CapitalRise
CapitalRise is a UK fintech platform providing direct lending and investment opportunities in prime residential and commercial property in London and the Home Counties. Founded in 2016 by Uma Rajah, Alex Michelin and Andrew Dunn — with roots in luxury developer Finchatton — the platform has originated over £588m in property loans since launch.
General Information
CapitalRise is a UK financial-technology platform that provides direct lending and investment opportunities in prime residential and commercial property projects in London and the Home Counties. It was founded in 2016 by Uma Rajah, Alex Michelin and Andrew Dunn and positions itself as a way for qualified investors to access institutional-grade real estate debt previously available mainly to large institutions.
Michelin and Dunn previously co-founded Finchatton, a luxury property developer, which provides the founders' background in property development. Since launch, the platform has originated more than £588 million in property loans and supported property values exceeding £1.27 billion. CapitalRise reports no investment losses or defaults to date, although past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
Performance & Track Record
As of January 2026, CapitalRise reports the following platform performance: total originated £588m; supported property value £1.273bn; total repaid £320m; historical average return 8.86% p.a.; and no investment losses or defaults reported to date.
How does it work?
CapitalRise lists property loans on the platform and, for each project, establishes a ring-fenced subsidiary company (SPV) that issues bonds to investors corresponding to the secured loan. Loans are typically secured by first or second legal charges on the underlying property, and the platform reports a typical average LTV around the mid-60s (reported average LTV 66%), with senior loans up to c.60% LTV and mezzanine loans at higher levels.
The platform uses pre-funders to provide immediate capital to borrowers prior to replacement by platform investors. Repayments and legal processes are managed via solicitors and custodians. Because CapitalRise predominantly funds development loans, interest is typically capitalised and paid at maturity rather than distributed as regular income.
What do they offer?
CapitalRise offers fixed-rate, secured property bonds tied to specific loans. The minimum investment per project is £1,000. Target returns are typically cited between 7% and 12% p.a., with a historical average return of 8.86% p.a. since launch (to January 2026).
The platform offers an Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) wrapper, launched in 2017, for eligible investors. A secondary market — the Bulletin Board — allows investors to offer holdings for sale; the platform charges a 1.5% fee on the current value of a successful sale. Liquidity via the secondary market is not guaranteed.
Who is it for?
CapitalRise is aimed at investors who meet FCA investor-category definitions: self-certified Sophisticated Investors, High Net Worth Individuals, or Professional Clients. A UK bank account is required; some non-UK residents may be eligible subject to additional checks and jurisdictional limits.
The investments are illiquid and capital is at risk. The secondary market does not guarantee an exit, so investors should be prepared to hold loans to term. Given the concentrated nature of the loans — focused on prime London and Home Counties property — building a fully diversified portfolio solely on the CapitalRise platform may be challenging. These investments are not suitable for all investors.
Regulatory & Legal Notes
CapitalRise accepts investors who fall into FCA-defined categories (Self-Certified Sophisticated, High Net Worth, Professional). However, the platform's full FCA registration number (FRN) and legal entity name were not confirmed in the latest research. The absence of an FRN in the research materials should not be taken as confirmation of non-authorisation — further checks with the FCA Register are recommended for verification.
The bonds issued by CapitalRise are classified as Speculative Illiquid Securities (SIS), often referred to as mini-bonds. These fall into the non-mass market investment category under the FCA's financial promotion rules.
Unlock full platform information
- Performance & Track Record
- How does it work?
- What do they offer?
- Who is it for?
- Regulatory & Legal Notes
Already a member?
Free forever · No spam · Takes 10 seconds
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice and should not be considered as such. In particular, it does not constitute personal advice, please ask your financial advisor to address your particular personal requirements. Other is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), its authors are not financial advisors and it is therefore not authorised to offer financial advice. This article is not intended as an offer, invitation or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any investment, nor is its issuance intended to give rise to any other legal relations whatsoever and must not be relied upon for the purposes of any investment decision. The information contained in this article is subject to updating, revision and amendment.
Compare CapitalRise With
Looking for Alternatives?
Related Platforms
Unlock the full CapitalRise profile