bettervest GmbH
bettervest GmbH operates a Frankfurt-based digital crowdfunding platform, founded in 2012, that connects impact investors with sustainable project developers. It brokers subordinated loans, bonds, and donations for energy efficiency and renewable projects across 21 countries, serving retail investors and project owners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersFrankfurt, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What bettervest GmbH does
bettervest GmbH is a Frankfurt-based digital crowdfunding platform founded in 2012 that intermediates debt capital between impact-oriented investors and sustainable project developers. The company operates as a tied agent under the regulatory umbrella of Effecta GmbH (WpIG/KWG licensed), enabling it to broker subordinated loans (Nachrangdarlehen, minimum €50), bonds (Inhaberschuldverschreibungen, minimum €500, up to 8-year terms), profit participation rights (Genussrechte), and since 2026, tax-deductible donations for PHINEO-vetted non-profits. The platform serves two primary customer segments: retail impact investors seeking 4–10% annual returns tied to measurable environmental outcomes, and project owners (typically SMEs, renewable energy developers, or social enterprises) requiring debt financing of at least €300,000 with 1–8-year payback periods. Notable financed projects include the EBERT Windpark (€200K bond at 5.25% p.a.), energy-efficient biomass cookstoves in Zambia (€99.9K), and historic-building retrofits in Germany.
The platform's revenue model is built on transaction fees charged to issuers/project owners for intermediation; investors pay no fees. bettervest has facilitated over €25.5 million in cumulative funding volume across 143 projects in 21 countries (concentrated in Germany and Africa), claims more than 10,000 impact investors on its platform, and reports cumulative CO2 savings exceeding 2 million tons. Project sourcing combines a self-service online inquiry form with active B2B sales outreach; investor acquisition is primarily digital (self-serve) with referral incentives (2% referrer / 3% referee credits) and a dedicated institutional/family office channel via [email protected]. The company is profitable as of August 2024 and was valued at €6 million in its Crowdcube round.
Operationally, bettervest runs a lean team of approximately 10 people and is differentiated by its early-mover brand position (2012 pioneer in impact crowdfunding), a specialized due-diligence process aligned with UN SDGs, and a partnership ecosystem spanning Triodos Bank (strategic shareholder), CEI Africa (KfW/BMZ-backed, €1.5M clean-energy collaboration), GIZ, ICLEI, PHINEO, Fraunhofer ISE, and co-funding peers like GLS Crowd. Its technology stack is conventional (website-based marketplace, Secupay payment processing, Deutsche Post PostIdent for KYC) without proprietary AI/ML components; selective IoT integration exists for partner projects (e.g., ECS cookstove usage tracking). The company was awarded the 16th German Sustainability Award in 2023 in the financial services category.
bettervest GmbH firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- bettervest GmbH
- Legal name
- bettervest GmbH
- Website
- https://bettervest.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- bettervest GmbH operates a Frankfurt-based digital crowdfunding platform, founded in 2012, that connects impact investors with sustainable project developers. It brokers subordinated loans, bonds, and donations for energy efficiency and renewable projects across 21 countries, serving retail investors and project owners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
bettervest GmbH industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Crowdfunding Platform for Impact Investing
- NAICS
- Funds, Trusts, and Other Financial Vehicles (525)
- SIC
- Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Project Finance Capital Raising Intermediation (FSAEALAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Project Finance & Capital Structuring (Debt/Tax Equity/Project Bonds) (EUAMAAAD), Infrastructure & Energy Fundraising Placement (FSAEALAF)
Keywords
Where bettervest GmbH is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Frankfurt
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
bettervest GmbH business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Issuer/Project Owner Platform Fees: Fees are charged to issuers (project owners/emittents) for the intermediation of securities and investment products. The FAQ states 'Für den Emittenten fallen Gebühren für diese Vermittlung an.' Details are fully disclosed to investors during the investment process.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Subordinated loans — minimum investment €50, in €50 increments |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Bonds (Inhaberschuldverschreibung) — minimum investment €500 |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donation Crowdfunding — no financial return |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels6 records
bettervest GmbH product offering
Product offeringCore offering
bettervest operates a digital crowdinvesting marketplace that intermediates capital from individual and institutional investors to project owners developing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and social/environmental projects. Investors access curated projects via subordinated loans (from €50), bonds (from €500), Genussrechte, and tax-deductible donations, with average returns of 6.9% per annum (December 2025). Project owners pay intermediation fees to access the regulated platform, which has facilitated over €25.5 million across 143 projects in 21 countries.
Product overview
bettervest is a digital crowdfunding platform for impact investing, founded in 2012. The platform operates primarily as a marketplace connecting investors with sustainable project developers. The core offering consists of subordinated loans (Nachrangdarlehen) with minimum investments starting at €50 and terms typically 3-7 years, bonds (Inhaberschuldverschreibungen) requiring depot accounts starting at €500 with terms up to 8 years, Genussrechte (profit participation rights), and donation crowdfunding for PHINEO-certified nonprofits. The platform specializes in sustainable energy projects (wind, solar, biomass), energy efficiency improvements, and social impact initiatives across Africa and Germany, with over 143 projects financed and €25.5 million in funding volume. bettervest acts as a bound agent under Effecta GmbH's regulatory umbrella for financial instrument brokerage.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Subordinated Loans (Nachrangdarlehen) Subordinated-loan investment vehicle enabling retail investors to fund sustainable projects with returns typically 5-10% p.a. Minimum investment of €50 in €50 increments; multi-year terms per project.
- Bonds (Inhaberschuldverschreibung) Bond investments in sustainable projects such as wind parks, requiring a securities depot, minimum €500 investment and terms up to 8 years (e.g., EBERT Windpark Elbe-Steinlah 8-year bond at 5.25% p.a.).
- Genussrechte (Profit Participation Rights) Participatory rights offering investors returns tied to project performance, with varying terms and zero or nominal interest rates; complements subordinated loans and bonds on the platform.
- Donation Crowdfunding Donation-based crowdfunding for non-profit organisations vetted by PHINEO using Wirkt-Siegel criteria; allows donors to give tax-deductible donations in Germany to organisations without financial returns.
- bettervest Crowdinvesting Platform Digital crowdfunding marketplace connecting impact investors with sustainable-project developers; enables investments from €50 with average returns of 6.9% and operated under the Effecta GmbH tied-agent regulatory framework.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 2 million tons of CO2 saved across all financed projects
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use bettervest GmbH
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
bettervest GmbH technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
bettervest GmbH partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CEI AfricacoreStrategic partnership with CEI Africa, a foundation funded by KfW on behalf of BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development). Jointly pursues improving access to clean energy in Africa. CEI Africa supports platform development to better promote impact-oriented energy projects in regions with limited electricity access. Collaboration expanded to €1.5 million for clean energy in Africa.
- Triodos BankcoreLong-standing strategic partnership with Triodos Bank, a pioneer in sustainability banking. bettervest and Triodos see themselves as complementary with shared goals. Sustainable energy projects on bettervest offer Triodos customers opportunities to expand their sustainable investment strategies.
- Effecta GmbHcoreSince December 2019, bettervest operates as a tied agent (vertraglich gebundener Vermittler) under the regulatory umbrella of Effecta GmbH, Florstadt. Effecta GmbH is a KWG-regulated institute (Wertpapierinstitutsgesetz). bettervest mediates securities and investments exclusively in the name, for account, and under liability of Effecta GmbH.
- Bundesinitiative Impact InvestingminorMember of the German Impact Investing Initiative (Bundesinitiative Impact Investing), which mobilizes additional capital to address societal challenges by building Germany's impact investing ecosystem.
- GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)minorGIZ is a development cooperation organization operating internationally on behalf of German ministries. bettervest collaborates on projects aligned with GIZ's international development mandate.
- ICLEI – Local Governments for SustainabilityminorGlobal network of more than 1,750 local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. ICLEI influences sustainability policy and drives local emissions-reduction, nature-positive, equitable, resilient, and circular development actions.
- Polarstern EnergieminorCooperation with Polarstern Energie, a 100% renewable energy provider. Their products Wirklich Ökostrom and Wirklich Ökogas invest in global energy transition initiatives. The company is B Corp certified and produces Community Wealth Statements.
- GLS CrowdcoreCo-funding partner for the EBERT Windpark Elbe-Steinlah project. The €2 million project is offered in parallel on both bettervest and GLS Crowd platforms, with €700,000 targeted via bettervest.
- Fraunhofer ISEminorFraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, based in Freiburg, conducts applied research in all areas of solar energy. bettervest has been featured in interviews with Fraunhofer ISE representatives.
- PHINEOcorePHINEO certifies donation crowdfunding organizations on the bettervest platform using its 'Wirkt-Siegel' (effectiveness seal) criteria. Organizations must be able to issue German tax-deductible donation certificates.
- foseraminorGerman-based manufacturer of high-quality solar home systems for off-grid regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Founded 2011, focused on electrification through clean solar energy systems.
- Energy 4 ImpactminorUK-registered non-profit reducing poverty in Africa by accelerating access to clean energy. Helps businesses and communities better utilize expanded energy access and works with the private sector to support sustainability.
- UK Aid / UK Aid DirectminorUK Aid Direct is a Challenge Fund financed by the UK's FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) that supports the UK's commitment to poverty reduction and achievement of global goals.
- GSK StockmannminorMunich-based law firm advising on real estate law, banking law, and public commercial law. Provides legal advisory services relevant to bettervest's platform operations and project financing structures.
- SecupaycoreIndependent payment institution (partnerschaftliches Zahlungsinstitut) handling the transfer of investor funds to project owners for subordinated loan investments. Ensures secure money flow between investors and issuers.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
bettervest GmbH competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GLS Crowd: German sustainable crowdinvesting platform under GLS Bank that co-funds impact and renewable energy projects. Already a confirmed co-funding partner with bettervest on the EBERT Windpark deal, making it the closest direct comparator.
- ecoligo: Berlin-based crowdinvesting platform providing debt financing for solar projects in emerging markets, with a similar model of pooling retail capital into vetted renewable energy assets in Africa and Asia.
- Trine: Sweden-founded European solar crowdinvesting platform connecting individual investors with off-grid and commercial solar projects. Operates a near-identical subordinated-loan marketplace model and competes for the same retail impact-investor audience.
- Wiwin: German green crowdinvesting platform focused on renewable energy, sustainable real estate, and impact projects. Competes head-to-head with bettervest for German retail impact investors and issuer projects.
- Exporo: Hamburg-based crowdinvesting platform that originally focused on real estate and has expanded into renewable energy and infrastructure. Competes for the same German retail investor base using subordinated loans and Namensschuldverschreibungen.
- Companisto: Berlin-based crowdinvesting platform offering both equity- and debt-like instruments to German retail investors. Has expanded into sustainability-themed ventures and overlaps with bettervest's investor acquisition funnel.
- Seedmatch: One of Germany's earliest crowdinvesting platforms, focused on equity-style investments but increasingly active in sustainability and energy themes. Comparable in being an early-mover German crowdfunding intermediary targeting retail investors.
- SunFunder: US/global solar finance marketplace connecting capital to distributed solar projects in emerging markets. Operates a debt-based marketplace model closely analogous to bettervest's project-finance intermediation, with a heavier institutional focus.
- Abundance Investment: UK FCA-regulated platform for debt and equity investments in renewable energy and infrastructure. A direct European comparator for retail impact debt offerings, with similar transparency, project vetting, and impact-reporting practices.
Others
- Phineo: German impact-analysis non-profit that vets donation-based nonprofit organizations on bettervest via the Wirkt-Siegel. Although not a competitor, it is a key ecosystem partner that lends credibility and curates the donation-crowdfunding flow on bettervest's platform.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
bettervest GmbH social profiles
Digital presencebettervest GmbH compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
bettervest GmbH financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
bettervest GmbH leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
bettervest GmbH funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
bettervest GmbH M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments4 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about bettervest GmbH
What does bettervest GmbH do?
bettervest operates a digital crowdinvesting marketplace that intermediates capital from individual and institutional investors to project owners developing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and social/environmental projects. Investors access curated projects via subordinated loans (from €50), bonds (from €500), Genussrechte, and tax-deductible donations, with average returns of 6.9% per annum (December 2025). Project owners pay intermediation fees to access the regulated platform, which has facilitated over €25.5 million across 143 projects in 21 countries.
Is bettervest GmbH a public or private company?
bettervest GmbH is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was bettervest GmbH founded?
bettervest GmbH was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is bettervest GmbH based?
bettervest GmbH is headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does bettervest GmbH make money?
One revenue line is on record: issuer/Project Owner Platform Fees.
Who are bettervest GmbH's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GLS Crowd, ecoligo, Trine, Wiwin, Exporo, Companisto, Seedmatch, SunFunder and Abundance Investment. Phineo is listed as an others.
Does bettervest GmbH have an API?
No public API is recorded for bettervest GmbH.
What industry is bettervest GmbH in?
bettervest GmbH's product category is Crowdfunding Platform for Impact Investing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEALAJ, Project Finance Capital Raising Intermediation, with a secondary code of EUAMAAAD, Project Finance & Capital Structuring (Debt/Tax Equity/Project Bonds). Its NAICS code is 525 and its SIC code is 6211.