Invesdor, a top European securities crowdfunding platform based in Finland, merged with Germany-based Kapilendo in 2021. Today, Invesdor has announced the two platforms are combining to create a single website to “make cross-border investing easy and affordable.”
In 2019, Invesdor merged operations with debt-based platform Finnest – based in Austria, providing online capital formation in the DACH region (Deutschland, Austria, Switzerland).
The combination of the websites makes a lot of sense as the European Union enacted harmonized securities crowdfunding rules and now issuers may raise capital across all member states following approval by the national regulatory authority (selected by the platform).
Invesdor stated in an email:
“A single brand and platform ahead. This weekend the separate platforms will be merged into one Invesdor platform allowing you to access even more cross-border as well as Finnish investment opportunities in the future. In order to bring you these exciting opportunities, we need to go offline this upcoming weekend. During this time you will temporarily be unable to access your account. But do not worry, everything will be back in place when the platform is online again. We will send you an email as soon as you can access your account. There is no need for any actions from your side. If you already have an Invesdor account for Germany or Austria with the same email address your accounts will be merged and you will be able to view all your investments at one glance when you log in.”
The Kapilendo domain already resolves to an Invesdor branded website, as does Finnest, which reports over 500 companies funded, over 110,000 members, and €300 million in capital raised. The site claims:
“Kapilendo, Finnest and Invesdor are now one. We bundle our regional expertise in Germany, Austria, Finland and Scandinavia for investors and entrepreneurs. Together we form Europe’s leading provider of modern corporate finance and investments.”
Under the new pan-European rules a company may raise up to €5 million across member states. If tapping into the UK market, the amount can rise even further.
A clear trend has emerged amongst securities crowdfunding platforms to provide more services, target different verticals while expanding geographic operations. Several months back, it was announced that US-based Republic would acquire Seedrs, based in the UK but with a European presence, to be able to provide more global services. Some observers believe that investment crowdfunding is the future of digital investment banking combining both retail and institutional money enabling greater access to capital for issuers and improved investment options to smaller investors.