CrowdProperty expands internationally with launch in Australia

The UK’s leading specialist property project online lending platform CrowdProperty (www.crowdproperty.com) has expanded its international footprint, announcing the launch of CrowdProperty Australia (www.crowdproperty.com.au).

Leveraging the UK's market-leading asset-class expertise, proprietary technology and experience of growing the leading specialist platform in its space in the UK, CrowdProperty has launched in Australia to offer a non-bank lending alternative to the SME property development market, which faces very similar pains to those being solved by CrowdProperty in the UK.

CrowdProperty Australia's CEO David Ingram has significant experience in the sector, with capabilities developed through a career in strategic advisory and operations spanning the property, fintech and healthcare industries in both Australia and the UK. As co-founder and CEO of a PaaS marketplace for mortgages, insurance and utilities, David has personally conceived, founded and successfully exited an Australian fintech and is perfectly placed to drive CrowdProperty in Australia and realise its potential.

David is supported by a highly experienced locally appointed board and team, including:

• CMO & Co-Founder Ian Bell, who has a 20+ year career growing household consumer brands.

• COO & Director Tony Zulli, a senior business leader with decades of experience as a company director and Responsible Manager.

• Property Director Daniel He, an active property developer directly involved in over $40m worth of property deals across Australia over the last 13 years.

• Head of Marketing & Growth Jamie Millar, a senior marketeer with a background in technology marketing, PR and communications, sales and brand management.

UK CEO Mike Bristow will sit on the CrowdProperty Australia Board alongside David, Ian, Tony and Daniel.

CrowdProperty Australia is additionally funded by a select group of domain-experienced investors in Australia, ranging from property development, property professionals, financial services, lending, fintech, technology and marketing, completing the comprehensive picture of a very high potential launch.

Mike Bristow, CEO of CrowdProperty UK, commented:

“The model that we have proven with great success in the UK is a perfect fit for the Australian market. We're a company founded by people who have long experience developing property and working in the finance sector, built entirely around the customer. We intimately know the pain developers experience when trying to fund projects and have built a lending business to deliver speed, ease and certainty of funding for these developers, who can spend up to a third of their time working to secure finance for their property projects. At the heart of the business is technology for efficiency and expertise for effectiveness, delivering a better deal for all - borrowers, lenders, under-supplied housing markets and spend in the country's economy.

“Since launching in the UK in 2014, we've funded over £250,000,000 of property projects by SME developers, constructing over 1,400 homes in the UK, and delivered a 100% capital and interest payback to investors. CrowdProperty is the UK's leading specialist property project lending platform and we see the same potential in Australia for CrowdProperty, underpinned with all that experience.”

David Ingram, CEO and Co-Founder of CrowdProperty Australia, added:

“We know that property developers can spend up to six months waiting to secure finance for a project, with lenders often changing the terms of the loan at the very last minute.

"CrowdProperty can take that process down to a matter of a few weeks, with no hidden fees nor surprises that plague more traditional funding options. This gives developers working with CrowdProperty significant advantage: firstly, they can move quicker when competing for good projects (which is what vendors want). Secondly, they're working with property people providing property finance who understand their vision, are there to support throughout the project and want to build a long-term partnership.

"Our solution matches investor capital more directly to the developer using it to add value, enabling greater returns, meeting the major needs of both sides of the marketplace.”

Hilary Smyth-Allen, Executive Lead at SuperTech, said:

“CrowdProperty are another jewel in the West Midlands crown, demonstrating why Birmingham is fantastic place to create globally relevant next generation services. Congratulations to CrowdProperty from us all at SuperTech and we wish you every success in your expansion to Australia.”