Sustainable bank first to launch Crowdfunding platform

Triodos Bank, a global pioneer of sustainable banking, has become the first UK bank to launch a crowdfunding platform, enabling people to invest directly in organisations delivering positive social and environmental impacts.

People can invest as little as £500 in established charities or businesses that have been extensively screened by Triodos for social and environmental impact, the viability of their business model and the credibility of the management team.

Greenhouse worked with Triodos to devise a media strategy and develop the messaging framework and media materials, as well as arranging briefings with high profile financial correspondents at the Mail on Sunday, Guardian, Reuters and This is Money. The story was strengthened further with a package of case studies developed by Greenhouse PR, giving an opportunity to hear from the people behind the projects.

The platform launched on Saturday with two live renewable energy bond offers and a third coming soon. All three bonds are eligible to be held in the Innovative Finance ISA, allowing investors to receive the interest they earn on these investments tax-free

Mendip Renewables: aims to raise £1.8 million by 31 March to take a 5MW operational solar farm in Somerset into community ownership. Investors can earn 5% interest per year, increasing in line with the annual retail price index, repayable over 17 years. An estimated £1.4 million of profit will be contributed to a community benefit scheme over the life of the project.

Rendesco: raising £5.5 million to develop green energy from ground source heat pumps and is paying 7% interest per year over a 7-year term. They are aiming to develop 100 sites, with a focus on retirement homes and providing low-carbon heating to keep the elderly warm.

Thera Trust: a charitable group of companies providing care and housing for people with complex learning disabilities aiming to raise £5 million to provide 14 new homes. Investors will earn 5.5% interest per year over a 6-year term.

Bevis Watts, Managing Director of Triodos Bank UK, said: “Everyday investors can make a positive choice to shape the world they want to live in. In that sense money can be a hugely powerful form of democracy if invested directly into renewable energy, social housing, charities or social enterprises. Social investment needs to be more accessible to UK investors, who increasingly recognise the power of money to create change.”

The crowdfunding platform follows hot on the heels of the new Triodos personal current account – the most sustainable personal current account ever brought to the UK market – launched last year. Triodos now has a full product offering ranging from everyday banking and savings to socially responsible investing and three different ISA products.

For more information and to register interest and receive alerts each time a new offer goes live, visit www.triodoscrowdfunding.co.uk.

If you’re a pioneering business with a great story to tell, drop us a line or get in touch on Twitter.