€144.1M+Total Funded
Target returns up to 16.5% per year on Maclear
Beyond stocks and bonds lies a growing world of alternative assets worth understanding
What is alternative investment, really
Alternative investment by the numbers
More EU investors are moving capital into alternatives like business loans and real estate projects, looking for returns that traditional markets may not offer right now
€13.1M+Interest paid
Minimum investment starts at just €50
2.1K+Funded projects
Interest paid monthly on business loan investments
52.4K+Registered investors
Collateralized loans with internal LTV assessment
€2.0M +Provision Fund
Diversify across borrowers, sectors, and geographies
Investors receiving payouts
Investors who received at least one interest payment each month.
What investors say about alternatives on Maclear
How alternative investment actually works
The mechanics are simpler than most people expect once you see the steps
Pick an asset class outside traditional markets
Alternative investments include business loans, real estate projects, private equity, and other assets that sit outside public stock and bond markets. They behave differently from listed securities.
Alternatives cover everything from SME loans to infrastructure projects, each with its own risk and return profile. Start with the alternative investments definition if the term is new.
Understand the risk before you commit capital
Every alternative carries specific risks: borrower default, limited liquidity, no deposit insurance. Capital is at risk, and losses including total loss are possible.
No alternative investment is without risk. Assess each opportunity individually and never invest money you cannot afford to lose.
Choose a platform that matches your goals
Crowdlending platforms like Maclear connect investors with vetted business borrowers. Investment crowdfunding lets many lenders fund one business together. You buy assigned loan claims rather than lending directly, and the platform handles screening and administration.
Maclear grades borrowers AAA to D through internal risk assessment. This score isn't investment advice and doesn't guarantee repayment.
Invest from €50 into specific loan opportunities
With a low entry point, you can spread your capital across multiple loans, borrowers, and even countries. Diversification helps manage risk but does not eliminate it.
Starting at €50 per loan lets you build a diversified portfolio across SME borrowers in different sectors and EU markets.
Earn interest monthly, principal returned at term end
On Maclear, interest is paid monthly while principal is repaid at the end of the loan term. This gives you regular cash flow, though payments depend on borrower performance.
Monthly interest offers periodic income but isn't guaranteed. Default risk may cause delayed or completely lost payments.
Monitor, reinvest, or withdraw as terms allow
Track your portfolio and decide whether to reinvest returned capital into new loans or withdraw. Liquidity can be limited since loans have fixed terms and there is no instant exit.
Alternatives are typically less liquid than public stocks. Plan your timeline accordingly and keep enough cash outside the platform.
Why consider alternatives in your portfolio
Traditional markets alone can leave portfolio gaps. Alternatives provide different returns but require thorough risk assessment.
0% Diversification beyond correlated stock and bond markets
No fees for deposits, investments or withdrawals.
28,003 +Potential for higher returns with higher risk exposure
A growing community built around transparent investing.
€1,712 +Access to real economy lending and tangible collateral
Average amount invested by active users each month.
€139 +Monthly interest income from business loan investments
Average interest paid to active investors each month.
Featured alternative investment opportunities on Maclear
Browse verified business loans secured by collateral, rated AAA to D, targeting returns up to 16.5% annually. Capital at risk.
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Estimated returns based on target rate of 14.6% APY. Actual returns may vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How Maclear manages risk in alternative investments
Multiple layers of assessment and structure help manage but never eliminate risk
Internal borrower screening and verification process
Every borrower goes through internal checks before a loan is listed. Screening reduces risk but cannot prevent all defaults.
AAA to D internal credit scoring
Loans are graded on an internal scale. Higher ratings reflect lower assessed risk, but ratings are not guarantees of repayment.
Collateral backing on every listed project
Each project has collateral. Lower LTV provides better protection during borrower difficulties, while higher LTV involves greater risk and interest rates.
Provision fund for temporary payment delays
The provision fund is a shared reserve that may offset some delays or losses but doesn't guarantee full repayment.
Assignment structure, not direct lending
Investors buy assigned loan claims. Borrowers sign loan agreements with the platform, and the claims are then assigned to investors.
Diversification across borrowers and regions
Spread capital across multiple loans in different sectors and countries. Diversification manages concentration risk but cannot eliminate losses.
The alternative investment market in 2026
With EU interest rates still higher than in the 2010s, alternative investments like crowdlending continue to attract retail investors looking for yield beyond traditional savings and public markets
Explore the market
Maclear alternative investment at a glance
A Swiss crowdlending platform connecting EU and EEA investors with vetted business borrowers in growing European markets, offering collateralized loan investments from €50
€12M +Secondary Market volume
Target returns up to 16.5% per year before defaults and taxes
9,308 +Secondary Market participants
Many loans pay around 14.5% per year on average
How to start with alternative investments
Three straightforward steps to begin investing in business loans on Maclear
Create your account and complete verification
Registration takes minutes with standard identity checks
Fund your balance and browse available loans
Transfer euros and review each loan opportunity individually
Invest from €50 and track your portfolio
Choose loans, earn monthly interest, monitor performance
Benefits for committed alternative investors
Investors who build larger or longer-term portfolios on Maclear may access enhanced features and priority access to new loan opportunities
Priority access to new loan listings
See opportunities before they fill up
Dedicated support for portfolio questions
Get answers from the Maclear investment team
Enhanced reporting and annual tax statements
Maclear does not provide tax advice to investors
Growing community of European alternative investors
Join thousands of investors diversifying across Europe
Join a community of alternative investors across Europe
About Maclear and alternative investing
Maclear AG is a Swiss crowdlending platform connecting investors with vetted European business borrowers. EEA residents may access it subject to local regulations, tax rules, and Maclear's terms. This is not investment advice.
Transparency in every alternative investment
Each Maclear loan includes comprehensive documentation: borrower details, collateral information, loan-to-value ratio, credit rating, duration, and interest rate. Review all investment details before committing funds. Risk warning: potential defaults, limited liquidity, and possible partial or total capital loss.
- Full borrower profile on every loan listing
- Collateral and LTV details disclosed upfront
- Internal AAA to D credit scoring visible per loan
- Loan term and interest rate clearly stated
- Provision fund status shared with investors
- Regular portfolio reporting and annual statements
Collateral and the
Provision Fund help reduce certain risks, but do not eliminate investment risk.
Common questions about alternative investment on Maclear
Alternative investments are assets outside traditional stock and bond markets, including business loans, real estate projects, and private equity. They offer different risk-return profiles and behave independently from listed securities.
Traditional markets may not deliver adequate returns in current conditions. EU investors increasingly allocate capital to alternatives like business loans and real estate to access higher yield opportunities with diversification benefits.
Borrower default, limited liquidity, and absence of deposit insurance are common risks. Total loss is possible, and capital is not guaranteed. Each alternative carries specific dangers requiring individual assessment before commitment.
Platforms like Maclear connect investors with vetted borrowers by selling assigned loan claims. The platform handles borrower screening, creditworthiness assessment, and administrative tasks, removing the need for direct lending relationships.
Business loan investments on platforms can target returns up to 16.5% annually, with interest paid monthly. Actual returns depend on asset class, risk grade, and individual loan performance.
Yes. Minimum investments on crowdlending platforms often begin at €50, making alternatives accessible to retail investors without substantial initial capital. This low entry point enables gradual portfolio building.
Platforms assign internal risk grades ranging from AAA to D based on loan structure, collateral, and borrower profile. Collateralized loans use loan-to-value assessments to measure security coverage and default protection.
Spreading capital across different borrowers, sectors, and geographies reduces concentration risk. If one loan defaults, losses are absorbed across a wider portfolio, stabilizing overall returns and protecting against sector-specific downturns.
Alternatives are not listed on public exchanges and do not trade like equities. They typically offer illiquid, fixed-term structures with defined borrowing terms rather than open-market price discovery.
Do not invest money you cannot afford to lose entirely. Avoid alternatives if you need quick access to capital, lack risk tolerance, or depend on funds for essential expenses within the loan term.
Business loan investments on crowdlending platforms typically pay interest monthly, allowing steady cash flow rather than lump-sum distributions at maturity. Frequency varies by loan structure and platform terms.
