University of Cambridge: Alternative finance market set to double in 2015

The UK’s alternative finance market – which includes crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending and invoice trading – is set to reach nearly £2 billion by the end of the year, and is expected to double in 2015, as businesses increasingly seek more efficient ways to raise funding, according to new research published today by the University of Cambridge and Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation. Report co-author Bryan Zhang said:

2014 has been a phenomenal year for the industry and this record-breaking growth is set to continue into the next year and beyond. By connecting people directly and offering more efficient, diverse and transparent ways to invest or raise funds, alternative finance is increasingly becoming a viable source of capital for individuals and businesses alike. Although there are challenges ahead, the future looks very promising for alternative finance.

Read the full article [cam.ac.uk]