Briqwise expands platform for commercial real estate funding to the Australian market

With the expansion, the fast-growing Fintech startup is the first Dutch peer-to-peer platform to enter the international market with a local delegation

Amsterdam, May 26, 2021 – Briqwise, the peer-to-peer platform for commercial real estate funding, announces its direct entry into the Australian market. With this expansion, the Dutch Fintech startup aims to build upon its mission of bridging the gap between entrepreneurs that seek to finance their commercial properties, and astute investors that want a reliable return on investment.

Entrepreneurs – particularly those with small or medium enterprises – have been facing the same problem for years: banks rarely provide them with the right funding or credit. This has been exacerbated by the pandemic and is detrimental for the growth of companies in the long run. At the same time, the negative interest rates at those same banks have made acquiring interest on savings an unappealing option for those with large savings. Briqwise solves the issue for both parties by bringing them together. Funding can be requested starting at € 100.000 against a predetermined interest rate. Credit assessment is conducted through an established banking method.

“Given that in the first year, €5 million was invested via our platform, to  €20 million in the second year, and now steadily heading to €50 million, Briqwise clearly found a willing and viable market opening,” says Frank van Dongen, former Senior Vice President Commercial Banking at ABN AMRO and co-founder of Briqwise. “What’s great about our model is that we not only get to help both parties solve their problems, but also make them happy. Investors are often former entrepreneurs themselves, and they are enthusiastic to make a nice return on their investments while being able to help fellow entrepreneurs. In this way we make investing much more personal.”

International ambitions and expansion to Australia

After a string of successes in the first years of operation, Briqwise is now focused on developing its platform, raising the number of deals made, and going international. Australia is the first in line. Pieter Porte, co-founder and partner at Briqwise, explains the expansion and what it will entail: “Our platform was designed to accommodate the international market from the get-go. Many countries face the same issues: banks are pulling back from the financing market and there is no longer any money to be made from interests or savings. Whether we expand across the border or to a new continent, the internet makes it feel as if all countries are our direct neighbors.”

“Our expectations are high but realistic. The market in Australia is much larger than The Netherlands and the playing field is different. If we can grow at the same pace as we did in The Netherlands we’ll be happy”, Van Dongen adds. “Our business model covers all the expenses that come along with this strategy, but we are open to any expertise and capital from third parties to strengthen and accelerate our international strategy. We are in talks with several parties, but other VCs are certainly welcome.”

By 2025, Briqwise aims to be a full-fledged international platform, present in at least five countries around the world. The scalable and intelligent cross-border IT platform ensures the local delegations can conduct all funding in a fast and easy manner.

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About Briqwise

In 2018, Pieter Porte, Frank van Dongen, and Guus Oerlemans founded Briqwise. Utilizing their extensive knowledge and expertise in establishing commercial internet platforms and the banking industry, Briqwise was created to bridge the gap between entrepreneurs looking for real estate financing and investors who want to make a stable return on their investments. 

For more information, visit www.briqwise.com and briqwise.com.au