor). Messrs. Haywood and Evered have served as portfolio managers for the International Small Company Fund since its inception in September 2015. Ms. Zuo has served as portfolio manager for the International Small Company Fund since 2022; and Messrs. Aje, Webb and Zane have served as portfolio managers since July, 2024.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares. Each Fund's minimum initial investment is $500,000 for Institutional Shares. Each Fund's minimum subsequent investment is $500 ($100 under an automatic investment plan). The Brown Capital Management Mutual Funds (the "Trust") has elected to provide an exception to the minimum investment requirement for the purchase of Institutional Shares of the Funds to current trustees and officers of the Trust, employees of Brown Capital Management, LLC, and members of the immediate family of any of these persons - these persons are not subject to any minimum initial investment when purchasing Institutional Shares of the Funds. Purchase and redemption orders by mail should be sent to the Brown Capital Management Mutual Funds, specifying Fund name and share class, c/o Commonwealth Fund Services, Inc., 8730 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 205, Richmond, Virginia 23235. Redemption orders by facsimile should be transmitted to 1-804-330-5809. Please call the Funds at 1-877-892-4BCM (1-877-892-4226) to conduct telephone transactions or to receive wire instructions for bank wire orders. The Funds have also authorized certain broker-dealers to accept purchase or redemption orders on its behalf. Investors who wish to purchase or redeem Fund shares through a broker-dealer should contact the broker-dealer directly.

Tax Information. The Funds' distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement (in which case taxes will be deferred until a later time), such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account (IRA).

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. If you purchase shares of the Funds through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Funds and their related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Funds over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.