Businesses

Team : Over the past five years, La Première Brique has attracted around 46,000 investors who have financed nearly 500 real estate projects, raising a total of €152 million. In 2023 alone, €70 million was collected to support 201 projects. The success of this Lyon-based start-up, founded by Hugo Berthe and Thomas Danset, is largely attributed to the simplicity and accessibility of its crowdfunding platform. Each week, four to five real estate projects are selected and offered to individuals who can invest anywhere from €1 to €50,000. Another major factor in their success is the platform’s competitive average return rate of 11%. “To date, over €50 million has been reimbursed with a 0% default rate,” the company’s president noted. The projects, which include residential properties, office spaces, and land, come from all over France. In a challenging market, small-scale developers and property traders particularly value this fast financing solution. In return, La Première Brique charges a fixed fee on the funds raised by these real estate professionals. Investors, however, incur no fees. “We currently have a campaign underway for an office and retail property in Haute-Savoie,” shared Hugo Berthe, adding that “the average investment per individual is around €600.” The start-up, which currently employs 15 people, plans to grow its team to 20 by the end of the year. Pros Cons

Team : Launched in 2014, Homunity.com is a platform specializing in real estate investment. Already well-established on its own, the company gained additional strength when it was acquired in 2019 by Tikehau Capital. This global group, operating across four asset classes (corporate debt, real assets, private equity, and capital market strategies), provides a solid foundation for Homunity.com and promising prospects for its growth. The platform currently offers services across three main investment categories: Crowdfunding for Real Estate Projects Homunity.com enables crowdfunding for real estate projects of various sizes, ranging from a few hundred thousand euros to multi-million-euro initiatives (e.g., €2 million, €3 million, or even €8 million). Typically, these funds help meet the equity requirements demanded by banks to grant complementary financing. Investors can choose projects with durations primarily between 12 and 36 months and annual returns ranging from 8% to 11%*, depending on the project’s risk profile. As with most platforms in the industry, the minimum investment is €1,000. While this entry point may not be accessible to everyone—especially since diversifying across multiple projects is essential to mitigate risk—it is far more affordable than purchasing a rental property outright. Additionally, Homunity.com offers guidance for those interested in traditional real estate transactions. New Real Estate Developments The platform also provides opportunities to invest in newly developed real estate projects, such as purchasing individual apartments. Investors receive personalized support for financial simulations, securing loans if needed, and assistance throughout the entire process, from acquisition to receiving the keys—and even beyond, with rental management services available through Homunity.com’s partners. Real Estate Investment Trusts (SCPI) For those seeking regular income without the high upfront cost of purchasing property, Homunity.com offers a curated selection of real estate investment trusts (SCPIs). Options include well-known names like Cœur de Régions, Pierval Santé, Activimmo, Vendôme Régions, and Immorente, among others. These SCPIs deliver net returns ranging between 4.65%* and 6.40%*. *Rates mentioned are subject to variation based on specific project or fund performance. Pros Cons

Team : Fundimmo has established itself as a key player in real estate crowdfunding in France since its launch in 2015. With over €320 million in projects funded and a minimum investment threshold of €1,000, it holds a significant position in the market. However, I do not place Fundimmo at the top of my list for several reasons. Primarily, its heavy focus on real estate development—a sector currently facing challenges—raises concerns. This lack of diversification has led to frequent delays. Additionally, the returns offered are below the market average, which is another drawback in my view. Market observers have also noted a certain lack of responsiveness from Fundimmo in addressing the growing difficulties within the sector. For instance, the platform was slow to implement effective measures during early challenges, such as consistently applying penalties to developers for delays. Complaints about insufficient communication, unclear updates on corrective actions, and delays stretching from several months to even years have been reported (see Trustpilot). To regain investor confidence, Fundimmo needs to focus on diversifying its offerings beyond real estate development and improving its responsiveness. While 2023 showed some course correction, the situation remains fragile. Overall, I see Fundimmo as a credible player in the French real estate crowdfunding landscape. While it can be an option worth considering, it carries higher risks. Pros Cons

Team : Enerfip is a crowdfunding platform dedicated to renewable energy projects, operating under the regulation of the French Financial Markets Authority and accredited as an Advisor in Participatory Financing. The platform empowers individuals to actively participate in the energy transition by investing their savings—starting from as little as €10—in solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass energy projects through enerfip.fr. This innovative approach connects investors directly with renewable energy initiatives across France, carefully selected by Enerfip and supported by established companies in the sector. Enerfip ensures complete transparency by providing comprehensive financial, technical, and administrative details for each project it audits. Rooted in local communities, Enerfip is deeply committed to addressing energy challenges while fostering public engagement. Its mission is to offer citizens an attractive and controlled alternative savings solution that supports renewable energy development, while also providing project developers with an additional financing option beyond traditional sources. Enerfip also prioritizes accessibility by organizing information sessions in municipalities affected by its projects and offering in-person support for individuals unfamiliar with online platforms. This approach allows all citizens to invest in shaping the energy future of their regions, contributing meaningfully to the transition to cleaner, sustainable energy. Pros Cons

Team : Coreestate utilizes blockchain technology to make real estate investments more accessible through tokenization. Their platform allows individuals to invest in rental properties by purchasing digital tokens, which represent fractional ownership in specific real estate projects. These tokens grant investors a share of rental income and potential value appreciation, removing the traditional barriers of high capital requirements. The company’s approach includes acquiring and renovating residential properties, financed through the issuance of security tokens. For example, their GREV55 project in Denmark transformed an older building into modern apartments, funded by token sales. Investors benefit from passive rental income and enhanced transparency, with the added advantage of trading their tokens on secondary markets. With a low minimum investment of €100 and projected annual returns of approximately 10%, Coreestate makes property investment accessible to a broader audience. By bypassing conventional bank loans, they empower both retail and institutional investors to participate in real estate opportunities at a reduced cost Pros Cons

Team : Clubfounding is an innovative platform designed to empower groups of individuals, businesses, or organizations to pool resources and collaboratively invest in high-value assets, projects, or ventures. By combining advanced digital tools and transparent management systems, Clubfounding democratizes access to investment opportunities that were traditionally exclusive to institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals. The platform facilitates the entire investment process, from group formation and resource pooling to project execution and profit distribution. It prioritizes transparency, accountability, and ease of use, enabling members to track their contributions, manage ownership stakes, and receive updates in real time. Clubfounding’s mission is to foster collective ownership and financial inclusivity, creating opportunities for smaller investors to co-own assets like real estate, businesses, or unique ventures. By leveraging technology and a community-driven approach, Clubfounding redefines collaborative investing for the modern era. Pros Cons

Team Bricks, established in early 2021, initially provided access to real estate investments through royalty-based contracts. This approach continued until late 2022, but by mid-2023, the company shifted to a bond contract model. This change followed a cautionary notice from the AMF (France’s Financial Markets Authority), which highlighted issues in the sector. Although the notice did not directly name Bricks, it was apparent that Bricks, as a leader in this new royalty-based real estate model, was a key focus. In this updated structure, Bricks now acts as a financial intermediary rather than holding ownership of projects. Its role is primarily to connect: With this shift, Bricks has positioned itself as a real estate crowdfunding platform, backing both short-term property transactions and longer-term rental investments. This transition to a crowdfunding model seems better aligned with Bricks’ capabilities. That said, the company still faces obstacles in project selection and presentation. Currently, I do not consider Bricks to be among the top-tier real estate crowdfunding platforms. Given Bricks’ history, a cautious approach is advisable until the company builds a more reliable track record. Past challenges make it difficult to place full confidence in Bricks at this stage. Pros Cons

Team : Founded in 2016 by Alexandre Toussaint, Baltis, formerly known as Baltis Capital, is a French platform for alternative investments regulated by the AMF. Since becoming part of the Magellim Group in 2021, the company has offered a wide range of financial products, including real estate crowdfunding. In this area, Baltis stands out for its versatility, financing projects such as the construction of new buildings, the renovation of existing properties, as well as land development and the creation of new neighborhoods across France. The focus on regional development and the opportunity to support local real estate initiatives is a key selling point for Baltis. This is reflected in the variety of projects available, which extend far beyond the boundaries of Paris. This diversity provides an excellent opportunity for portfolio diversification, with crowdfunding itself already being a powerful tool for diversifying investments. Pros Cons

Team : Fractional real estate is rapidly gaining attention as a transformative trend in property investment. While global pioneers like RealT have paved the way, platforms such as Bricks.co have been instrumental in making the concept approachable and well-known in France. Traditionally, property investments required large capital commitments—often upwards of €100,000 or €200,000—into a single rental property. However, the focus is now shifting toward building diversified portfolios by owning fractional shares across multiple properties. Similar to crowdfunding, the idea centers on spreading investments, but with fractional ownership, investors gain direct property shares rather than merely contributing to a funding initiative. ATOA is an innovative platform revolutionizing fractional real estate through tokenization. A token acts as a digital representation of a property share, allowing investors to become co-owners and earn rental income proportional to their holdings. With ATOA, real estate investment is accessible to nearly everyone. Starting at just €50, investors can acquire shares in properties located in thriving areas like Rouen, Niort, Lille, and Poitiers. The platform offers a curated selection of projects, complete with updates on progress. Soon, a secondary market will allow investors to buy and sell tokens, enhancing liquidity and flexibility. Getting started with ATOA is straightforward. The platform’s user-friendly interface allows you to create an account in minutes, even without prior blockchain knowledge. Transactions and token ownership are secured through blockchain technology, and payments can be made in euros or cryptocurrency. Once registered, you can browse available properties and choose tokens that align with your investment goals. To ensure the safety of your investment, properties are held by an independent trust, which manages rental income and distributes earnings to token holders as credits. ATOA empowers investors with full control over their fractional real estate portfolio. You can reinvest rental earnings into new projects, transfer funds to your bank account, or convert them into cryptocurrency. The upcoming secondary market also provides an option to sell tokens to other investors, making the platform both flexible and adaptable. This cutting-edge approach to real estate investment makes it more accessible, diversified, and liquid, opening the door to a new generation of property investors. Pros Cons

Anaxago Team : Anaxago SAS, established in 2012 by Joachim Dupont, Caroline Lamaud, and François Carbone, is a French crowdfunding platform that was among the pioneers in this sector. In 2014, it obtained certification as a participatory investment advisor (CIP) from the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers). The platform enables private investors to co-invest in startups and provide crowdfunding loans for real estate projects. By 2018, it had raised over €100 million across more than 180 curated projects. Some of the prominent startups supported through its platform include Nestor, Novolyse, Acticor Biotech, Eyebrain, and Shapr. In 2017, Business Insider listed the company as the 13th most active Fintech startup. That same year, it was recognized as the second-largest platform in France in terms of project offerings by the independent website HelloCrowdFunding. On October 4, 2018, Anaxago launched Anaxago Capital, a fund management company authorized by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, and announced the creation of a new investment fund. By early 2019, the company employed 35 staff members, reported a revenue of €3.5 million in 2018, and had reached profitability. Its goals for 2019 included advancing the digitization of savings and achieving €4.5 million in revenue. Pros Cons