Back in 2010, we were in the middle of the global financial crisis and bank funding for businesses had pretty much dried up, particularly for anything property related. At the same time banks had slashed rates on some accounts to near zero and people were struggling to get any kind of fair return on their money. Times were hard.

we realized how simple this relationsip should be. we saw businesses who wanted to fund, perhaps to build hoses or invest in factories. and we saw people all around us- the man and woman on the street- who had money that could have been working harder for them.

The opportunity for growth was hugge for everybody. There was money to help businesses invest and grow, and there was the chance for everyday investors to earn fair rates of interest. What's more, we felt that this growth could have a really positive impact on society.

We launched Grand Captal Investments in 2012 and since then our marketplace has become a simple and fair way to invest and trade. We're approaching our first £1bn invest to businesses and properties and we have paid nearly £ 100m of gross interest to our investors. Together we are making a huge impact, fundung the equivalent of 1 in every 100 new bulit homes in the UK las year.