At Green Crowd, our mission is to support and drive forward green and renewable initiatives by offering green, ethical, and socially beneficial investment opportunities that contribute to the growth of a sustainable economy.
Green Crowd Frequently Asked Questions
What is crowdfunding?
Crowdfunding finances people, projects or businesses by raising contributions from a large number of people, usually via the internet on a ‘platform’. In return, you receive shares in a company or earn interest.
The sector is often associated with early-stage equity investments in start-ups, but in fact some 97% of the money raised in mature markets like UK has been debt-based. Much of the market is now lending to more mature businesses with established revenue streams.
How do I invest?
To invest through Green Crowd, you need to register on our platform and complete the registration process. You can then pledge to invest in the company of your choice.
You will be asked a series of questions to ensure that you understand investing and the risks involved. After pledging, there is a four-day cooling off period in which you can withdraw your pledge at any time. After this period has passed, you will receive further information on how to finalise your investment.
What are the risks of investing?
When you make an investment via the Green Crowd platform, your capital is at risk. If something goes wrong or the project or company fails during the life of the investment, it may not be able to pay your returns and you may not get back all or any of your investment.
The sorts of things that could result in a project of company getting into trouble may include (but is not limited to):
- Lower than expected revenues
- Higher than expected costs
- Extended operational failure not covered by normal maintenance warranties and contracts
- An extended period of deflation
- Delays or missed deadlines in a projects timeline
There are also specific risks that relate to each individual project. Please ensure that you read the Key Investment Information Sheet and our Risk Warning to ensure that you fully understand the investment and the risks involved in investing.
What due diligence is performed by Green Crowd?
We place high importance on making sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. We conduct a high-level of due diligence on the company and its directors.
We use information provided to us from the Project Owner and request certain assurances from the Project Owner, including that all documents and historical details provided to us by the borrower are accurate and genuine and that no material information has been withheld from us.
Due diligence can include verifying contracts, warranties, insurance policies, permissions and licences. It can also include reviewing third-party valuations of the underlying assets and any other relevant documentation.
What is EIIS?
The Employment & Investment Incentive Scheme is a Revenue scheme that allows investors to avail of tax relief on their investment. The amount of EIIS tax relief is dependent on certain conditions being met by the qualifying company.
Tax treatment varies by individual and may change. EIIS tax relief applies only to Irish resident qualifying taxpayers investing in eligible projects. Investors must claim the EIIS tax relief through their own tax return. Other taxes (such as Capital Gains Tax and or Income Tax) may apply depending on your circumstances.
Can I change my mind once I have pledged to invest?
Yes you have a four-day cooling off period in which to cancel your pledge. You can do this by logging onto the platform.
Can I sell my investment?
EIIS shares must be held for a minimum of four-years in order for the investor to avail of the tax relief. If shares are sold before the four-year period has ended, Revenue will claw-back the tax relief granted to the investor. If you invest in Projects on the Green Crowd platform, you will not have access to your money for four years. There is no mechanism for early redemption of shares.
Is past performance of the company or directors something to consider when investing?
No. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance and should not be relied upon when making an investment decision.
How do I make a complaint?
Green Crowd is committed to providing high quality crowdfunding services to all clients. We value feedback from our clients and recognise that effective complaints handling is an important part of delivering excellent customer service.
If you are dissatisfied with our service, you should in the first instance, contact us by email info@greencrowd.ie or by telephone at 01 912 0345. You can also use a webpage contact page or write to us at Green Crowd, Enterprise House, O’Brien Road, Carlow R93 Y0Y3, Ireland.
You can find a copy of our Complaints Policy here.
How can I raise funds through Green Crowd?
Green Crowd focuses on supporting enterprises committed to environmentally sustainable initiatives, ranging from renewable energy projects to sustainable businesses.
To raise funds via Green Crowd, register on our Platform as a business looking to raise funds. We can only raise funds for Irish companies and subsidiaries.
Complete the registration process with as much information as you can and we will review the information and come back to you and let you know if your business is suitable to raise through the Green Crowd platform.
We will then work together to get your business ready to crowdfund ensuring that all the requirements have been met.
What fees are involved with raising funds through Green Crowd?
Green Crowd will charge a percentage of the funds raised. All fees will be discussed and agreed upfront prior to any work taking place by us or by you.
Does Green Crowd help with the Revenue paperwork for EIIS crowdfunding?
Yes. Green Crowd offers a service of completing the Revenue paperwork, Statements of Qualifications and Share Certificates.
ABILITY TO BEAR LOSS CALCULATOR
Use our calculator to understand your ability to bear the loss of the capital invested. If you would prefer to calculate this yourself, or find out more information click here
Register as an Investor to find out more
Register now to explore our current investment opportunities and become a member of Green Crowd. Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest in sustainable investments. Join us today and start making a positive impact.