(25.06.2025) After declining by nearly 15% in 2022 and 2023, the volume of funds raised dropped by only 1.5% last year, to 550.2 million Swiss francs, according to the Crowdfunding Monitor Schweiz from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU).
In 2021, alternative financing had reached a peak of 791.8 million francs. Since that high point, the market entered a phase of contraction before stabilizing.
In 2024, performance varied considerably depending on the type of crowdfunding. Crowdinvesting, which involves the subscription of securities, fell by 11% to 117.1 million francs. Donations and support-based models (crowdsupporting and crowddonating) also declined, down 7% to 27.1 million francs. In contrast, crowdlending, or peer-to-peer lending, rose by 2% to 406.1 million francs.
Experts, nevertheless, observed mixed trends within crowdlending. Consumer crowdlending – loans to individuals – jumped by 19.1% to 73.1 million francs, reaching its second-highest level on record. Business crowdlending, aimed at companies, remained virtually unchanged at 133.6 million francs. Meanwhile, real estate crowdlending, used for short-term property financing, slipped by 2.2% to 199.4 million francs.
The Swiss crowdfunding market appears highly polarized overall. In crowdlending, the five leading platforms account for 90% of the total funding volume. In crowdinvesting, three platforms capture 86% of all funds raised.
Falling interest rates could further strengthen the appeal of crowdlending. The downward shift that began in 2024 is reducing borrowing costs for debtors while encouraging investors to seek higher-yielding alternatives, such as peer-to-peer loans, amid persistently low returns on the Swiss franc.
Last modification 25.06.2025
