Triodos Bank is set to integrate its UK crowdfunding investments onto the ethically focused platform Ethex, marking a significant step towards broadening access to direct impact investments. This collaboration aims to channel more capital towards enterprises driving positive social and environmental change across the United Kingdom. The transition will see existing Triodos Crowdfunding users migrate to the Ethex platform starting in September. While hosted on Ethex, both organizations will continue to source investment opportunities independently, with these diverse projects appearing side-by-side on the unified platform.
Boosting Capital for Changemakers
Lisa Ashford, director and co-CEO at Ethex, emphasized the critical need for swift action to meet the growing demand for funding from impact-driven organizations. “Our partnership with Triodos Bank UK is about urgency and scale,” Ashford stated. “We are joining forces to put more capital into the hands of changemakers while making ‘investing for good’ the standard for all.” Ethex currently enables individuals to invest in ethical and sustainable shares and bonds with a minimum investment of £50. The platform also offers tax-free interest on eligible bonds through its Finance ISA offering, making ethical investments more accessible and financially attractive.
A Combined Force for Positive Change
Collectively, Triodos Bank and Ethex have already facilitated the deployment of £246 million towards 264 projects with a positive climate impact. These initiatives span various sectors, demonstrating the tangible outcomes of direct impact investing. For instance, Triodos Bank recently supported Birtenshaw, a charity focused on educational needs and disability, by raising £2 million through a crowdfunding bond offer in December 2025. This funding aids the charity’s operations in schools across Bolton and Liverpool.
In 2023, Ethex played a crucial role in funding Leeds Action to Create Homes (LATCH), an initiative dedicated to converting vacant properties into sustainable and affordable housing. “Direct impact investment tackles the housing crisis at its roots, turning derelict Leeds properties into warm homes while equipping local people with construction skills through partners like LATCH,” Ashford explained. “Backed by investors who raised over £633,000 on Ethex, this work sits alongside a growing national movement of pioneering community land trusts in Oxford, Calder Valley in West Yorkshire, Brighton and Hove and beyond. Together, these projects prove we can deliver permanently affordable, community-owned homes while offering a fair financial return for everyday investors.”
Investor Motivation and Diversified Opportunities
Whitni Thomas, head of corporate finance at Triodos Bank UK, highlighted the increasing investor appetite for investments that offer a clear link between financial returns and social or environmental good. “The sense of direct connection between investments and social good, whilst also seeing a reasonable financial return, is something that investors are seeking out and are motivated by to use their money for positive change,” Thomas commented. She cited recent successful projects supported by Triodos crowdfunding investors, including the redevelopment of a specialist college, Birtenshaw in Bolton, which supports young people with significant physical impairments and complex health needs, enabling them to lead more independent lives. Another example is Paces Sheffield, a specialist school that enhances educational opportunities for pupils with disabilities and increases the availability of high-quality childcare in underserved areas.
Examples of Impactful Investments
The Ethex platform showcases a range of successful community and environmental projects. Recent investment offers have included:
- Community energy bonds from Kent Community Energy, Bath & West Community Energy, and SE24, which collectively raised £750,000 to finance solar energy projects.
- The Low Carbon Hub, which secured £500,000 for the development of the UK’s first community-owned solar battery storage facility located at an Oxfordshire solar park.
- Investment in Salad Finance, a company dedicated to providing financial support to underserved populations.
Infrastructure and Future Outlook
ShareIn, a firm specializing in investment infrastructure, currently manages Ethex’s payment processing and will extend its support to Triodos’s investors as part of this integration. “Social impact really is a driving factor for many of our crowdfunding investors, and we’re pleased that this partnership will offer more direct and broad access to such projects to many more investors across the UK,” Thomas added. This collaboration is poised to significantly enhance the visibility and accessibility of direct impact investments, empowering more individuals to align their financial goals with their values and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.
