Equity crowdfunding platform Crowdcube has been joined by peer to peer (P2P) lenders Zopa and Funding Circle in being recognized by the Smarta Breakthrough 50 awards.
These awards, sponsored by Santander, are designed to “shine a light” on the most inspiring businesses in the United Kingdom. The winners were unveiled this past week and the official awards ceremony will be held on June 4th where judges will select a Breakthrough 50 Business of the Year. The winner “will be the ultimate fast growth business with a blueprint for success”. All winning companies will become members of the Breakthrough 50 Alumni network.
The investment crowdfunding industry including peer to peer lending has moved quickly in the United Kingdom establishing the equity and debt based platforms as viable alternatives to traditional forms of finance. Companies such as Crowdcube, Zopa and Funding Circle – among others – have become iconic in this disruptive shift as traditional models of capital formation are challenged by new, more efficient processes supplant high street banks.
Crowdcube is the larges equity crowdfunding platform in the United Kingdom having raised over £25 million for more than 120 small businesses. Zopa and Funding Circle are leaders in the P2P space. Zopa has lent over £500 million since their founding. Funding Circle has funded over £270 million and has expanded operations to the United States.
