The Big Exchange
The Big Exchange is a UK retail investment platform offering ISA, JISA, and GIA accounts with access to independently rated ethical and impact funds, differentiated by its proprietary Gold/Silver/Bronze impact rating methodology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Big Exchange does
The Big Exchange is a UK-based, for-profit digital investment platform that enables retail investors to access curated ethical and impact investment funds through standard tax wrappers: the Individual Savings Account (ISA), Junior ISA (JISA), and General Investment Account (GIA). Founded in 2018 and headquartered in London, the company positions itself as a mission-driven alternative to incumbent UK platforms, with the stated aim of building a "new financial system" by making it easier for individuals to invest in line with environmental and social values. Its primary customers are UK resident retail investors, ranging from first-time savers to experienced ETF users, with a secondary audience of parents/guardians opening JISAs for children under 18.
The platform's core technology is a proprietary Impact Methodology, developed with research partner 3D Investing (part of Square Mile Investing Consulting & Research), which independently reviews each fund and assigns a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal based on its revenue-aligned contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ESG integration, and sustainability reporting. The platform additionally publishes the full holdings of every listed fund (not just the top ten) and supports theme-based filters (e.g., climate, diversity, fossil-fuel exclusion). Funds are supplied by 18+ founding-partner asset management groups including Abrdn, Schroders, JP Morgan, Stewart Investors, Liontrust, Triodos, Fidelity and Pictet. The operating entity, The Big Exchange (TBF) Limited, is structured as an Appointed Representative of FCA-authorised RiskSave Technologies Ltd (FRN: 775330), with custody and administration outsourced to FNZ Securities Limited.
The Big Exchange operates a direct-to-consumer, self-serve GTM motion with a 0.25% per annum platform fee on assets under management as the primary revenue stream, supplemented from February 2024 by a 2.50% interest rate paid on uninvested customer cash. The product-led acquisition flow (organic SEO, content, newsletter, social) is currently paused while the company completes a technology platform upgrade, with a new mobile app in development. The Big Issue Group is co-founder and largest shareholder, holding a protected mission share, and the company has 1-10 employees with $505,680 raised via Crowdcube in August 2021 as its only disclosed funding event.
The Big Exchange firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Big Exchange
- Legal name
- The Big Exchange Limited
- Website
- https://bigexchange.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Big Exchange is a UK retail investment platform offering ISA, JISA, and GIA accounts with access to independently rated ethical and impact funds, differentiated by its proprietary Gold/Silver/Bronze impact rating methodology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Big Exchange industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ethical Investment Platform
- NAICS
- Securities and Commodity Contracts Intermediation and Brokerage (5231), Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities (523)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retail Multi-Asset Exchanges (FSAFAEAA)
Keywords
Where The Big Exchange is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
The Big Exchange business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Platform Fee: The Big Exchange charges a 0.25% per annum platform fee on assets under management. This fee is collected monthly directly from customer accounts, either from existing cash balance or by selling down a small amount of investments if no cash is held. Revenue is used for business growth, operational costs, and building better site functionality.
- Interest on Uninvested Cash: Effective February 2024, The Big Exchange pays interest on uninvested cash held in customer accounts. The interest rate is 2.50%, moving in line with Bank of England interest rates. Interest is paid on the first day of each month, accruing daily on cash held in the account the previous month. This represents a revenue stream from the spread between the rate paid to customers and potentially other rates achievable.
- Fund Manager Relationships (indirect revenue): The Big Exchange lists funds from third-party investment management groups (such as Abrdn, Alliance Bernstein, Artemis, Janus Henderson, JP Morgan, Liontrust, Pictet, Schroders, Triodos, and others). Each fund carries an Ongoing Charge Figure (OCF) charged by the asset managers. While The Big Exchange's own platform fee is separate, the platform benefits from the volume of assets invested through it, which flows from its relationships with these fund managers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Platform fee of 0.25% per annum |
| Usage-based | Monthly | Interest on uninvested cash at 2.50% |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
The Big Exchange product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Big Exchange is a UK digital investment platform that enables retail investors to select and invest in independently rated ethical and impact funds. It offers stocks and shares ISA, Junior ISA and General Investment Account wrappers, populated with funds from multiple third-party asset managers that are filtered through its proprietary Gold/Silver/Bronze medal impact rating methodology. The platform charges a 0.25% per annum platform fee on assets under management and provides full transparency of all underlying fund holdings.
Product overview
The Big Exchange is an ethical and impact investing platform that enables retail investors to select and invest in funds rated for their positive contribution to people and planet. The core offering consists of investment account wrappers (ISA, JISA, GIA) accessible through a curated platform populated with rated ethical and impact funds from partner asset managers, featuring the company's proprietary Gold/Silver/Bronze medal impact assessment methodology. Key product components include the fund selection platform, the impact rating system developed with research partner 3D Investing, full holdings transparency showing all underlying investments, sustainability filters by cause area, and regular/direct debit investment options. The platform charges a 0.25% annual platform fee and operates as an appointed representative of RiskSave Technologies Ltd with custody provided by FNZ Securities Limited.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Stocks and Shares ISA
- Junior ISA (JISA) A tax-free savings and investment account for children under 18, opened by a parent or guardian, with an annual allowance of up to £9,000 per tax year, invested in rated ethical and impact funds.
- General Investment Account (GIA) A general investment account with no annual allowance limit for holding ethical and impact funds outside of tax-efficient wrappers.
- Rated Ethical and Impact Fund Platform A platform for selecting and investing in independently rated ethical and impact funds from multiple asset management partners, featuring Gold/Silver/Bronze medal impact ratings based on contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Quantifiable outcome
- Gold medal requires over 70% of fund invested in companies making positive SDG contribution
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Big Exchange
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
The Big Exchange technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
The Big Exchange partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RiskSave Technologies LtdcoreThe Big Exchange (TBF) Limited is an Appointed Representative of RiskSave Technologies Ltd, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 775330). RiskSave acts as the principal firm, providing regulatory permissions to 'arrange deals' for investors. They audit The Big Exchange regularly and all product-related matters must be reported through them for sign-off. It is The Big Exchange's intention to obtain its own FCA permissions in the future.
- FNZ Securities Limited (formerly Rexigon Securities Limited)coreFNZ Securities acts as custodian for The Big Exchange, holding and administering customer investments and ensuring they are made in a timely manner. The Big Exchange does not handle or have direct access to customer cash or investments. FNZ keeps assets separate from day-to-day management and provides holding, administration, and settlement services.
- 3D Investing (part of Square Mile Investing Consulting & Research)core3D Investing is the independent research partner that reviews and rates all funds on The Big Exchange. Their assessment focuses on fund contributions through revenue to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The research partner provides all necessary information, reports, and data for The Big Exchange's analysis, forming the basis of the Gold/Silver/Bronze medal ratings.
- AbrdnminorAbrdn is a founding partner investment management group and one of the fund managers whose products are listed and rated on The Big Exchange platform. Abrdn offers ethical and sustainable fund options on the platform including Abrdn Ethical Corporate Bond and abrdn UK Ethical Equity Fund.
- Stewart InvestorsminorStewart Investors (a First Sentier Investors affiliate) is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange. They are noted as leaders in advocacy on conflict minerals in semiconductor supply chains and have 7 funds listed on the platform. They are a signatory to the City Hive ACT Framework and have published commitments on diversity and inclusion.
- Triodos Investment ManagementminorTriodos Investment Management is a fund manager on The Big Exchange offering impact-focused funds including Triodos Sterling Bond Impact Fund. Triodos is known for its strict ethical screening and impact-first investment approach.
- LiontrustminorLiontrust is a founding partner and fund manager on The Big Exchange offering sustainable and ethical fund options including the Liontrust Sustainable Future Managed range and sustainability-focused bond funds. Liontrust is a signatory to the City Hive ACT Framework.
- SchrodersminorSchroders is a founding partner and fund manager on The Big Exchange. Their Schroder Global Alternative Energy Fund has adopted a Sustainability Focus label and invests in companies in the transition to lower carbon energy sources. Schroders is a signatory to the City Hive ACT Framework.
- Alliance BernsteinminorAlliance Bernstein (AB) is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange, offering sustainability-focused bond strategies.
- ArtemisminorArtemis is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- Columbia ThreadneedleminorColumbia Threadneedle is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- Janus HendersonminorJanus Henderson is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- JP MorganminorJP Morgan is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- PictetminorPictet is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange, offering sustainability-focused bond strategies.
- QuilterminorQuilter is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- WHEBminorWHEB is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange, specializing in sustainable investing. WHEB is a signatory to the City Hive ACT Framework.
- UBP (UBAM)minorUBP (through its UBAM division) is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange, offering impact strategies including UBAM Global Impact Equity.
- Nordea Asset ManagementminorNordea Asset Management is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- AlquityminorAlquity is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- CivitasminorCivitas is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- EcofinminorEcofin is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- Golden Bottle TrustminorGolden Bottle Trust is a founding partner investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- Fidelity InternationalminorFidelity International is an investment management group and fund manager on The Big Exchange.
- Jupiter Asset ManagementminorJupiter Asset Management is a fund manager on The Big Exchange. Jupiter is a signatory to the City Hive ACT Framework.
- City HiveminorCity Hive is an independent think tank and advocacy group that created the ACT Framework for assessing culture and inclusion in asset management firms. Bev Shah, City Hive co-founder, is a non-executive director at The Big Exchange. The Big Exchange requests all fund managers listing on its platform to complete the ACT questionnaire.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Big Exchange competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Clim8 Invest: UK-focused investment platform that curates portfolios of companies addressing climate change and sustainability themes. A direct competitor in the values-driven retail investment niche, with overlapping thematic/ESG proposition.
- Wealthify: UK retail investment platform offering ISA, JISA, and general investment accounts with ethical/responsible investment options. Directly comparable on product wrappers, retail customer base, and digital-first delivery.
- Tickr: UK impact-focused investment app offering ethical ISAs and general investment accounts for retail investors. Closely aligned on the 'ethical investing made easy' positioning and retail ISA/JISA wrappers.
- Nutmeg: UK digital wealth manager offering multi-asset portfolios and stocks & shares ISAs to retail investors. Direct competitor in the same UK retail investment platform category, with overlapping GIA/ISA products and a similar self-serve, app-led GTM.
- Moneybox: UK app-based investment and savings platform offering ISAs, pensions, and general investment accounts to retail customers. Competes directly with the Big Exchange for UK retail investor wallets via a similar direct-to-consumer digital proposition.
Broad incumbents
- AJ Bell: UK investment platform providing ISA, JISA, SIPP, and dealing accounts with a broad fund range that includes ethical options. A broader incumbent in the same UK retail investment platform market with overlapping wrappers and customer types.
- Interactive Investor: Major UK retail investment platform offering ISAs, SIPPs, and a multi-asset fund supermarket. Larger incumbent operating in the same UK investment platform category, including ethical investment propositions.
- Hargreaves Lansdown: UK's largest direct-to-consumer investment platform offering ISAs, SIPPs, GIAs, and a broad fund supermarket including ethical options. A broad incumbent that overlaps with the Big Exchange on UK retail investment wrappers but does not specialise in ethical curation.
- Vanguard UK: Global low-cost asset manager with a UK investment platform offering ISAs and JISAs including ESG-tilted fund ranges. A broad incumbent for the UK retail investor that competes on cost and brand recognition.
Others
- Evelyn Partners (formerly Tilney Smith & Williamson): UK wealth manager and platform provider offering advised and self-directed investment services, including ethical investment propositions. Adjacent participant with overlapping UK retail investment themes but with an advised-service model rather than a self-serve platform.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Big Exchange social profiles
Digital presenceThe Big Exchange financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Big Exchange leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Big Exchange subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Big Exchange funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Big Exchange M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Big Exchange
What does The Big Exchange do?
The Big Exchange is a UK digital investment platform that enables retail investors to select and invest in independently rated ethical and impact funds. It offers stocks and shares ISA, Junior ISA and General Investment Account wrappers, populated with funds from multiple third-party asset managers that are filtered through its proprietary Gold/Silver/Bronze medal impact rating methodology. The platform charges a 0.25% per annum platform fee on assets under management and provides full transparency of all underlying fund holdings.
Is The Big Exchange a public or private company?
The Big Exchange is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The Big Exchange founded?
The Big Exchange was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Big Exchange based?
The Big Exchange is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Big Exchange make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Platform Fee is the primary driver. The others are interest on Uninvested Cash and fund Manager Relationships (indirect revenue).
Who are The Big Exchange's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Clim8 Invest, Wealthify, Tickr, Nutmeg and Moneybox. Broad incumbents are AJ Bell, Interactive Investor, Hargreaves Lansdown and Vanguard UK. Evelyn Partners (formerly Tilney Smith & Williamson) is listed as an others.
Does The Big Exchange have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Big Exchange.
What industry is The Big Exchange in?
The Big Exchange's product category is Ethical Investment Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAFAEAA, Retail Multi-Asset Exchanges. Its NAICS code is 5231.