Ethex receives major backing to drive community-focused investment

We are thrilled to announce that Ethex has secured £0.5m in funding from an impact investment consortium to propel our mission of enabling people to align their money with their values. This investment is a testament to the belief of the consortium of the power of ethical finance and its ability to transform communities, the economy, and the environment across the UK.

A consortium united for change

The consortium backing us is made up of forward-thinking organisations that share our vision of democratising finance and supporting a more regenerative and inclusive economy. This includes CO2Sense, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), and a renewed investment from our long-standing supporter, Friends Provident Foundation. Additionally, we continue to receive endorsement from our founding investors, including Barrow Cadbury Trust, Better Society Capital, and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Scaling impact for a just transition

With this funding, we can expand the Ethex platform's reach and impact, bringing more positive investors into the fold to support community-driven projects. From renewable energy initiatives to affordable housing projects, we are committed to mobilising investment into solutions that address our pressing social and environmental challenges.

Lisa Ashford, CEO of Ethex, comments
“Ethex exists to give individuals the power to align their money with their values and contribute to building a fairer, more sustainable world. With the support of our backers, we can take the next step in mobilising wealth towards projects that address the pressing challenges of our time, from climate change to financial inclusion, and invite all UK investors to join us in this movement.”

Driving community and climate action

To date, Ethex has raised over £120 million through our platform, with more than £86.7 million invested to support community-owned renewable energy projects. This new funding will allow us to scale our efforts even further, ensuring more people have the opportunity to participate in positive impact investing.

Denise Holle, Head of Social Investment at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, emphasises the importance of this work
“Ethex’s platform exemplifies how we can reimagine finance as a tool for positive transformation. By enabling everyday people to invest in projects they believe in, we are not only supporting community energy and affordable finance but also advancing climate justice and democratic ownership models.”

Hugh Goulbourne, Director at CO2Sense, added
Community-led investment plays a critical role in empowering people to take control of their future, whether through lowering energy bills, creating local jobs, or addressing financial exclusion. Ethex is a proven leader in mobilising the power of the crowd, and we are proud to support their work in reshaping how resources flow to communities.”

James Anthony, Social Investment Portfolio Manager at Friends Provident Foundation says: 
 “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Ethex by increasing our investment in the platform, building on over a decade of collaboration. Ethex continues to play a crucial role in democratising ethical investment, empowering individuals to align their financial decisions with their values. The Ethex platform’s community-led investments help to address some of the UK’s most pressing social and environmental challenges, fostering a fairer, more sustainable economy.” 

Transforming finance to transform lives

The Consortium’s vision for impact investing aligns closely with our goals at Ethex:

• Democratising access to impact investing by enabling individuals to invest in line with their values.
• Advancing financial inclusion by supporting credit unions and CDFIs to help financially excluded individuals and SMEs.
• Accelerating climate justice through community energy initiatives that build local resilience and contribute to the UK’s clean energy transition.
• Fostering community ownership of assets and promoting democratic and equitable models, such as community-owned housing and farms.

Join the movement

This investment marks a major milestone for Ethex, but it is just the beginning. We invite individuals, organisations, and policymakers to join us in building a greener, fairer, and more inclusive economy. By investing through Ethex, you are not only making a financial decision but also a statement about the world you want to see. Let’s transform finance to transform lives together.