Financial leadership category and submission

In 2016/2017 Thrive raised a total of £13M for renewable energy projects through innovative online crowdfunding and was the first bond offer to be available through the Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA).

Thrive highlights:

• The Thrive Plc bond offer raised £9.97m for new sustainable energy projects in the UK exceeding its target of £7.5m by 33 per cent.
• It was one of the first crowdfunded bonds eligible for an Innovative Finance ISA.
• The funds are now being deployed into onshore wind and solar projects with the aim of generating a further 36,000 UK homes with clean electricity in 2018.
• 933 individuals invested their money in Thrive Renewable’s bond from just £5 online.
• Whilst the 5% interest rate and IFISA benefits provided a healthy incentive to investors, Thrive’s bond demonstrates strong investor appetite and support for UK renewable energy.
• Working with Triodos Bank’s corporate finance specialists and Abundance Investment, Thrive was able to offer Bondholders the opportunity to include their investment in their IF-ISA.

With a 20-year history and trusted ethos, Thrive unites a growing movement of investors who are wanting to see investment with direct impact. The Bristol based, sustainable company has contributed to the construction of 95 MW of renewable energy projects, across 19 sites around the UK with a total of £105M assets under management.

The IFISA was introduced on 6 April 2016 and from 1 November 2016 crowdfunded debt securities, such as the Thrive Bond, were eligible for inclusion.

Thrive Renewables continues to invest in and operate renewable energy projects, uniting a community of over 6,300 investors.