Social inequality, climate change, and the energy transition– we are facing complex challenges that demand long-term, resource-conscious solutions. Real estate, as one of the largest single asset classes, and largest source of CO2 emissions plays a central role in this context. Real estate is where the largest impact on energy consumption, social inclusiveness, and sustainable economic practices can be found. Real estate shapes how we live, work, and stands for a majority of the energy we consume and CO2 emissions we have. 

For this reason, we at Reliance have taken the strategic decision to increasingly offer investment opportunities in real estate. These real estate investment opportunities align with our mission to offer both financial and sustainable returns. The vast majority of these investments are closely aligned with at least one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   
 
What does sustainable real estate mean? Why does renewable energy sources play such a key role? In this article we will explores these topics and how you as an investor can earn both a financial and sustainable return through invesdor.  

Real estate, renewable energy, and sustainability: Why is Reliance expanding its range of investment opportunities into real estate ? 

Reliance follows a clear strategy: sustainability and financial returns are at the core of the investment opportunities we offer. Through the investment opportunities in corporate debt, equity investments and renewable energy we have been able to offer attractive financial returns together with environmental sustainability. This has allowed our investors to diversify among three asset classes, ultimately reducing risk while maintaining attractive expected returns. We have however identified that social sustainability is an underserved topic in the financial markets. 

By offering our investors with real estate investment opportunities we believe that we can not only allow our investors to have an even larger environmentally sustainable impact but also tap into social sustainability and diversify further through adding a fourth asset class. This is why we have taken the strategic decision to increasingly offer investment opportunities within real estate. 

Our decision to increasingly offer investment opportunities within real estate is a direct reflection of our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, https://sdgs.un.org/goals). We emphasize environmental aspects as well as social and economic criteria. Every investment opportunity is assessed in advance using a proprietary checklist. Our minimum requirement is ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance – compliance while we strive for having at least 80% of the investment opportunities SDG.  Key SDGs we focus on include the following:  

• Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3): Sustainable real estate promotes healthier living and working environments through improved air quality, the use of natural building materials, and modern ventilation systems—contributing to greater well-being for occupants. 

• Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7): Buildings that rely on renewable energy sources such as solar power, geothermal energy, and battery storage help reduce CO₂ emissions—and ongoing operating costs.  Reliance investment projects are examined to determine the extent to which they cover their energy requirement from renewable sources. 

• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): Inclusive and socially responsible real estate offers fair access to affordable housing, especially for students, seniors, and low-income households. In the investment opportunities offered at Reliance this can mean for example socially supported real estate.  

• Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11): Sustainable real estate can for example contribute to the resilience and livability of urban areas through the renovation and repurposing of existing buildings and smart neighborhood solutions. Ultimately having an impact not only on the livability of the community but also on the environment. When evaluating investment opportunities within real estate we consider multiple factors including local context , support mixed-use development, and help shape future-proof urban structures.   

• Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12): Sustainable real estate construction relies on resource-efficient construction methods. Such real estate prioritizes the refurbishment of existing buildings and the use of eco-friendly materials. Our assessment criteria for sustainable real estate construction and refurbishment include, for example,  material circularity and long-term maintainability.

Through our strict evaluation criterion including the above-mentioned SDG’s we at Reliance want to enable our investors to invest in real estate offering attractive financial- and sustainable returns and the opportunity to diversify into a new asset class. 

INFO: What are sustainable buildings?   
Sustainable real estate refers to buildings or neighborhoods that are planned from the outset- or transformed according to environmental, economic, and social criteria. Such buildings can be characterized by resource-efficient construction methods (such as recycled materials and low CO₂ emissions), high energy efficiency (including renewable energy and smart building technology), and socially inclusive usage concepts (such as affordable housing and flexible space layouts). 

Sustainable real estate investments: challenges and opportunities      

The real estate market is undergoing noticeable change: rising energy costs, stricter climate regulations, and the growing demand for sustainable investments are driving the need for new, creative solutions. This affects not only new construction—where sustainable options can be considered in terms of land use, materials, and energy—but also existing buildings, which are renovated and brought up to modern energy standards. 

• Renovation Needs and Energy Efficiency: 
  Many existing buildings no longer meet current energy efficiency standards. Energy renovations can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%, though they require higher upfront investment. Reliance offers an attractive solution here: private investors can invest comparatively small amounts in the construction- or renovation of sustainable buildings allowing the investors to gain a financial return while also having a positive environmental impact. 

• Stricter Climate Regulations and Compliance: 
  The EU Taxonomy and local national regulation, such as Germany’s Building Energy Act (GEG), require that properties meet specific environmental criteria. This regulation is ultimately expected to lead to an increasing investment need in the real estate sector, allowing investors to earn a financial return while being part of the transition and also earning a environmental return. 

• Growing Demand for Green Properties: 
  Studies show that tenants and buyers increasingly value sustainability features—such as lower CO₂ emissions, access to public transportation, and high energy efficiency. The European Property Market Report highlights that occupancy rates for green buildings in major cities are up to ten percentage points higher than for conventional properties. 
  (Sources: https://www.cbre.com/insights/books/european-real-estate-market-outlook-2024/sustainability, https://www.realestate.bnpparibas.de/sites/default/files/document/2024-03/green-building-investmentmarket-germany-2024.pdf)

• Financial Opportunities and Risks: 
  While sustainable buildings tend to have higher construction costs, they tend to offer long-term savings through lower energy and maintenance expenses. This can reduce the risk of rental vacancies and increases asset stability. At the same time, transaction volume and investor interest in the “Alternative Investments – Sustainable Real Estate” segment rose by 15% in 2024. This reflects a growing desire among investors to diversify beyond traditional equity and bond markets. 
  (Sources: https://www.unepfi.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PRB_Banking-on-Green-Buildings_final.pdf, https://www.realestate.bnpparibas.de/sites/default/files/document/2024-03/green-building-investmentmarket-germany-2024.pdf) 

• Reliance as your partner in real estate investing: 
  Through Reliance private investors can invest in curated investment opportunities with relatively small amounts. Our investment tickets start as low as 250 Euro. This lowers the barrier of entry and allows for efficient diversification with a relatively small portfolio. 

By expanding into real estate financing, we at Reliance believe we can offer our investors the opportunity to earn dual returns. On the one hand, investors have the opportunity to earn a financial return. On the other, investors have the opportunity to earn a sustainable return stemming from both social and environmental sustainabilit

A Forward-Looking Example from Helsinki, Finland: The VALO Hotel & Work 

The VALO Hotel & Work   in Helsinki, Finland is considered a forward-looking example of sustainable real estate development in the city. The facility demonstrates how urban spaces can be used more efficiently and sustainably through intelligent usage concepts.

In traditional hotels many spaces remain unused during the day. In traditional offices many spaces remain unused during the night. VALO takes an entirely new approach: The same space can be used as a hotel and an office flexibly depending on the time of day. In the day the rooms can be used as fully equipped offices. In the evening the same rooms become comfortable hotel rooms. The transformation happens in minutes while the guest is having breakfast or dinner. This principle of double use applies throughout the entire building, significantly optimizing its usage, and ultimately lowering not only scope one and two emissions but also scope three emissions.  

Flexible Use and Digital Management for Greater Efficiency   

The rooms are designed so that the switch from working space to a hotel room can be done within minutes. Ergonomic desks, digital infrastructure, and ample storage ensure a productive work environment during the day. In the evening, the room becomes a cozy retreat. Booking is handled digitally, allowing visitors to decide spontaneously whether they want to use the space for work, for an overnight stay or both. 

Sustainable Real Estate Investment with High Impact   

Reliance alumni VALO demonstrates how sustainable real estate can be both environmentally and economically profitable. Dual usage cuts operational costs and allows for energy and resource consumption optimization as less space is needed per person. 

This presents an attractive opportunity for investors: VALO proves that real estate projects can combine financial success with social and environmental responsibility. It serves as an example of sustainable real estate investments that are viable in the long term and address today’s challenges in the housing and labor markets. 

Future-Proof Cities Through Innovative Real Estate Concept 

VALO’s concept of dual use allows for shaping the future of urban development through real estate. VALO Hotel & Work connects hotel and working environments, reduces environmental impact, and creates flexible solutions for modern lifestyles. Concepts like VALO Hotel & Work are leading the change in making urban spaces more livable, adaptable, and sustainable – and show the potential of responsible investment in the field of real estate. 

Future-Oriented Logistics in Wiesau: The DFI Future Park Northern Bavaria 

Flexible use in the logistics center: adaptable spaces 

This logistics park in Northern Bavaria offers approximately 32,000 square meters of rental space, including production halls, storage units, and flexibly designed mezzanine levels. The logistics park is strategically locatied near the A93 highway, proxime to a freight transport hub, and within short distance of the Czech border. These aspects provide ideal conditions for efficient logistics operations. 

Investment security: targeted sales and leasing strategy 

A reputable institutional investor has already signed the purchase agreement for the logistics park. The leasing process has been outsourced to an experienced broker network. With construction still ongoing the project team is tailoring the spaces to meet the specific needs of future tenants. Completion is scheduled for 2026.  

Sustainable investment in the real estate sector: forward-looking logistics 

The DFI Zukunftspark  in upper Bavaria demonstrates how sustainable logistics properties combine financial- and environmental returns. As such this investment opportunity offers an attractive expected return for investors. 

Energy efficiency through digital retrofitting: metr in Berlin 

Berlin-based PropTech company metr provides a forward-looking example of sustainability in existing buildings. The company has developed an IoT platform that makes existing heating systems smarter and more efficient. In doing so, metr demonstrates how digital retrofitting can be a cost-effective alternative to comprehensive renovations – with a noticeable effect on energy consumption and emissions. 

Smart technology instead of expensive renovations 

Many heating systems in residential buildings still run on factory settings and are not optimally adapted to the needs of the residents. This is where metr comes in with its technology: the systems are equipped with sensors and a digital control system that automatically optimises operation. This means that energy is only used when it is really needed. 

Savings without compromising on comfort 

In several thousand buildings, metr has already proven that energy consumption can be reduced by up to 35 % . For residents, this means consistent comfort while reducing heating costs. For the real estate industry, this results in significant operating cost advantages – and a direct contribution to the decarbonisation of the building sector. 

Sustainable investment in digital solutions 

metr offers real estate companies a scalable way to make their portfolios more climate-friendly without having to invest in costly construction projects right away. For investors, the company provides an example of how technological innovation in the real estate sector can combine economic success with environmental impact. 

Sustainable real estate investments – a return for both the environment and investors 

Sustainable real estate investment opportunities can refer to both environmental and social returns while offering an attractive financial return to the investors. Ultimately allowing investors to actively contribute to sustainable development while earning financial returns. Real estate also provides investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolio into a new asset class with expected low correlation with other asset classes. 

Reliance offers investment opportunities in real estate including: 

• newly developed and integrate state-of-the-art, resource-efficient technologies from the outset, 
• renovation of real estate to upgrade existing structures  in an efficient and sustainable way, 
• expansion of real estate to make better use of existing infrastructure in a more sustainable and efficient manner. 

Such investment opportunities meet a clear return criteria both from a financial and sustainable point of view.  

Real estate is regarded an attractive asset class as it is regarded comparatively stable with low correlation to other asset classes, such as stocks and bonds, allowing for diversification.  

Like with all (financial) assets also real estate is associated with risk. The risk is strongly dependent on the investment vehicle used for investing in real estate. In real estate backed debt the main risk to consider is the inability to serve the debt and the collateral pledged against this debt. The risk is that the (real estate) operator is unable to service (repay) the debt. They have a known return and risk. 

Info: How Reliance evaluates investment opportunities 

We evaluate each investment opportunity through a clearly defined process to ensure an attractive risk-return relationship. Each investment opportunity evaluated in several stages: 

1. Initial Screening and Scoring: 
   A preliminary selection based on financial metrics, creditworthiness, and business model. 

2. In-Depth Analysis: 
   A detailed assessment of the legal framework and technical factors.  

3. ESG Evaluation: 
   A review to ensure both financial return potential and sustainable return potential is met (e.g., CO₂ footprint, social impact). 

4. Investment Committee: 
   The final decision is made by a panel of experts that consolidates all assessment results. 

Only about 5% of screened investment opportunities make it onto the Reliance platform. 
 
You can find more details about the evaluation process for investment opportunities here.: Investment Evaluation Process.   

Invest Sustainably Now: Your Chance to Shape the Future!  

Investment opportunities in sustainable real estate can offer attractive financial returns while enabling investors to play an active role in addressing global challenges. Join the sustainable investment community on Reliance today and discover attractive investment opportunities that combine financial- and sustainable return.  

Start today and invest in a future worth living! 
  
Here you can find our current investment opportunities.    

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions from Potential Investors in Sustainable Real Estate  

The post Sustainable real estate investments: real estate as a key to a livable future  first appeared on Reliance - Blog.

What is impact investing?

Impact investing should not be mistaken for charity. Impact investing is a financial strategy that aims to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. Unlike traditional investing, where the primary focus is on maximizing profits, impact investing intentionally targets investments that address global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and inequality.

Impact Europe declared in November 2024 that the European private impact investing market has reached $190bn. At Reliance we can see that the interest from private investors to choose impact investment opportunities is on a steady rise across all markets.

How you can do impact investing at invesdor

Reliance is one of the leading impact investment platforms in Europe, that offers opportunities for individuals and institutions to invest in impactful cases and benefit financially while doing good. By connecting investors with innovative companies that align with ESG principles and contribute to the SDGs, we facilitate investments that support sustainable development. Learn more about how we implement ESGs and SDGs.

What to look for on invesdor’s platform

• Look for the Impact Investment -label on the funding round’s presentation page.
• Look at the Impact listed on the project presentation page. We show you on the funding round’s presentation page which SDGs the company is contributing to.
• Choose funding rounds that align with your investment strategy and causes that are important to you, whether it be green energy, combating water scarcity or recycling waste materials to new purposes.

Impact funding rounds at invesdor

Reliance has had several impact funding rounds over the years. The ESGs and SDGs are important and are considered a central part of the due diligence process.

ESGs and SDGs are at the core of invesdor’s funding round selection process

invesdor’s impact investing framework is deeply rooted in ESG and SDG principles.

ESG Integration: All funding rounds listed on invesdor undergo evaluation based on environmental, social, and governance criteria. This ensures that investments align with sustainable practices and ethical governance standards.

• Environmental: Projects are assessed for their impact on reducing emissions, promoting clean energy, and conserving resources.
• Social: Investments target initiatives that promote community well-being, equality, and social justice.
• Governance: Companies are evaluated for transparency, accountability, and ethical management.

SDG Alignment: Reliance aligns its investment opportunities with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. For example:

• Windpark Friesland contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
• E-Heat supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• RiverRecycle advances SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

What investors need to know

Impact investing offers a powerful way to align financial goals with a desire to make a difference in the world. At invesdor, investors can access a range of impactful opportunities, from clean energy projects to innovative waste management solutions. With a focus on ESG criteria and SDG alignment, Reliance provides a transparent and purpose-driven platform for sustainable investments.

By choosing impact investing, you’re not only pursuing financial returns but also contributing to a better future for our planet – this is what we call double return.

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A wind farm somewhere in Northern Europe. The turbines spin tirelessly in the strong Pentecost wind. A brilliant blue sky stretches above, 25°C, holiday calm. While much of Europe soaks up the sun, wind and solar installations generate more electricity than is consumed — it’s one of the lowest-consumption days of the year. 

The wind continues to blow, but the wind farm is disconnected from the grid. The turbines stand still, despite the strong breeze. The grid is overloaded, no buyer, no suitable power storage. Electricity that was produced CO₂-free is wasted. What sounds like an exception is everyday reality in a transforming energy system. Battery storage is the answer to this gap, technically advanced, politically supported, economically attractive.

Pure solar projects often no longer pay off because the compensation for fed-in electricity keeps decreasing. That’s why many project developers are now focusing on solar parks with battery storage – both at the same location. This allows them to store the electricity and sell it when prices are higher. It increases revenue and makes the investment more attractive

Investing in Battery Storage Means Thinking in Decades — Not Quarters

The battery storage market is booming. The projected market volume for battery storage in Europe is growing rapidly: In 2024 alone, 11.9 GW of storage capacity was installed, bringing the total capacity to 89 GW. The reason: no storage, no stable grid — and no real energy transition. Those who invest in storage projects today are backing a vision for a low-emission energy landscape, strong return potential, and societal relevance. An investment that makes both economic and ecological sense.

Battery Storage: Key Enablers of Tomorrow’s Energy System

Battery storage systems will play a dual role in the energy system of the future: acting as short-term buffers and strategic grid stabilizers. Across Europe, large-scale battery storage is crucial for building flexible, stable power grids. In 2024, for the first time, more front-of-the-meter (FTM) capacity was installed than behind-the-meter (BTM) in Europe, a trend that is expected to continue.
(Source: https://www.infolink-group.com/energy-article/energy-storage-topic-global-energy-storage-market-review-outlook?utm_source=chatgpt.com)  
 
A large-scale battery is essentially a giant power bank. It takes in electricity from renewable sources, stores it temporarily, and releases it back into the grid in a controlled manner. Especially during grid congestion and increased PV and wind input, these systems are indispensable. 

According to Energiezukunft.eu grid operators and industrial firms are showing a growing interest in large-scale storage systems. They offer planning security, resilience, and attractive economic prospects. 

Another driver: battery storage systems can be installed precisely where grid bottlenecks occur. They are a flexible tool for stabilizing the grid—an aspect highlighted in “Der Spiegel” under the term „Batterie-Tsunami“ . The upcoming wave of storage projects has the potential to fundamentally reshape the energy system. 

Local Storage Projects: Opportunities for Communities and Landowners

As the expansion of renewable energy progresses, so too does the need for high-performance, scalable battery systems. These are of interest not only to utilities and grid operators, but also to industrial firms, project developers, municipalities, and private landowners. Those who provide suitable land can benefit economically through lease models or profit-sharing, while actively supporting the local energy transition. 

This is where sustainable investment projects come in—financing the construction and operation of such storage systems. 

Installed and expected total capacity of large-scale battery storage systems in Europe. Initial value at the end of 2023: 35.9 GWh; forecasts according to the European Market Outlook for Battery Storage 2024-2028 (SolarPower Europe, medium scenario) show an increase to around 260 GWh by the end of 2028. Data status: April 2025. 

(Source: SolarPower Europe, European Market Outlook for Battery Storage 2024-2028 & Pressemitteilung vom 11.06.2024 (Medium-Szenario).

Infobox: What Do European Studies Say About Battery Storage?

European studies like the European Market Monitor on Energy Storage (EMMES 9.0) by EASE and LCP Delta and the ACER Monitoring Report on Electricity Infrastructure analyze the political and structural framework for meaningful battery storage expansion in Europe. (Source: Energy-Storage.News)  

According to EMMES 9.0, 11.9 GW of new storage capacity was installed in Europe in 2024, bringing the total to 89 GW. The report forecasts continued strong growth through 2030, driven by technological progress, policy support, and other key factors.
(Source: EASE Storage) 

Key Takeaways: 

• Battery storage is essential for flexible use of renewable electricity and grid relief — especially during weather-driven fluctuations. 
  
• Grid-supportive operation is key: storage helps only when it charges or discharges during grid bottlenecks — not all storage activity is automatically helpful. 
  
• Today’s market is not enough: purely market-driven expansion does not align with specific regional grid needs. 
   
• New EU regulation brings momentum: Regulation 2024/1747 obliges member states to set binding flexibility targets—including storage strategies—alongside renewable energy targets. 
  
•   European market analyses recommend clear targets for storage: to reduce grid bottlenecks long-term, legally binding expansion targets should be set for power storage, similar to renewables. 

(Studies:  European Market Monitor on Energy Storage (EMMES 9.0), EASE & LCP Delta, März 2025, ACER Monitoringbericht zur Strominfrastruktur, Dezember 2024) 

How Sustainable Are Battery Storage Systems Really?

The seemingly simple logic behind battery storage deserves a closer look. True sustainability is not achieved merely by storing energy. The ecological impact of battery storage depends heavily on how the systems are produced, operated, and recycled. 

• Raw Materials: Most modern systems use lithium-ion technology. The extraction of lithium, cobalt, and nickel raises concerns, but European manufacturers increasingly rely on certified supply chains, European raw material partnerships, circular economy practices, and second-life usage—supported by initiatives like the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA). 

• Lifespan: Battery storage systems are more durable than commonly assumed. Depending on the system, they last 10 to 20 years and are often reused as second-life systems afterward. 

• Recycling: Research into sustainable recycling methods is advancing across Europe. Specialized plants in countries like France, Belgium, and Germany can recover up to 90% of materials—using hydrometallurgical processes and automated disassembly. 

A recent study by BayWa r.e. confirms that large-scale battery storage will be key in accelerating the energy transition in Europe. These systems reduce CO₂ emissions and costs, while increasingly stabilizing the grid during volatile power generation—crucial for integrating more renewables reliably into the grid. (Source: BayWa r.e. Studie zu Batteriespeichern)

Investing in Large-Scale Battery Storage: What Do Energy Market Trends Mean for Investors?

Studies and market trends show that battery storage is evolving from a technical component into a strategic asset class. Politically supported, regulatory backed, and increasingly profitable. 

 According to Energiezukunft and European market analyses, storage solutions are increasingly being integrated into scalable business models – for example, in combination with digital control systems and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), which are long-term electricity supply contracts between generators and buyers. ( Source: energiezukunft.eu) 

This trend is also supported at the European level: The European Commission plans to relax state aid rules to stimulate investment in clean technologies, including energy storage. (https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/eu-set-loosen-state-aid-rules-spur-green-projects-draft-shows-2025-02-18) Additionally, targeted measures are proposed to strengthen and de-risk Power Purchase Agreements across the EU. (https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/eu-commission-propose-help-de-risk-power-deals-document-shows-2025-02-18)
Concrete support examples, such as the $1.2 billion Polish aid program for energy storage investments, demonstrate the EU’s active commitment to expanding energy storage solutions. (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/it/ip_24_4985)  

For investors, this means: investing in battery storage today offers access to a clearly defined growth market with high impact. This is not about risky startups, but about stable, well-structured business models. Investments are made in real infrastructure — facilities that are built or under construction. Often, there are long-term power purchase agreements, and sometimes energy is sold flexibly via smart algorithms that respond to market signals to maximize returns. 

The study shows that battery storage is gaining importance in both energy policy and the economy. Targeted expansion is technically sensible and economically relevant— enhancing long-term investment conditions and improving predictability and security. 

Investing in battery storage means supporting the energy transition and participating in a rapidly growing and regulation-backed future market. 

Project Financing Explained: How Battery Storage Investment Works

The battery storage projects offered via Reliance are structured as project financing models.  This means you’re not investing in an entire company, but in a dedicated legal entity created specifically to build and operate the storage project. 

Your capital goes directly into constructing the facility—clear, purpose-driven, and transparent. 

• Attractive Market Environment: Market storage systems have the potential—depending on the business model—to generate solid returns. 

• Diversified Business Models Possible: Storage operators may have secured revenue contracts or agreements with optimization firms that sell storage capacity and electricity across different markets for optimized return. 

• Collateral Not Always Needed: Unlike traditional corporate financing, BESS project financing is based on a specific asset, such as a battery storage unit. Future revenues can be more accurately projected than those of a full company. Repayment is made exclusively from the project’s income, with a sufficient buffer to reduce risks from market fluctuations. 

• Term & Yield: Project durations can be short, medium, or long term (1–10 years), offering fixed interest returns with a balanced risk-reward profile. 

This model suits investors looking to diversify their portfolio with fixed-income, sustainable investments that have a direct impact on a specific project.

Sustainable Investment for the Energy Transition

Investing in battery storage means actively supporting the energy transition. But the technology is evolving fast. How reliable are individual projects? Which storage solutions will prevail? And how can investors tell whether a project is truly viable? 

Not all storage projects are equal: differences lie in the technology used, provider structure, contract terms, and risk mitigation. That’s why Reliance emphasizes careful selection. Only projects with proven technology, reliable partners, and clear revenue models are offered for financing. 

Transparency, security, and sustainability are core criteria in the selection process. 

Battery Storage as a stable, sensible Investment

The expansion of renewable energy requires powerful storage. And these storage systems need capital. Investing in a battery storage project combines ecological impact with sound economics. 

Learn more about our current projects and invest in the companies shaping tomorrow’s energy landscape—concretely and sustainably. 

 
 
Check out our investment projects HERE .

The post Large-Scale Battery Storage as a Key Technology of the Energy Transition – And How Sustainable Storage Projects Become Attractive Investments first appeared on Reliance - Blog.

What is B Corp?

B Corp stands for ‘Benefit Corporation’ and is a certification that allows you, as a company, to show that you actually do business in a socially responsible way. Oneplanetcrowd obtained its B Corp certification for the first time in March 2016. Obtaining the prestigious certificate is not easy and an intensive process precedes the award. Indeed, in addition to adding financial value, B Corp companies must make a demonstrable impact on people and the environment. The B Corp certificate shows that a company is not just pretending to be sustainable and is not greenwashing. At a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly important, this is a valuable, reliable certification. 

In March, during B Corp month, many certified B Corporations join forces to increase visibility and awareness around corporate social responsibility. So that in the future, more and more companies follow suit to reduce their footprint and take people and the environment into consideration.

How does a company become B Corp certified?  

Companies get B Corp certification only when they meet the high standards set for their social and environmental impact and must account for it. This includes looking at community, customer, environmental, governance and employee impacts. To become a B Corp, an organization must go through an Impact certification process. The questions relate to sustainability in its broadest sense. In the process, a company must score at least 80 out of a possible 200 points. And that’s not easy. To illustrate, worldwide 55% of companies that complete the questionnaire do not receive the certification.  

Once a company is B Corp certified, they are required to communicate transparently about their score. A B Corp certificate must be renewed annually: thus, companies can lose the certificate even if they no longer meet the strict conditions. In this way, the seal retains its value and authority.  

Which companies are B Corp certified?  

The B Corp certificate has been awarded by the American non-profit organization B Lab since 2006. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the first companies in Europe received their certification in 2015. This number has since grown to about 1,100 companies in Europe, of which more than 200 are based in the Netherlands. Worldwide, there are more than 6,000 B Corp companies in 80 countries.  

Reliance Netherlands (formerly Oneplanetcrowd) has been B Corp certified since 2016. In February 2025, the entire Reliance Group received the certification. Together with our investors, we have provided funding to several leading B Corps in recent years, including Kipster, Fairphone, Yoni, Moyee, Snappcar, Mud Jeans, and Seepje. Other well-known B Corps include Tony’s Chocolonely, Triodos Bank, WeTransfer, and Dopper.

Sustainable soap producer Seepje ‘challenged’ by B Corp certification

Reliance helped sustainable soap product Seepje raise their funding in 2014 and 2017. Back then, they were already working hard to make the world a little cleaner and more beautiful by making laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaner and hand soap from soap husks from India and Nepal. Not only should the packaging and the product be sustainable, but also the people in India and Nepal should benefit.  

Jasper Gabriëlse, co-founder of Seepje, spoke to the editors of The Entrepreneur about their journey to achieving B Corp certification. “We see B Corp as a comprehensive assessment of our impact on all fronts. During the first assessment we scored 84.2 points, but we make it a sport to reach 100. The great thing about B Corp is that it inspires and challenges us to make the company even better,” said Jasper. 

The future as B Corp 

We are looking forward to a future in which we will continue to encourage our crowd to invest in strong B Corp brands. If you want to stay informed about our B Corp opportunities, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on the socials.

The post Impact & Investing: Reliance Group receives B Corp certification first appeared on Reliance - Blog.

Reliance brings together innovative entrepreneurs and forward-thinking investors to accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy. Citizens are also regularly successfully involved in this transition where they can benefit from the returns of local projects. Windpark Fryslân’s starting point was to allow local residents to participate in the revenues from the wind farm in their own neighborhood. Together with invesdor’s investment platform, Windpark Fryslân raised the overwhelming amount of $27 million from 2609 investors in a period of six weeks. This instantly made this project Europe’s largest crowdfunding initiative for renewable energy.

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‘That the world needs change is beyond question,’ says Reliance CEO Christopher Grätz. He also emphasizes, ‘But it won’t change on its own – someone has to take action. And, above all, someone has to finance it.’ As a pan-European impact investing platform that emerged from the merger of several platforms from different European countries, Reliance has focused on one key question: If the most significant progress in the world is made by adventurous, entrepreneurial individuals who have the courage to think differently, what if we gave this opportunity to everyone? The opportunity to decide what kind of future they want to pursue? The chance to choose which companies can bring about this change? And the chance to participate in financing it all?

At invesdor, we believe that investors can shape their future by investing in companies they believe in. This forms the basis of our call to investors: Let’s finance the future together. People have long decided – as shown by societal trends in recent years – what this future should look like: more sustainable, more equal, and more responsible. ‘Sustainability is a huge market, with corresponding massive interest and investment capital,’ says Christopher Grätz.

With the merger with Oneplanetcrowd, Reliance has positioned itself as a leading European impact investing platform: Oneplanetcrowd has long pursued a targeted impact strategy, focusing exclusively on projects that have a clear impact on one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the meantime, the entire Reliance Group has set the goal of presenting investors exclusively with projects that contribute to a sustainable world of the future. To achieve this, we have formulated two essential sustainability guidelines:

1. All Reliance issuers and their projects undergo an ESG risk assessment before being listed.
2. For all projects, the impact on at least one of the mentioned SDGs is determined through measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The ‘Oneplanet’ label highlights outstanding projects.

We take these guidelines very seriously – they have the same priority for us as credit risk policy does for loans and investment policy does for equity projects.

ESG: Responsible in Three Areas

ESG is one of the aspects at the core of invesdor’s guidelines for sustainable investing. The abbreviation stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance and refers to the three central factors for measuring the sustainability of an investment. Environmental criteria (represented by the ‘E’ in ESG) address how a company contributes to solving environmental issues (e.g., waste, pollution, greenhouse gases, deforestation, and climate change). Social criteria (the ‘S’ in ESG) relate to the treatment of employees and customers by the respective company (e.g., human capital management, diversity and equal opportunity, working conditions, health, and safety as well as misleading sales). Governance criteria (the ‘G’) examine how a company is managed (e.g., executive compensation, tax practices and strategy, corruption and bribery, as well as diversity and structure).

The growing importance of ESG in finance is based on the simple idea that companies deliver high returns when they create value for their stakeholders – employees, customers, suppliers, and society as a whole – and not just for the company’s owners.

How Reliance Assesses ESG Risks

The ESG analysis can be complex. When considering ESG factors, it is not only about evaluating the products and services of a company but also its behavior, its supply chain, and other aspects related to its corporate governance. As part of our ESG risk assessment, we investigate whether the company has negative impacts on sustainability factors such as environmental, social, and labor issues, respect for human rights, and the fight against corruption and bribery. In addition, we assess whether a company is exposed to serious sustainability risks, meaning an ecological, social, or governance event or condition that could significantly impair the value of the investment if it were to occur.

The goal of the ESG risk analysis is to identify both risks and opportunities and thus uncover potential areas for improvement. At invesdor, we firmly believe that a more forward-looking and dynamic approach is needed when evaluating ESG risks and opportunities. Furthermore, an ideal analysis should not only consider the latest ESG data but also the company’s strategy, overall impact, and evidence that it adheres to its promises and standards. It should also include a forward-looking perspective, so that investment decisions are not based solely on historical data.

The ESG risk assessment is a free analysis that Reliance conducts for every new project that is to be placed on the platform. The goal of this assessment is to answer the following two questions:

1. Does the project harm the environment, society, and/or stakeholders?
2. Could the value of this project be jeopardized by ESG developments?

If the answer to either of these questions is ‘Yes,’ the project will not be included on the Reliance platform.

The table below contains some examples for each of the ESG criteria:

The 6 environmental objectives of the EU, as defined in the Taxonomy Regulation, are:

1. Mitigation of climate change,
2. Adaptation to climate change,
3. Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources,
4. Transition to a circular economy,
5. Prevention and reduction of environmental pollution, and
6. Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Impact: Doing Good – and How Reliance Measures It

The potential of companies or projects in terms of impact investing is also part of invesdor’s sustainability guidelines. Impact investing means investing in something that measurably contributes to one of the goals for sustainable development, the aforementioned SDGs. It is a form of sustainable investing that goes beyond simply excluding companies or countries. With impact investing, investors achieve not only financial returns but also a positive sustainable impact. ‘Reliance decided to use the SDGs as a framework for determining intended and realized impacts,’ explains Christopher Grätz. The SDGs serve as a blueprint for addressing the biggest societal challenges of our time, such as combating diseases (SDG 3) and renewable energy (SDG 7). Together, the SDGs form a roadmap for achieving peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and in the future. ‘Reliance only awards the impact label to companies in the financial sector that make a positive contribution to at least one of the SDGs,’ says the Reliance CEO.

Where Reliance Draws Red Lines in Terms of ESG and SDGs

To emphasize that Reliance does not compromise in certain areas, we have identified specific services, products, and sectors that are under no circumstances acceptable for the platform and thus cross the red lines. As such no-gos, Reliance excludes projects from companies that:

• Are involved in the production, marketing, or sale of tobacco and cannabis products for recreational use.
• Are involved in the gambling industry or provide services in this sector.
• Manufacture weapons, specifically designed components for weapons, or provide weapons-related services. Companies involved in the production or sale of dual-use technologies. Dual-use technologies are subject to strict scrutiny, as their products must not be intended to inflict physical harm on humans or animals or contribute to such harm.
• Have a high risk of using conflict minerals or those who mine and supply such minerals without making efforts to source conflict-free minerals. Reliance also requires this from its suppliers.
• Operate in the sex industry.
• Conduct animal testing that is only acceptable for legitimate medical purposes, and Reliance does not place companies that do not conduct carefully controlled animal testing based on the principles of ‘reduce, refine, replace.’
• Use animal products or ingredients and do not have animal welfare policies and practices that go beyond legal requirements. We prefer companies that have clear goals for improving animal welfare and actively advocate for better animal welfare standards in the industry, as well as companies that offer plant-based alternatives for the production or use of animal products.
• Do not contribute to sustainable fishing and aquaculture practices.
• Are involved in the production and sale of fur and specialty leather for which animals are bred.
• Cause extensive or repeated damage to biodiversity or are in businesses with a high potential risk of causing such damage without managing these risks.
• Show no awareness of deforestation, do not practice sustainable forestry, and do not source and use responsible forestry products.
• Are unaware of climate change and do not make credible efforts to eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions and find alternatives to non-reducible emissions as quickly as possible.
• Are unaware of the dangers of using hazardous substances and do not contribute to the introduction, development, and promotion of less harmful alternatives.
• Are involved in accounting irregularities or irregularities in compensation that raise significant ethical and moral concerns.
• Offer excessive compensation and remuneration packages for directors that do not comply with local or international standards for best practices.
• Are involved in irregularities related to corruption, bribery, or money laundering.
• Engage in tax avoidance schemes that raise serious ethical or moral concerns and clearly violate local or international standards.
• Are involved in violations of laws and regulations, codes of conduct, or conventions, unless there are indications of structural change within the company that lead to fundamental behavioral changes.

We believe that with the Reliance investment guidelines, we can contribute to perhaps the most pressing issue of our time: the transition to a more sustainable, equitable, and responsible economy.

The post Sustainability: How Reliance Implements ESG, SDGs, and More first appeared on Reliance - Blog.

As the leading European impact investing platform, we at Reliance see this cooperation as an excellent opportunity to support sustainable business models on their growth journey beyond financing.  

Christopher Grätz, CEO of the Reliance Group, has been appointed to the Advisory Board of GICA. Grätz’s commitment reflects our strong commitment to this partnership as a company. In his statement, Grätz underlined the importance of the collaboration and emphasised: “I am very grateful that we can bring all our expertise as Reliance Group to the network to help ensure that funds are invested in the most sustainable growth companies, SMEs and renewable energy projects!” Reliance is active with over 180,000 users and more than 950 projects across Europe with a focus on DACH, Nordics and BENELUX. 

The cooperation between Reliance and GICA gives sustainable start-ups funded through invesdor’s platform easy access to GICA’s extensive network. This provides the start-ups the opportunity to discover synergies and maximise their growth potential. Through invesdor’s support, these companies not only receive funding, but also the opportunity to connect in a global network and work together towards a more sustainable future. 

At the same time, this gives us at Reliance the opportunity to continue to offer exciting, sustainable companies whose growth can be fuelled by our investor base. By integrating into GICA’s extensive network, our investors can benefit from exclusive investment opportunities and actively participate in the promotion of companies that have a positive social and environmental impact. 

The partnership thus not only opens up new financing perspectives for sustainable start-ups, but also offers our investors the chance to become part of a global network that works together on future-oriented projects. We are convinced that this synergy of capital, knowledge and network creates the basis for successful investments and helps to drive sustainable development in various sectors. Reliance is looking forward to working with GICA and jointly paving the way for innovative and impactful investment opportunities. 

The post Reliance launches partnership with GICA first appeared on Reliance - Blog.

“I look back on a great time, full of conquered challenges and memorable milestones. We have funded hundreds of SMEs, scale-ups and renewable energy projects and gained the trust of over 30,000 investors. From $10,000 euro funding per project in 2012, we went to over $25,000,000 recently for Windpark Fryslân. Through the successful merger with invesdor, we are now Europe’s largest impact investment platform with over 180,000 investors. And as icing on the cake, just before my retirement, we received the ‘Gouden Stier Award’ for best crowdfunding platform. It is with pride and confidence that I hand over the baton to my successor Ellen Hensbergen.”

– Maarten De Jong, former Managing Director BeNeLux at invesdor

Meet Ellen Hensbergen 

Ellen Hensbergen is eager to start as Managing Director at Reliance and is determined to contribute to its (continued) growth. We speak to Ellen about her background, ambitions and vision for the future of Reliance and making financial and social impact.  

Welcome to the club. We’d love to get to know you better. Can you tell us who Ellen Hensbergen is?  

Sure! I was born in Zeeland on March 8, 1979. Shortly after I moved to Geleen with my parents and older sister. After living in southern Limburg for 4 years, we moved with the family to reformed Barneveld. There they still prayed at school in the morning and read from the Bible at the end of the day. That was an instructive period in which I learned to adapt more easily. I went to study international relations in Groningen, the city where my sister was also studying. I did my internship at the Beijing embassy. There I discovered that traveling made me very happy, but also that the hierarchy and negotiation games made me less happy. On the advice of my sister, I went on a management traineeship at ABN-AMRO. There I noticed for the first time that I really felt at home and that the financial world gave me a lot of energy. When I was declared redundant, I went on a one-year trip around the world with my husband. Once back home, I wanted to get back into financial services. Eventually I became a director at Munt Mortgages. There they believed in transparency, honesty and a quality product and partly because of that I had a huge click with the company and colleagues. What else should you know about me? You can wake me up at night for herring! Without onions, though!  

You have a professional background in the financial world, in the field of mortgages and at various banks. What experience can you bring to the position as Managing Director at invesdor?  

I understand the basics of investing very well because of my background. I have a lot of expertise in customer service, in growing businesses, and I understand how the financial world works. I also understand the relationship with regulators due to my former role within Munt Mortgages. The other side of the story is that I really like challenges and learning new things. A number of opportunities have come along where I was offered a role in the mortgage world, but I don’t want to just “put on another coat” and keep doing the same thing right now. I’m looking forward to learning.  

What exactly does your role as Managing Director entail in terms of responsibilities and tasks? 

Reliance is now an implemented platform. That means it is especially important to start growing. I very much believe in the balance between entrepreneurs and providing value to investors. Ideally, we do that better than other platforms. In process, customer service, experience, transparency, engagement with entrepreneurs and the platform, I believe I can add a lot, but also to take Reliance further into Europe. I want to do this together with the team, which has expertise in areas less known to me. I would like to think from a team effort perspective and it is up to me to set the course in this.  

You are involved with Epic Angels, a network of women executives and entrepreneurs. How important are women in leadership roles to you?  

Epic Angels focuses only on the APAC region, not Europe. All the investors are women. There is still a gap in access to finances for women. I firmly believe that diversity makes your business better. I am therefore happy to contribute to bridging the global gap that still exists in this area.  

Reliance focuses primarily on sustainability and social impact. How do these themes resonate in your own life?  

I have two daughters and I am very conscious of their future. We are far from being the greenest family in the Netherlands, but we do try to make a difference by eating less meat and riding our bikes more. Even when we fly, we try to skip flying the year after for our holidays. We want to feel that we are contributing and definitely have the belief that it starts with ourselves. Also through the position I will now hold within invesdor, I feel that I can start to contribute on a larger scale. Not only idealists can improve the world, certainly companies and people with capital can too!  

What will be the biggest challenge for you, as far as you can estimate right now?  

If we really want to make an impact, we need to grow and become even more visible and findable in Europe. The goal is to become the largest pan-European impact investment platform and be top of mind with every investors and entrepreneurs. I see having projects live continuously as an interesting opportunity. 

How do you invest your own money?  

Through Epic Angels, I recently invested in a scale-up in Bangladesh. A lot of people were dying there because they were given a drug that didn’t work or were given a working drug too late. They developed an app in collaboration with general practitioners and hospitals and set up a very large pharmacy that way, so everyone can now get their medicine within 2 hours. These are, of course, problems of a very different order than what we face in Europe. It’s very cool to be able to contribute to such an impactful project by investing in it.  

What does Ellen do when she’s not working?  

The whole family loves music! My husband plays the guitar, my daughter plays the drums and my other daughter plays the piano. I recently started taking singing lessons. We love making music together, as well as going to concerts or festivals. The most important thing for me is to make memories together. That can be with friends, neighbors, family or colleagues. I invest in doing fun things together. 

The post A warm welcome to Ellen Hensbergen: Managing Director BeNeLux first appeared on Reliance - Blog.

What is sustainable investing?

Sustainable investing describes a form of investment in which values such as environmental protection or social concerns are primary considerations in addition to economic interests. The sustainability of the financial products and the form of investment do not have a negative impact on the return. Instead, the two pillars form a positive symbiosis in many respects.

Projects or companies often benefit from a sustainable and future-oriented approach, which in turn has a positive impact on investments. When it comes to products, prospective buyers today increasingly attach importance to the environmental aspects directly associated with the product. The same applies to social factors such as local working conditions or the generation of production materials.

Those who invest sustainably today have a clear advantage. Companies with a sustainable focus are experiencing high demand and are showing exponential growth.

Today, investors can invest in sustainable projects in a variety of ways. In addition to sustainably designed funds or ETFs, crowdfunding platforms offer a range of interesting and sustainable investment projects.

Thanks to crowdinvesting, it is now much easier to realise sustainable projects around the globe. A wide variety of projects exist around the world, for example, for a clean water supply or other environmental protection projects – as well as regional projects for the generation of environmentally friendly energy. These often involve crowdinvesting in solar parks or financing wind turbines for sustainable energy supply.

However, sustainability is also becoming increasingly crucial for projects in other sectors. In addition to purely economic interests, the focus here is increasingly on environmental protection, ethical responsibility and social action. Consequently, criteria are often summarised under ESG (Environment, Social, Governance investment criteria).

Why are cross-border investments in sustainable projects so important?

Today, as never before, investors are interested in how an investment works and what influence the money invested has. Anyone who invests money today wants to make an investment in their own interests and have their individual concerns represented at all times. With crowdinvesting, money can be invested sustainably in order to support specific projects and plans. 

The advantage for investors is twofold. On the one hand, personal values relevant to sustainability are represented in the form of financial investment. At the same time, crowdfunding platforms also enable an interesting return in the sense of the investor. Low minimum investment amounts enable investors to diversify their investments and thus contribute to spreading the risk within the crowdfunding investment over various projects.

Today, crowdfunding plays an increasingly important role in sustainable investments worldwide because sustainable projects become feasible in the first place thanks to crowdinvesting. Finding financiers for sustainable and forward-looking projects is often challenging. Traditional banks are not always familiar with the matter. They often refuse to finance sustainable projects despite a solid business plan. On crowdfunding platforms, on the other hand, the investors decide in which area they want to invest money sustainably. In addition, for some time now, new opportunities have arisen in the field of crowdfunding to invest sustainably throughout the EU, even outside national borders. This is made possible by the ECSP Regulation.

The importance of the ECSP licence in cross-border and sustainable investments

The regulation, which came into force in November 2021, simplifies cross-border crowdinvesting within the EU. Thus, the ECSP Regulation enables crowdinvesting according to uniform rules across national borders. But before that, legislators had spent more than two years deliberating on the European Crowdfunding Service Provider Regulation. Existing rules were harmonised, and regulations simplified. At the same time, the protection of investors was increased and harmonised.

For crowdfunding platforms to take advantage of the ECSP regulation, a one-time licence must first be applied for and granted. The respective national supervisory authority is responsible. We at Reliance applied for the required licence early on and were pleased to be the first crowdfunding platform in the German-speaking region to receive positive approval. The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) granted the ECSP licence as the responsible country supervisor. The license is linked to far-reaching conditions and requirements.

Crowdfunding platforms and finance-seeking companies must meet certain criteria and are obliged to disclose a great deal of information. Corporate governance and risk management of crowdfunding platforms will also be regulated. National supervisory authorities will be given extensive powers, for example, to monitor crowdfunding platforms’ functions and crowdinvestment processes. On the other hand, investors will be pleased about increased investor protection and will be able to make sustainable investments even more securely across countries in the future.

Advantages of cross-border ECSP-regulated and sustainable investing

The ECSP Regulation offers significant advantages for crowdfunding platforms, companies and investors alike:

• Private investors can invest sustainably throughout the EU and support interesting projects.
• At the same time, the choice of different projects to invest in increases.
• The regulation increases the reach for companies seeking capital in the EU.
• This means that there are more opportunities to use crowdinvesting to raise capital in a meaningful way.

At the same time, there is a uniform legal framework with standard, cross-border requirements for all participants. The ECSP Regulation applies to issues of up to EUR 5 million in 12 months per company.

NEW: The KIIS – transparency and consistent information for investors

The ECSP Regulation provides another special feature for additional transparency in crowdfunding: the company must issue a separate information sheet for each financing offered on crowdfunding platforms. The Key Investment Information Sheet (KIIS) contains all important information. This includes information about the company as well as about the specific crowdfunding project itself. In addition, the information sheet must be available in the official language of the Member State in which the financial product is marketed.

Sustainable investing on crowdfunding platforms – a conclusion

Investing money in sustainable investments with a good return does not have to be contradictory. On the contrary, crowdfunding platforms allow you to invest funds sustainably in a growing market in times of the energy transition and increasing environmental awareness and to advance meaningful projects together. 

The EU regulation on crowdfunding platforms opens up additional opportunities for you: You can now invest sustainably throughout the EU and thus take advantage of a wide range of investment opportunities. At the same time, a uniform legal framework protects you as an investor across borders. It allows you to receive the information you need to make your decision, including risks.

The post Tap into new potential through sustainable investing on crowdfunding platforms first appeared on Reliance - Blog.