Crowdpear is a Lithuanian-based crowdfunding platform where investors can invest in mortgage-backed real estate loans from Lithuania and earn a return of up to 14%. The platform has been regulated and supervised by the Central Bank of Lithuania since its inception. In July 2023, the platform also obtained the ECSP licence, which means Crowdpear is regulated in accordance with the new EU Crowdfunding Regulation. In combination with the legally prescribed separation of investor and company funds, the safety on Crowdpear is much higher than on comparable P2P alternatives. All key facts and figures about Crowdpear at a glance. Crowdpear is a PeerBerry spin-off. This is proven by the fact that two of the three shareholders are also shareholders at PeerBerry. In Addition, there is also a strong overlap in terms of team members. The spin-off was founded primarily because PeerBerry and Crowdpear pursue different business models that are assessed differently from a regulatory point of view. Combining the two platforms under one roof would therefore not have been possible. For the marketplace model practised by PeerBerry, in which short-term consumer loans are offered by external lenders, there is no regulation at EU level yet (PeerBerry had rejected a possible regulation in Latvia). On the other hand, crowdfunding regulation exists for platforms such as Crowdpear, where investments are primarily made in secured real estate loans and business loans. For this reason, a decision was made to set-up a regulated platform with Crowdpear, which was officially founded in August 2021. The launch in early 2022 was postponed due to the war in Ukraine. In October 2022, the platform accepted first registrations. The first loans were offered at the beginning of 2023. Other sources of income include administrative fees, penalty fees or early termination fees. For investors, on the other hand, investing on Crowdpear is free of charge. A detailed overview of the fees charged can be found in this price list. The conversations focused on the risk assessment process for Crowdpear projects, the approach to potential defaults and general developments within the Aventus Group. With Andrejus Trofimovas, there was also an open exchange on more critical topics, including the absence of audited financial reports, the handling of Ukrainian assets during the war and the long-term strategy of the group. Who are the main shareholders and management executives behind Crowdpear? Let’s have a look! Who owns Crowdpear? The platform is officially operated by the Lithuanian company ‘UAB Crowdpear’. A look at the Lithuanian company register reveals that this company has three main shareholders. Vytautas Olšauskas (25%) and Ivan Butov (25%) are two shareholders who are also registered as owners at PeerBerry with the same amount of shares. Vytautas Stražnickas (50%), on the other hand, is a manager for one of the oldest printing companies in Lithuania, where he has been active for 25+ years – Garsu Pasaulis. Vytautas also holds one of the leading positions at the Aventus Group in Poland. CEO of the Crowdpear platform is the Lithuanian Vytautas Olšauskas. He is also a member of the board at Mano Bank, which he co-founded. This is why his influence on Crowdpear is more of a strategic nature and less in day-to-day operations. Arūnas Lekavičius, who should be known to many investors for years as PeerBerry CEO (since January 2019), acts as the external representative. On the Crowdpear website, investors can find more information about the platform’s team members. It is striking that there is a lot of overlap with the PeerBerry team. Among them is Rita Simanavičiūtė, who is responsible for marketing and PR. In order to invest on Crowdpear, investors must meet two requirements: A minimum age of 18 years and a residence in the European Union or the European Economic Area. Overall, the registration process is relatively simple and intuitive. After opening the account via email, the KYC (Know-Your-Customer) and AML (Anti-Money-Laundering) questionnaires must be completed. This is followed by the verification of identity and the declaration of tax domicile. Also legal entities have the opportunity to register on Crowdpear. If you want to sign up on Crowdpear, you will have a chance to grab an additional investment bonus. To do so, sign up on Crowdpear by using this link. This will enable you to receive a 1% cashback on all investments made in the first 90 days after registration. A platform overview with all bonus offers and cashback promotions can be found on the bonus page. The P2P lending industry is a fast-moving environment. Hence, make sure to stay on top of all relevant information by subscribing to my channels on Telegram or WhatsApp. This way, you will always receive the latest information from the P2P industry, including platform news regarding Crowdpear. How does Crowdpear work and what should investors know and consider when investing on the plaform? In the following sections of my Crowdpear review you will find all the necessary information that you need. Due to low supply, there is currently no Auto Invest function. Instead, projects have to be selected manually. A second borrower country, Spain, is to be added in the foreseeable future. The minimum investment amount on Crowdpear is EUR 100. A special feature of Crowdpear is that interest is calculated from the first day of the investment. On other crowdfunding platforms, the payment is usually made at the end of the loan term. It is also important to note that Crowdpear acts as an intermediary between borrowers and investors. This means that the loan agreements are concluded with the borrower and not with the platform. In case Crowdpear had to file for insolvency, the claims would still exist. Costs and Fees There are no costs or hidden fees for investors on Crowdpear. Both deposits and withdrawals are free, as is investing on the platform itself. The expected return on Crowdpear is promoted with up to 14% (previously: 15%). According to the previous loan projects, the average interest rate on the platform has been 11.24%. Compared to other crowdfunding platforms, which can offer a similar level of security, this seems to be a competitive return. Overall, Crowdpear offers a very competitive return for the underlying risk. Defaults and recoveries have to be taken into account though when looking at the future return. As far as my personal return on Crowdpear goes, my total return in 2023 has been at 5.89%. The somewhat lower performance was mainly due to the repayment structure of the loans. Looking at 2024, my annual performance stands at 10.52%, which is more likely to correspond to a realistic return expectation. On Crowdpear, investors can use the secondary market to sell their loans early and thus increase liquidity. Both a discount and a premium can be set for the respective project. If the sale is successful, the seller is automatically charged a fee of 2% from the transaction amount. The buyer, on the other hand, is not charged any fees. Generally, interest income generated through loan financing is considered capital income and thus must be declared as such in the tax return. As a Lithuania-based P2P platform, Crowdpear is legally obliged to withhold tax – at a rate of 15% – on interest income earned. This is automatically withheld by the platform. Investors can reduce the withholding tax to 10% by filling out a “DAS-1 form” and sending it to the platform. As there is a double taxation agreement between Lithuania and most European countries, the withholding tax can be offset. This means that it is not paid twice. Investors can also download a corresponding document for the tax return via the dashboard at the “Statements” section. When evaluating a P2P platform, investors should look very carefully at the possible risk factors and weigh them up before making an investment. What do investors need to look at when it comes to Crowdpear? Where are the underlying risks and how can those be assessed? The platform itself offers an initial overview. In this document, Crowdpear lists a number of possible risks, including default risks or recovery difficulties. The Crowdpear platform, operated by the Lithuanian company “UAB Crowdpear”, launched its operations in January 2023. In its domestic market, the platform is supervised and monitored by the Lithuanian Central Bank. In July 2023, the Lithuanian Central Bank approved the licence allowing Crowdpear to operate as a service provider under the European Crowdfunding Regulation (ECSP). This enables the platform to offer its services across the EU under a unified regulatory framework, without requiring a separate authorisation in each member state. Unlike MiFID II-regulated platforms, investors have no entitlement to compensation through an investor compensation scheme. Loan defaults or a potential insolvency of borrowers are also not covered by the regulation. The ECSP regulation does, however, prohibit platforms from listing projects connected to affiliated companies or insiders. Through its regulatory status, Crowdpear is also required to meet a high standard of compliance and transparency, including the publication of audited financial reports. The ECSP licence requires Crowdpear to maintain a strict separation between investor funds and the company’s own operating funds. For this purpose, the platform works with Mano Bank, which holds investor funds in separate accounts. This means that in the event of Crowdpear ceasing operations, investors retain access to their funds and loan repayments can continue in an orderly manner. Investments offered through Crowdpear are not covered by a national or European deposit guarantee scheme. Investors should therefore be aware that invested capital is subject to a real risk of loss, that returns are not guaranteed and that it may not be possible to recover the full amount invested. The financial stability of a P2P platform is a key risk factor. Is Crowdpear already able to operate profitably? And how well is the company positioned financially? Annual Report Auditor: UAB Audifina Regulated audit firm. Standard: Lithuanian GAAP Local standard, not internationally comparable. Due to crowdfunding regulations, Crowdpear is legally required to publish audited financial statements. Investors can review these on this page. According to the financial figures for 2024, Crowdpear recently achieved a profit of EUR 152,126. This means that the Lithuania-based P2P lending platform was able to reach profitability in just its second year of operations. To minimise the risk of loan defaults, Crowdpear follows a set of regulatory requirements that dictate how risks associated with loan projects must be assessed. This includes that the platform only works with real estate appraisers officially approved by the regulatory authority in the context of real estate appraisals. In addition, the property valuations are checked by internal risk managers. For this purpose, Crowdpear obtains a range of data and information from public registers and databases to check the borrower’s history, creditworthiness, or reputation. Once all the necessary documentation has been gathered and all the data has been verified, Crowdpear’s internal credit committee makes a final decision on the financing of the project. In this section, I have listed the most important advantages and disadvantages of Crowdpear. Crowdpear is a young and ambitious P2P platform, which already offers a great framework for long-term success: A regulated environment, loans with competitive interest rates and an experienced team in the background that has a proven track record of successfully managing a mortgage-backed portfolio in the past. The quality of the loan portfolio is outstanding so far, as there have been hardly any delays and only two defaults (as of September 2024), which are currently being recovered. In this regard, the handling of the first defaults and first recoveries will therefore be interesting to observe. In terms of loan supply, investors need to be a bit patient due to the small number of loans avialbale. Anyone who is looking for a regulated P2P platform with property-backed loans should definitely consider Crowdpear as an addition to their P2P portfolio. Already invested in Crowdpear? Or looking for similar platforms? Here are three Crowdpear alternatives from the P2P market. Profitus: A regulated P2P marketplace based in Lithuania. Focus on mortgage-secured real estate loans. Like Crowdpear, Profitus concentrates on the Lithuanian home market and targets investors that are looking to combine strong loan collateral with competitive returns. More information in my Profitus review. PeerBerry: Crowdpear is a spin-off of PeerBerry and was built by the same team. For those not yet familiar with the parent platform: PeerBerry is a P2P marketplace incorporated in Croatia, working closely with partners from within the Aventus Group and standing out through a notably strong performance during times of crisis. More information in my PeerBerry review. InRento: A regulated crowdfunding marketplace from Lithuania that is specialised in rental properties. Similar to Crowdpear, InRento targets investors that are looking to diversify their portfolio with real estate-backed loans, with the added benefit of regular monthly interest payments. You can find other Crowdpear alternatives on the P2P Platform Comparison page. Crowdpear is a Lithuania-based platform regulated under the European Crowdfunding Service Providers (ECSP) regulation, where investors can invest in mortgage-backed real estate loans from Lithuania and achieve double-digit returns. Both natural and legal persons can register on Crowdpear. To register as a natural person, investors must meet two requirements: a minimum age of 18 years and residency in the European Union or the European Economic Area. The expected return on Crowdpear is advertised with up to 14% ROI. The average interest rate typically ranges between 10% and 11%. Taking into account cashback and bonus campaigns, as well as defaulted loans, an expected return between 9% and 11% appears to be realistic. A buyback guarantee is extremely rare among real estate platforms that offer collateral as security. Crowdpear does not offer any form of buyback guarantee either. However, Crowdpear does have a secondary market, where loans can be sold early at a premium or at a discount. Sellers are charged a 2% transaction fee. I’m Denny Neidhardt, the founder of re:think P2P. On this blog, I help retail investors make smarter, well-informed investment decisions in the world of P2P lending. Since 2019, I’ve been publishing in-depth analyses, platform reviews, and risk assessments to bring more transparency to this investment space. My goal is to challenge marketing claims, question developments, and empower investors with honest, independent insights.
What is Crowdpear?
Crowdpear at a Glance
Founded / Started:
August 2021 / January 2023
Legal Name:
UAB Crowdpear (LINK)
Headquarter:
Vilnius, Lithuania
Regulated:
Yes (Central Bank of Lithuania and ECSP License)
CEO:
Vytautas Olšauskas (August 2021)
Assets Under Management:
EUR 20+ Million
Number of Investors:
10.000+
Expected Return:
Up to 14%
Primary Loan Type:
Real Estate Loans
Collateral:
Mortgage
The Origin Story
Business Model
How does Crowdpear earn money? The platform monetises itself primarily through a brokerage fee, which is charged to borrowers upon successful project financing. This can be between 2% and 5% of the financed loan amount.Crowdpear On-Site Visit
In June 2024, I visited Crowdpear on-site in Vilnius. During my visit, I had the opportunity to get to know the team and speak in more detail with three people: Risk Manager Ernesta Lynikė, who previously spent three and a half years at Profitus, Marketing Manager Rita Simanavičiūtė and Aventus owner Andrejus Trofimovas.
Ownership and Management
Crowdpear Ownership
Crowdpear Management
Sign Up and Bonus
Crowdpear Bonus
Crowdpear Forum
Investing on Crowdpear
Loan Offering
Crowdpear offers investments in secured real estate loans from Lithuania on its platform.Expected Returns
Secondary Market
Crowdpear Taxes
Crowdpear Risks
Platform Risk
Regulation and Licence
Segregation of Funds and Deposit Protection
Financial Stability
Profitability
Risk Assessment
The loans offered on Crowdpear are 100% secured by first-rank mortgages. In case of payment difficulties or defaults, the sale should protect the investment. According to its own information, the platform only finances loans at a loan-to-value (LTV) of up to 80%.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Summary Crowdpear Review
What is the final verdict of my Crowdpear review?
Crowdpear Alternatives
FAQ Crowdpear Review
Crowdpear Review 2026: Up to 14% at PeerBerry Spin-Off?
Affiliate Links / Conflict of InterestDisclaimer
This article contains affiliate links. If you register and/or invest through one of these links, the operator receives a commission. The compensation has no influence on the opinion or the evaluation of the platform. Potential conflicts of interest can be looked up on the “P2P Portfolio” page.
Investments in P2P loans involve risks and may result in the complete loss of the invested capital. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future developments. The following content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Despite careful research, no guarantee is given for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information provided. No liability is accepted for any financial losses or investment decisions made based on the information presented here. For more details, see the full disclaimer.
✅ What is Crowdpear and how does the real estate crowdfunding platform work?
✅ Who can invest on Crowdpear and what are the requirements?
✅ What returns and interest rates does Crowdpear offer?
✅ Does Crowdpear offer a buyback guarantee or a secondary market?