Abundance vs Thrive Renewables
Green investing two ways: fixed-rate loans to councils through a platform, or shares in a renewable energy company
Abundance and Thrive Renewables are different kinds of business. Abundance is an investment platform, directly authorised by the FCA, whose open offers are fixed-rate loans to UK councils for green projects. Thrive Renewables is not a platform: it is a company that owns and builds wind, solar, hydro, battery and geothermal projects, and it raises money by selling its own shares and, from time to time, bonds. Thrive is not FCA-authorised; its financial promotions are approved by Triodos Bank UK.
Both are open to retail investors, both are certified B Corps, and neither investment is covered by the FSCS.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Abundance | Thrive Renewables |
|---|---|---|
| Operator | Abundance Investment Ltd (Co. no. 07049166) | Thrive Renewables plc (Co. no. 02978651) |
| FCA status | Directly authorised (FRN 525432) | Unregulated (FP approved by Triodos Bank UK, FRN 817008) |
| Who can invest | Retail investors (restricted) | Open to retail investors |
| Minimum | £5 | £25 (last bond offer, closed Apr 2026) |
| What you buy | P2P loans and bonds, held in your name | Shares and bonds, held in your name, issued by the company itself |
| Returns | 4.2–4.55% a year (historic average, as of Sep 2026) | 5.5% a year (past offer, closed Apr 2026) |
| Investor fees |
| Selling early: No Thrive-side settlement fee for JP Jenkins auctions (Thrive covers settlement costs); investor pays their own broker's fee, which varies by broker |
| Selling early | Early exit only by listing on the Abundance marketplace; no fees to buy or sell, but a sale is not guaranteed and price may be below par, especially if rates change. Otherwise hold to maturity (usually 5 years). | Shares sold via JP Jenkins monthly matched-bargain auctions at investor-set prices (Thrive covers settlement costs; investor pays own broker fees). Separate discretionary share buyback twice yearly at a 10% discount to Directors' Valuation. Bonds have no secondary market disclosed and are generally held to maturity. |
| ISA, pension and tax wrappers | Innovative Finance ISA | Innovative Finance ISA |
| Auto-invest | — | — |
| FSCS protection | Not covered | Not covered |
| Founded | 2012 | 1994 |
| Scale | £135m raised (Sep 2026) | £121m under management (Dec 2025) |
Generated from Other.'s facts files, which are checked against the FCA Register, Companies House and each platform's own site. Dates show when a figure applies.
Key Differences
1. What you lend to or own. With Abundance you lend to a council for its green programme rather than to a single project, so the main risk is the council's ability to repay. With Thrive you own shares in the company, or hold its bonds, so your return depends on how its whole portfolio performs.
2. Income. Abundance's council loans pay a fixed rate every six months, usually over five years. Thrive's shares pay dividends that aren't guaranteed and vary from year to year.
3. New investment. Abundance lists open offers. Thrive has no offer open: its most recent bond closed in April 2026, and since Triodos Crowdfunding closed its offers have appeared on Ethex. You can still buy Thrive shares from existing holders.
4. Selling early. Abundance runs a marketplace where you can list your investments, with no fees but no guaranteed buyer. Thrive's shares trade at monthly auctions run by JP Jenkins through a stockbroker, and Thrive runs a discretionary buyback twice a year at a discount to its Directors' Valuation.
5. ISA. Abundance offers an Innovative Finance ISA. Thrive's bonds have been ISA-eligible when offered.
Who Is Each Platform Best For?
Abundance
- Investors who want fixed interest paid twice a year
- Investors who prefer an FCA-authorised platform
- Investors starting with a small amount
Thrive Renewables
- Investors who want to own shares in a renewable energy company
- Investors comfortable with variable dividends
- Investors who can buy and sell through a stockbroker at monthly auctions
Verdict
Choose Abundance for fixed, regular interest from lending to councils through an FCA-authorised platform. Choose Thrive if you want a share in a renewable energy business, accepting variable dividends, that Thrive isn't FCA-authorised, and that selling depends on the monthly auctions. For either, check whether an offer is open before planning to invest.
Disclaimer: Your capital is at risk. Loans to councils and unlisted shares or bonds are not covered by the FSCS, and it may be hard to sell early. Past dividends and interest rates are not a guide to the future. This comparison is information, not financial advice.
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