About us
Our business began with a small conversation over coffee which turned into a big idea. We wanted to show that the real power of money was in the hands of individuals not institutions and, when we work together, we can transform finance for the better.
From small beginnings to a green finance leader
In 2011, our founders set about designing finance to meet the needs of people and planet, which meant challenging a lot of the old assumptions about how finance worked. We wanted to launch the first investment platform that would allow anyone to directly invest in green projects from £5. (No small target, when at that time the only green investment opportunities were exclusively offered only to those with thousands of pounds to invest.)
We launched our first investment in 2012, to finance a community wind turbine in the Forest of Dean. To date we have raised over £150m for pioneering green businesses and councils all over the country - many of those projects have gone on to raise hundreds of millions more on the back of that support. And there are some big achievements along the way, all with the help of thousands of investors: we’ve helped launch the UK tidal industry; backed innovative green projects in sectors ranging from renewable energy to sustainable forestry to waste management to EV charging; and created the first local council investments seen in the UK for a generation.
We are proud to have been part of the change that is transforming financial services forever by putting ethical investing on the map. But we have no intention of sitting back on our laurels. We want to help even more people use their money to make real positive change, and we will do that by sticking to the principles that have helped us a create an approach to green investment that you can trust.
We offer investments that make a real difference
We think it is essential that green investments actually make things happen. It seems like an obvious thing to say, but it is the most compelling part of our ethos. When you invest with us, you will know exactly what your money is going to be used for, how it will make a difference, and we will keep you updated on how your investments are performing — financially and on their impact goals. It is not about “corporate social responsibility” — it is about collective and meaningful action.
We give your money a voice
Money is a powerful tool in the climate crisis. Every pound invested with us amplifies the clamour to transform our economy and society. We are proud to have helped lead the UK alternative finance industry and lobbied far and wide to accelerate positive change (not always successfully), and we will continue to do so.
Everyone gets the same service
Whether you have £5 or £500,000 to invest, everyone’s money is equally important to us. You don’t get a better deal if you are wealthier, or extra privileges if you have more to invest. The green transition will only happen if everyone is invited, and our unique approach ensures that anyone can participate on equal terms.