The best crowdfunding platforms in United Kingdom
The UK crowdfunding market is one of the oldest and the most iconic ones. The efforts and measures that have been put in place to regulate the crowdfunding market inspire other countries to do so as well. There are many good examples of successful crowdfunding platforms in the UK which you can explore and invest through. There's literally everything from real estate and startups to impact investing and supporting good deeds. However, it's very important to do your due diligence as the bigger the market is, the more there's a chance to stumble upon challenges and risk your finances. Invest or raise capital through verified, regulated or established crowdfunding marketplaces in the United Kingdom to make sure you can expect good results.
5 companies View all platforms
Crowd2Fund
Verified platformThe only investment platform in the UK where investors choose the British entrepreneurs they back. Over £6m in interest paid out to investors from more than 617 unique o...
We make property market investment more accessible by offering a portfolio of fixed-return and low-risk property deals.
Blend Network is a peer-to-peer property lending marketplace that connects lenders directly with borrowers. Lenders can lend from £1,000 to property-secured loans and ea...
AxiaFunder is an online litigation crowdfunding platform that connects investors with carefully vetted commercial litigation investment opportunities that we believe hav...
EstateGuru is the leading European marketplace for short-term, property-backed loans.
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Get listedThere are 5 crowdfunding platforms in United Kingdom that focus on Equity, Debt, P2P lending, Reward, Donation, Buy-to-let and Mini-bonds. They provide investment opportunities for retail and accredited investors in various business sectors: Real estate, Startups, SME, Litigation, Green energy, Health & Science, Personal loans, Art, Mortgages, Social cause, Education, Sport and Maritime.
The minimum investment amount depends on the crowdfunding platform type and industry. On this listing, you will find crowdfunding platforms that offer investment opportunities starting at 1€ with a maximum investment amount of 100000€.
As a crowdfunding platform directory, we verify the most active crowdfunding platforms if they reach out and claim their profile. On this listing, 13 crowdfunding platforms claimed their profile and have a Verified Badge.
Fun fact: among all the crowdfunding platforms listed here, the oldest has been founded in 1985 and the youngest in 2022.
How to choose a reliable crowdfunding platform in United Kingdom?
There are plenty of providers on the market that operate different business models and offer various opportunities for startups and individuals.
Firstly, decide which crowdfunding type may suit you best, depending on your ambitions and needs: if you want to invest and earn money or get funding.
Then dive in and look up the crowdfunding companies in United Kingdom that match your criteria. To help you evaluate them, try researching the following questions:
- How long has this platform existed, and what are the reviews?
- Have there been any defaults? If so, how were they handled?
- What are the fees for investors and borrowers?
- What are the terms and conditions? Are they similar to other providers?
Finding the answers to these fundamental questions increases your chances of trusting your project to one of the best crowdfunding platforms in United Kingdom or elsewhere.
How do crowdfunding platforms work in United Kingdom?
All the crowdfunding providers either fall under the ESCP regulation or their local legislation.
On the whole, the crowdfunding market in United Kingdom offer diverse opportunities for investors and individuals looking for capital to fund their businesses or help with donations for a charity cause.
Advantages of crowdfunding investing in United Kingdom?
Although crowdfunding is often viewed as a relatively new financing method, it has some unique advantages for investors.
Firstly, you don’t need to be an accredited investor to participate in projects from top crowdfunding sites in United Kingdom. There are indeed crowdfunding providers that allow accredited investors only, but that’s rather an exception.
Secondly, you can access industries previously available only to a narrow investor pool — for instance, real estate, startups or small businesses.
What’s important is that you set the funding amount you are comfortable with, and it doesn’t have to be a significant one right from the start. All the sites have a minimum investment amount disclosed, so you are free to choose and manage the investment sum, as time passes.
Thirdly, you get to choose from an unprecedented variety of investment niches. From consumer loans on P2P lending platforms to equity shares of a brand that matches your vision and satisfies your needs as a customer. As an investor, you can set your priorities and manage them as your values and ambitions transform.
What also derives from this broad choice are the opportunities to diversify and solidify your portfolio by balancing loans of different risk levels.
Frequently Asked Questions about crowdfunding in United Kingdom
Is it a good idea to invest in crowdfunding in United Kingdom?
Just like any other investment alternative, crowdfunding in United Kingdom involves some risks.
That’s why before making any investment decisions, we recommend researching the market first and looking into the list of crowdfunding platforms in United Kingdom. If you do your homework and ensure that the funding project and the platform are safe for investors, there are good chances to build a steady passive income. Crowdfunding in United Kingdom isn’t an entirely new phenomenon, but if it’s a new area for you, start small to test the waters.
While serious legislative efforts exist to create a unified crowdfunding market, every country has a different business climate. So, invest in research first and then in projects to build a solid portfolio and earn money.
What crowdfunding types are available in United Kingdom?
Top crowdfunding platforms in United Kingdom include donation, debt, reward, and equity crowdfunding providers. There are various opportunities for investors, startups and existing early-stage businesses, depending on their ambitions and the capital needed.
Who can invest through crowdfunding in United Kingdom?
On the whole, anyone can currently invest in crowdfunding loans. Still, some crowdfunding websites in United Kingdom have their specific policy and requirements for investors. For instance, they may allow accredited investors only.
It’s also important to stay in the loop of what’s happening in the legislative field. Since the crowdfunding industry has developed rapidly over the past decade, governments are gradually responding to the need to regulate it.
While nothing usually happens fast in this area, legislative changes may impact your portfolio in the long run. So, keep up with the latest news to properly plan your investment strategy and seize promising opportunities.
Which European country has the most favourable crowdfunding market?
With the introduction of the ESCP regulations, also known as pan-European crowdfunding regulation, all the existing crowdfunding platforms are supposed to operate under the same rules. Nonetheless, we can’t deny some local factors that make one crowdfunding market different, such as previous industry history and local legislation.
Per some recent reviews and analyses, Spain, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands are claimed to have the most potential and favourable conditions for the crowdfunding business.
In the global context, Europe’s crowdfunding market volume takes third place, after the US and the UK.
Is crowdfunding a legal investment method in United Kingdom?
Yes, crowdfunding is legal in most countries, such as the USA, the UK, Japan, along with the European states.
Is crowdfunding a good capital source for startups in United Kingdom?
Despite the crowdfunding risks, it’s a decent alternative for startups and early-stage businesses willing to raise capital for their launch or expansion.
Crowdfunding helps entrepreneurs access a larger investor pool eliminating the need to depend on one financial institution or individual investor to fund their projects. It’s also a chance to get the necessary funding through multiple smaller investments from more individuals.
The more compelling your project presentation is and the more channels you use to reach out to potential investors, the more chances there are to hit the target. It all comes down to your creativity and persistence.
While investors, on the other side, get to fund projects previously accessible only to high-net individuals, venture capitalists and angel investors. From their perspective, it’s an opportunity to invest in a profitable business that will eventually grow into a successful company.
Essentially, platforms offer space and opportunities for both parties involved, excluding more rigid financing options, such as banks, as a middleman.
