Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are among the major European economic players, who face funding hardships. The estimated bank-financing gap nears €400 billion, the lack of which undermines innovation, segment growth, and resilience — while also potentially affecting the economic development across the Eurozone. Cautious lending practices, along with high interest rates and strict banking rules, make SMEs look for external funding beyond traditional bank loans. One viable option is regulated crowdlending powered by transparent and reputable platforms like Maclear. It allows small and medium businesses to access extra funds, while offering investors a stable and transparent financial alternative to volatile assets.
The SMEs Funding Problem
Eurobarometer 2024 data suggests that there are around 26 million SMEs across the European Union (EU) that employ 90 million people and account for roughly half of the European GDP. Despite funding challenges, the entrepreneurial activity is stable. The number of SMEs is set to increase by 1.2% annually. Nonetheless, financial challenges remain critical to the sector’s growth and development.
Around 70% of companies seek external funding from banks that apply complex borrowing procedures and high interest rates. According to the European Small Business Finance Outlook report, conducted by EIF in 2024, 25% of SMEs continuingly report financial challenges. If almost half of entrepreneurs claim that bank borrowings are a viable option, only 14% really use them. Just to compare, twice as many companies use overdraft, which is far more accessible.
Some data, including the EIF Research, report signs of easing. For example, the European Central Bank discovered that banks are more willing to lend now. However, this is more relevant to large firms rather than SMEs. Just 4% of small businesses admit to facilitated loan approval, compared to 15% of larger organizations. As a result, entrepreneurs still struggle to access external funding to power their companies, hence contributing to the overall EU economy.
The Solution: Crowdlending for SMEs as a Reliable Investment for Retail Investors
Bank loans are a popular but not the only option for SMEs to get working capital. FinTech companies offer crowdlending — when small businesses access extra funds from retail investors through transparent FinTech platforms like Maclear. It’s more than just an intermediary between businesses and investors. Crowdlending platforms closely work with SMEs, conduct due diligence, analyse previous financial performance, calculate risks and potential returns. As a result, investors access a variety of businesses from different sectors, being sure this isn’t some scam but a performant project with predictable financial returns.
For example, before listing on Maclear, financial analysts examine a business’s financial health, compliance with regulatory requirements, and assess potential risks for investors. This ensures that every investment is tied to real businesses, real assets, and measurable economic impact. Such an approach allows Maclear to create a transparent environment for both SMEs and investors. For four years, the platform has been trusted by 16,100+ investors across 13 countries that have funded €38.3 million. The repaid amount exceeds €6.9 million, with zero default loans.
The benefits of crowdlending aren’t limited to transparency and accessible financial solutions. Maclear offers a fixed annual return of up to 15%, which becomes a stable alternative compared to volatile crypto or stock market investments. To facilitate crowdlending development across Europe and provide SMEs with the required funding, the platform set a low entry for investors.
Why Is Crowdlending the Next-Gen Financial Tool for SMEs and Investors Alike?
Crowdlending is becoming mainstream in Europe, addressing the needs of both small businesses and investors. SMEs are trapped in a situation where external finance is limited. Despite some easing, banks still apply complex procedures for borrowers and high interest rates, which fall on entrepreneurs as a financial burden rather than relief.
Investors also abandon traditional financial tools like bank loans or stock markets because they seek transparent and accessible investment options. This is especially relevant for younger investors, who focus on sustainability and social impact. By engaging in crowdlending, investors contribute to local businesses and acknowledge the effect of their investments on the economy and society. What is more, they access a predictable and transparent financial tool with fixed returns, getting more control over their funds.
By combining the two pains — SMEs’ funding gap in the EU and investors’ desire for transparency, control, and measurable impact — crowdlending transitions from a niche trend to the mainstream. According to Statista, the transaction value in Europe in 2025 is projected to reach €5.72 billion, with a 5.4% annual increase. An increasing adoption is driven by demand from both sides. On the one hand, small businesses attract extra funds to power their processes; on the other hand, investors can easily diversify their portfolio with a reliable financial tool. This boosts the sector development, contributing to the overall economic growth.
Boilerplate
Maclear is a Swiss crowdlending platform that enables investors to fund real-world business projects and earn fixed annual returns of up to 15%. Since its launch in 2021, Maclear has facilitated over €30.7 million in funding, with more than €5.9 million already repaid, while maintaining a zero-default record.
Trusted by over 12,700 investors across 13 countries, the platform offers reliable, transparent, and accessible investment opportunities. With over 130 projects funded and a recent expansion into the UAE, Maclear continues to expand its global footprint, with top activity in Bulgaria, Estonia, and Italy.
