This platform is no longer active — ceased trading.
Profile retained as a historical reference. The information on this page does not represent an active investment opportunity. Explore active platforms
Funding Empire
UK peer-to-peer SME lending platform that ceased retail lending operations.
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- N/A
- Minimum investment
- Not disclosed
- AUM / raised
- —
- Founded
- UK
- Geography
- No
- Secondary market
- Debt
- Investment type
Funding Empire in ten seconds
Structured fields recorded the same way for every platform in the directory, so they can be compared like for like.
- Asset classes
- Private Debt
- Investment type
- Debt
- Formerly FCA authorised · Formerly FCA-authorised (FRN 734921, until 28 Nov 2022) · FCA Register
- Operator
- Tally Marketplace Lending Limited · Co. no. 08285356
- Company status
- Dissolved
- N/A
- Not disclosed
- Founded
- —
- Geography
- UK
- No
- Operating status
- Closed · Ceased trading
- Last reviewed
- February 2026
- Website
- fundingempire.com
What was Funding Empire?
Funding Empire was a UK peer-to-peer lending platform operated by Funding Empire Limited (Companies House 08285356), renamed Tally Marketplace Lending Limited in December 2015. The firm was FCA-authorised (FRN 734921) until 28 November 2022.
Link to Downing Crowd. Downing LLP had already brought in Funding Empire's technology and founders before it completed its acquisition of Funding Empire on 3 July 2019. Downing ran its own lending platform, Downing Crowd, on that technology. Funding Empire continued to administer repayments on its existing loans but issued no new loans under its own brand. That is why the FCA Register lists "Downing Crowd" as a trading name of both Tally Marketplace Lending Limited and Downing LLP. See the Downing profile.
The platform is no longer operational. This profile is kept for historical reference.
How did Funding Empire work?
Funding Empire operated as a peer-to-peer lending platform, connecting investors with borrowers and managing borrower assessment, loan structuring and repayment administration.
What did Funding Empire offer?
Debt-based investment through peer-to-peer loans, with investors earning interest on the loans they funded.
Who was Funding Empire for?
Investors seeking debt-based returns through peer-to-peer lending via a regulated platform. As a formerly FCA-authorised platform whose authorisation has been cancelled, this profile is maintained for historical reference only.
Sources and methodology
- Last reviewed
- February 2026
- Sources
- FCA FOI Table 2, FCA Register, Companies House, Downing LLP (downing.co.uk, 3 July 2019)
- Methodology
- How we research platforms →
Editorial research, not financial advice. See the full disclaimer in the site footer. Are you the owner of Funding Empire or representing the company? To submit an addition, clarification or correction, get in touch or use our contact form.
Funding Empire vs other Private Debt platforms
| Funding Empire | Downing | Crowd2Fund | Crowd for Angels | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | N/A | Varies by product | £250 | £100 |
| FCA status | Formerly FCA authorised | FCA authorised | FCA authorised | FCA authorised |
| Structure | Debt | Debt, Equity | Debt, Equity | Debt, Equity |
| Secondary market | No | No | No | No |
| Founded | — | 1986 | 2014 | 2014 |
| Geography | UK | UK | UK | UK |
- What is the minimum investment on Funding Empire?
- Funding Empire's minimum investment is N/A.
- Is Funding Empire regulated by the FCA?
- Not any more. Formerly FCA-authorised (FRN 734921, until 28 Nov 2022).
- Does Funding Empire offer a secondary market?
- No, Funding Empire does not currently offer a secondary market.