Member Article

Online lending platform WiseAlpha has raised £626k and rising on Crowdcube

WiseAlpha, the UK’s first platform providing investors with access to institutional bond and loan investments, has raised £626k from crowd investors in just seven days on Crowdcube.

The FinTech business has overfunded by 125% of its original target and is still looking to raise funds from the crowd after reaching £626,760 at the time of publication.

Based out of the Level39 accelerator at One Canada Square, the investment platform gives retail investors and corporates the ability to invest in high-yield bond investments that traditionally have only been open to pension funds, investment banks and ultra high net worth individuals.

The firm has already accumulated 1,550 members and launched bonds in major companies such as Virgin Media, the AA and Pizza Express, which it says have paid out over £100k to investors thus far.

WiseAlpha founder and Chief Executive Officer Rezaah Ahmad, commented: “Institutional debt offers compelling returns – markedly different from the much smaller returns on offer in the retail corporate bond market.

“We believe in a fairer investment world where everyday investors aren’t shut out by the financial elite from accessing the biggest and best investments. It is fantastic to see how quickly the crowd is backing our business and sharing in our vision. I would like to thank our investors for their continued support.”

The raise marks WiseAlpha’s second crowdfunding drive after it raised £579,150 back in July 2016, a total which supported its initial launch. The business hopes to channel this latest funding boost into its planned European expansion and introduce further automation across its business.

Touching upon the startup’s ambitions, Ahmed said: “We believe that lending to some of the largest and most established UK companies, with proven track records and market leading positions is a win-win for the discerning investor.

“This round of funding will enable us to enhance our product offering, providing greater choice of investment opportunities to our members and start to plan for our long term ambition of creating a pan European and ultimately global retail marketplace for fixed income investments.”

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