Bettervest

bettervest GmbH operates as a crowd-investing platform focused on financing sustainable energy projects globally. The company was conceived in 2012 when futurologist Patrick Mijnals introduced the idea at a Start-Up Weekend, subsequently assembling a team of co-founders. The platform officially launched in 2013, aiming to democratize the energy efficiency market, which was previously dominated by large corporations. Co-founder and current CEO, Marilyn Heib, an engineer specializing in renewable energy and energy efficiency, was recruited by Mijnals after he read her book on the subject. Her technical background, including roles at Conergy AG and PowerWind GmbH, and her work with the climate protection organization Go For Climate, have been instrumental to the company's mission.

The firm connects project owners with retail and institutional investors through its online marketplace. Retail investors can commit amounts starting from as little as €50. These pooled funds are then structured as subordinated loans or other securities, like bonds, to finance projects. bettervest's revenue is generated through a commission based on the initial investment sum and an annual handling fee, both charged to the project owner. The platform meticulously selects projects based on strict ecological and social criteria, excluding industries such as factory farming, weapons, and tobacco. Financed initiatives range from energy-efficient building renovations in Germany to solar mini-grids in India and biological wastewater treatment in Kenya. These projects generate returns for investors through the cost savings or revenue they produce.

Since its inception, bettervest has facilitated over €22 million in investments across more than 110 projects in over 20 countries, with a significant focus on Africa and Europe. In 2023, the company won the German Sustainability Award in the financial services sector. It has also expanded its offerings to include bonds and co-financing options for institutional investors, alongside a strategic partnership with the African Guarantee Fund to mitigate investment risks in emerging markets.

Keywords: impact investing, crowd-investing, sustainable finance, energy efficiency projects, renewable energy finance, peer-to-peer lending, green energy, project financing, climate finance, fintech, social impact, ESG investing, sustainable development goals, clean energy access, debt financing, Frankfurt, Marilyn Heib, Patrick Mijnals, solar projects, CO2 reduction