Crowdfunding platforms in Ireland
Thanks to the advent of the Internet, more and more alternative investment opportunities are emerging. Crowdfunding also belongs to this category, where investors can invest in loans and receive rewards for doing so. Crowdfunding platforms have been established around the world for many years, and Ireland is also home to several crowdfunding marketplaces. Through Irish crowdfunding platforms, investors can grow their wealth. In this article, you can discover all about crowdfunding platforms in Ireland and we will go deeper into the best crowdfunding platforms in Ireland.
Reviews
Lendermarket
Lendermarket is a crowdfunding platform based in Ireland that specializes in P2P lending. The platform allows individuals and institutions from around the world to invest in loans issued by digital consumer finance companies in various European countries. Lendermarket primarily focuses on three industries: real estate, SME, and personal loans. Founded in 2019, Lendermarket offers its services in multiple languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish. The platform's website provides more details about its operations and investment opportunities. Investors can start with a minimum investment of 10 EUR and enjoy an advertised return of 15.26%. Lendermarket emphasizes the careful selection of loan issuers to ensure the quality and reliability of investment opportunities. Lendermarket welcomes both individual investors and companies to participate in their platform. Individual investors need to meet certain criteria, such as being at least 18 years old, having a personal bank account in the European Economic Area, UK, or Switzerland, and completing a successful identity verification process. Organizations, including family trusts, partnerships, and limited liability companies, are required to have a bank account in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland. Potential investors should review the dropdown menu in the registration form to confirm if their country of residency and tax residency is included in the platform's offerings.
REALTY BUNDLES
REALTY BUNDLES is a real estate crowdfunding platform founded in 2016 that operates in multiple countries across Europe, including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The platform offers opportunities to invest in real estate through equity investments. The platform provides carefully selected real estate portfolios that are managed by expert real estate agencies. These portfolios are designed to offer a reduced risk of loss, making them attractive options for investors. REALTY BUNDLES allows almost anyone, regardless of their budget size, to invest and generate passive income from real estate. Investing in real estate through REALTY BUNDLES is made easy and user-friendly. They offer a system that is as simple as buying a pair of shoes online. By offering bundles instead of specific properties, they help investors build a diversified property portfolio, reducing their exposure to risk. When investing with REALTY BUNDLES, investors become partial owners of all the properties in the bundle/portfolio, proportional to their investment. As the investment portfolio grows, it becomes possible to add more assets to the bundle. Overall, REALTY BUNDLES provides a convenient and accessible platform for individuals to invest in real estate and generate passive income, with the added benefit of reduced risk through diversified portfolios.
Fund it
Fund it is a crowdfunding platform based in Ireland that was founded in 2010. It operates as an all-island website, enabling individuals to support creative projects in Ireland. The platform is run by Business to Arts, a not-for-profit organization that aims to promote resilience and sustainability in the arts sector. Fund it focuses on the reward-based investment model, where supporters receive a reward or perk in return for their financial contribution. The platform specifically caters to projects within the art industry. It offers a wide range of creative projects for individuals to choose from, allowing them to support artistic ventures such as films, music albums, exhibitions, and other artistic endeavors. The platform primarily operates in the English language and has a website, fundit.ie, where users can access information about the projects available for investment. The minimum investment on Fund it is 1 EUR, making it accessible to a wide range of contributors. While the advertised return for investments on Fund it is not specified, the platform provides an avenue for personal and cooperative investors to support Irish art projects and help turn good ideas into reality. Fund it serves as a crucial platform for artists and creatives to gain financial support and reach a wider audience who are passionate about supporting the art industry in Ireland.
Linked Finance
Linked Finance is a crowdfunding platform based in Ireland. Founded in 2013, it is the country's leading peer-to-peer digital lending platform that specializes in connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in need of business financing with an active online investor community. The platform operates on a P2P lending model, allowing individuals and corporations to invest in local businesses. The platform's website is available in English, making it accessible to a wide range of investors. Linked Finance offers a user-friendly online interface that leverages technology to enhance the lending experience for both borrowers and investors. One notable feature of Linked Finance is its low barrier to entry, with a minimum investment requirement of only 50 EUR. This allows individuals with varying levels of financial capacity to participate in lending activities. However, the advertised return on investment is not specified on the platform. Linked Finance focuses on facilitating lending to SMEs, which play a vital role in driving economic growth and job creation. By providing an online platform for business financing, Linked Finance aims to bridge the gap between investors looking for profitable opportunities and SMEs seeking funding to expand their operations. Overall, Linked Finance serves as a vital intermediary between businesses in need of capital and investors looking to support local enterprises.
Invoice Fair
InvoiceFair is a P2P lending platform based in Ireland, founded in 2014. It aims to provide fast and flexible working capital finance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The platform was created by a dedicated team of experienced professionals with a passion for assisting ambitious SMEs in securing the funding they require to fuel their growth. InvoiceFair offers a user-friendly website that supports English as its primary language. It allows both personal and corporate investors to participate, with a minimum investment of just 1 EUR. While the advertised return is not specified, investors have the opportunity to support and invest in businesses on the platform. The platform operates by facilitating peer-to-peer lending, connecting SMEs in need of working capital with individuals or corporations seeking investment opportunities. By providing access to fast and flexible financing, InvoiceFair aims to support the growth of businesses and stimulate the overall economy. This crowdfunding platform offers an alternative source of financing for SMEs, reducing their reliance on traditional banking institutions. Additionally, it provides individual and corporate investors with the opportunity to diversify their investment portfolios by offering a new asset class. As InvoiceFair continues to grow and expand its services, it remains dedicated to bridging the gap between SMEs and investors, fostering economic development and supporting the ambitions of small businesses in Ireland and beyond.
Initiative Ireland
Initiative Ireland is a crowdfunding platform based in Ireland that focuses on peer-to-peer lending in the real estate industry. Founded in 2015, the platform provides fast and flexible development finance to facilitate the construction of private, social, and affordable housing developments throughout Ireland. The platform primarily operates in English and offers a minimum investment requirement of 500 EUR. While the advertised return is not specified, investors can expect to earn returns on their investments. Initiative Ireland extends its services to both personal and corporate entities, allowing a wide range of individuals and organizations to participate in their crowdfunding campaigns. By providing investment opportunities in the real estate sector, the platform offers investors the chance to support the growth of the housing market in Ireland while potentially earning financial returns on their investments. With a focus on supporting the delivery of various types of housing developments, Initiative Ireland aligns its work with social and affordable housing initiatives. By enabling individuals and businesses to invest in these projects, the platform plays a vital role in addressing housing needs across the country. To learn more about Initiative Ireland and participate in their crowdfunding campaigns, interested individuals and organizations can visit their website at https://initiativeireland.ie/.
Spark Сrowdfunding
Spark Crowdfunding is Ireland's premier equity crowdfunding platform, established in 2017. Operating in the real estate industry, the company provides a unique opportunity for investors to engage in peer-to-peer lending and equity investment. With its headquarters located in Dublin city center, Spark Crowdfunding offers a localized solution for Irish investors and companies seeking capital. Designed to facilitate investments in a wide range of Irish companies at different stages of development, Spark Crowdfunding aims to boost the growth of the local economy and support the expansion of businesses across various industries. By linking investors with entrepreneurs, the platform acts as a bridge between both parties, enabling investors to diversify their portfolios and entrepreneurs to obtain the necessary funding for their ventures. Spark Crowdfunding's user-friendly website serves as a hub for investors to explore investment opportunities and participate with as little as 100 EUR. While the specific returns on investments are not currently available, investors have the chance to be part of the exciting growth potential offered by Irish businesses. The platform is open to a wide range of investors, democratizing investment opportunities and catering to different investment strategies and risk appetites. With an inclusive approach, Spark Crowdfunding aims to empower individuals and organizations to contribute to the growth of the Irish economy. Overall, Spark Crowdfunding provides a trusted and accessible platform for investors to generate meaningful returns while supporting the development of Irish companies, making it a valuable asset in the crowdfunding landscape.
Flender
Flender is a crowdfunding platform based in Ireland that specializes in peer-to-peer lending for the real estate industry. The platform was founded in 2017 and aims to help businesses raise finance quickly and efficiently. Flender offers same-day confirmation on loans and transfers funds to borrowers within 24 hours, making it an attractive option for businesses in need of immediate financing. The platform primarily focuses on lending loans ranging from €15,000 to €300,000, providing flexibility to meet various financial needs within the real estate sector. However, the advertised return on investments is not explicitly mentioned, so interested investors may need to gather more information on potential returns through the website. Flender provides an opportunity for individuals to invest in real estate projects without having to commit significant capital. The minimum investment required to participate is relatively low, starting at just €50, making it accessible for a wide range of investors. While the exact languages supported by the platform are not specified, it can be assumed that Flender is available in English, given that it operates in Ireland and primarily targets businesses within the country. In summary, Flender is a crowdfunding platform in Ireland that focuses on peer-to-peer lending for the real estate industry. With its efficient loan confirmation process and quick transfer of funds, it offers a convenient solution for businesses seeking financing. Additionally, its low minimum investment requirement makes it accessible to a broad range of investors.
Property Bridges
Property Bridges is a crowdfunding platform located in Ireland that specializes in P2P lending for the real estate industry. Established in 2018, the platform is an online property finance marketplace that utilizes technology to connect experienced property developers with intelligent lenders. The objective is to streamline the property finance process, making it faster, more efficient, and reliable. Although the exact languages supported by the platform are not mentioned, it provides a website for users to access information and engage with the platform. Property Bridges caters to a broad range of investors, allowing individuals with a minimum investment of 100 EUR to participate. Details about the advertised return are not available, but the platform focuses on bringing property developers and lenders together, suggesting the potential for profitable investment opportunities. With its goal of becoming a major player in the property financing sector, Property Bridges aims to provide investors with a trustworthy and accessible platform to support the real estate projects of experienced developers. Overall, Property Bridges offers a modern and tech-savvy solution for property financing in Ireland, connecting investors with opportunities in the real estate industry.
How to select a reliable crowdfunding platform in Ireland?
In order to choose the right reliable crowdfunding platform in Ireland, it is important that you first thoroughly research the marketplaces available. In doing so, it is wise to pay attention to several factors so that you can minimize investment risk and get the most out of your assets. Therefore, first, check which type of crowdfunding suits you and which platforms use this form of lending.
It is also wise to find out how crowdfunding has handled risky events. Therefore, investigate whether there have been any defaulters in the past and how the platform handled it. In addition, it is also important to identify the costs so that you do not have to deal with unexpected expenses. Below we take you through some crowdfunding platforms in Ireland, so you can get a good start on investing!
Lendermarket
Ireland's Lendermarket is a suitable crowdfunding platform if you are looking for different types of loans, which carry different risks and rewards. As investors, it is important to have a diversified portfolio so that you can spread the risks. This mindset aligns with Lendermarket's mission, as this crowdfunding platform believes it is important for investors to be profitable with crowdfunding in the long run.
Lendermarket's platform is easy to use and in addition, the platform does not charge fees for depositing or withdrawing money. This allows you to save costs and earn more returns. The average return on Lendermarket is over 15% and these returns are achievable for investors with large and small portfolios. You can start investing in loans from as little as £10 on this crowdfunding platform.
Esketit
The Creamfinance Group founded the peer-to-peer crowdfunding platform Esketit in 2020. This makes this platform one of the relatively new peer-to-peer marketplaces. Also through Esketit, it is possible for investors to invest in different markets and thus spread the risk. In total, there are five different markets for which investors can issue loans and earn returns. These loans are made to lenders affiliated with the company.
Most crowdfunding platforms allow you to deposit and withdraw fiat money, but Esketit has added an extra option. For example, it is possible to use cryptocurrencies to invest in lending money. Esketit accepts the largest stablecoins of the moment, namely USD Coin (USDC) and Tether (USDT). As with Lendermarket, you can start investing from as little as £10. The average return on this platform is around 13% and there are also additional features that investors can take advantage of. For example, the platform has a secondary market and investors can use Auto-invest.
Spark Crowdfunding
Dublin-based Spark Crowdfunding is Ireland's only equity crowdfunding company in the capital. Founded in 2018, this crowdfunding platform has been facilitating loans for many years now. Spark Crowdfunding particularly focuses on sustainable and technological projects, which will make an impact on the world. These loans are applied for by parties from all over the world. There is also a separate section to invest in schools.
For novice investors, or investors with a small portfolio, Spark Crowdfunding is a very suitable platform. From as little as €100 you can start earning returns on your capital. The returns on Spark Crowdfunding can vary enormously, so it is wise to study the loan applications carefully before investing. For example, there are loans where you can earn 5% returns, but there are also loans where you can earn up to 25% returns. Risk and return are linked, so it is wise to invest in different loans to better hedge the risks.
InvoiceFair
The crowdfunding platform InvoiceFair has been operating since 2014, giving investors about 10 years to use the platform. In all these years, over £1.5 billion worth of loans have been made. In addition to the many successful years in crowdfunding, InvoiceFair's screening process is a factor that increases reliability. For example, companies applying for loans must meet several requirements. For example, these companies must have more than 2 owners and have a minimum turnover of £1 million.
Through InvoiceFair, investors can invest in loans, which cover different sectors. For example, you can invest in medical projects, ICT, pharmaceutical projects, engineering, and energy, among others. For novice investors and investors with small portfolios, InvoiceFair is a very suitable platform. Starting from £1 it is already possible to invest in this P2P platform.
Flender
A crowdfunding platform that focuses on social lending in the United Kingdom and Ireland is Flender. In doing so, this P2P marketplace helps small businesses get the funding they need, which is provided by investors. The loans can range between £15,000 and £300,000, with the term being 5 years. Not only can borrowers benefit from this crowdfunding platform, but it is also an interesting investment for investors. The average return on the loans is 9.8%.
This makes the returns on Flender among the average in the field of crowdfunding. These percentages are very lucrative and higher than traditional investments can offer. Higher returns are often accompanied by higher risk, making it important for an investor to consider these risks.
Linked Finance
If you want to invest in loans for businesses, Linked Finance is a suitable option in Ireland. Linked Finance is among Ireland's leading crowdfunding platforms and has seen investors fund nearly €300 million worth of loans for businesses. These were large local companies based in Ireland, with the average loan amounting to around €100,000.
We use technology to make business lending better. Real people with savings, alongside institutions and other investors, lend to great local businesses, at attractive interest rates. It's also possible on Linked Finance for a small business to start investing in loans. From as little as €50 you can start financing business loans and earn returns. The returns here vary and can range between 7% and 17.5%.
Initiative Ireland
From the name of the crowdfunding platform Initiative Ireland, you can already figure out where this P2P marketplace comes from. Initiative Ireland is a crowdfunding marketplace that focuses on real estate projects throughout Ireland. Through this platform, loans are provided for affordable housing, private real estate initiatives, and social initiatives related to real estate. These loans can range from €1 million to €50 million, so it takes a lot of lenders to fund these large real estate projects.
What is unique about Initiative Ireland is that different parties invest in these loans. Not only can individuals earn returns on these real estate loans, but international funds and investment banks also contribute to financing these large projects. This makes it possible for the Irish crowdfunding platform to fund small-, medium- and large-scale loans. The loans can have different maturities, ranging from a few months to several years. In addition, the annual return can also vary, from about 5% to 8%.