CrowdLending (Business) - Bulgaria

The total transaction value in the Crowdlending (Business) market market in Bulgaria is projected to reach US$4.40m in 2024.
When compared globally, it is evident that the highest transaction value is expected China (US$16bn in 2024).
Bulgaria's CrowdLending market is gaining traction as businesses seek alternative capital raising options in the evolving financial landscape.

Definition:

Crowdlending platforms, otherwise know as lending-based Crowdfunding enable small and medium-sized enterprises to get loans from single or multiple, private and institutional investors via an online brokering platform. On credit platforms such as Funding Circle, OnDeck, Kabbage and Lending Club, businesses can obtain small loans up to a set maximum value. As a rule, financing requests are analyzed by the provider via an internal scoring system and are checked against additional minimum requirements such as turnover. Subsequently, these financing requests can be invested in by private and institutional investors at an appropriate interest rate determined by the credit rating of the company. This makes it possible for SMEs to borrow quickly and easily, as the basic requirements for obtaining finance are more flexible compared to traditional bank loans.

Alternative financing for SMEs and freelancers (bank-independent loans)
Small business loans issued by single or multiple private and institutional investors (non-banks)
Online loan request, scoring and approval

Traditional bank loans
Consumer loans and credit card transactions
Business-to-Business credit scoring and rating services
Online marketplaces for consumer loans (see Marketplace Lending)

The CrowdLending (Business) market in Bulgaria has been steadily growing in recent years, driven by a combination of customer preferences, market trends, local special circumstances, and underlying macroeconomic factors.

Customer preferences: Bulgarian businesses have shown a growing interest in alternative financing options, such as crowd lending. This is partly due to the convenience and speed of the online lending process, which allows businesses to access funds quickly and easily. Additionally, crowd lending platforms often offer competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms, making them an attractive option for businesses seeking capital.

Trends in the market: One of the key trends in the CrowdLending (Business) market in Bulgaria is the increasing number of crowd lending platforms. These platforms act as intermediaries between borrowers and lenders, facilitating the lending process and providing a marketplace for businesses to access funding. The growing number of platforms indicates a growing demand for crowd lending services in Bulgaria. Another trend in the market is the diversification of crowd lending products. While traditional crowd lending platforms primarily focused on providing loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), there has been a shift towards offering a wider range of products. For example, some platforms now offer invoice financing, where businesses can sell their outstanding invoices to investors in exchange for immediate cash.

Local special circumstances: Bulgaria has a relatively high number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are often in need of financing to support their growth and expansion plans. Traditional banks have been slow to meet the financing needs of these businesses, creating an opportunity for crowd lending platforms to fill the gap. The availability of crowd lending platforms has provided SMEs with an alternative source of funding, allowing them to access the capital they need to grow their businesses.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The CrowdLending (Business) market in Bulgaria has also been influenced by underlying macroeconomic factors. The country has experienced steady economic growth in recent years, which has contributed to an increase in business activity and the demand for financing. Additionally, low interest rates have made borrowing more affordable for businesses, further driving the demand for crowd lending services. In conclusion, the CrowdLending (Business) market in Bulgaria is developing due to customer preferences for alternative financing options, such as crowd lending, as well as market trends, local special circumstances, and underlying macroeconomic factors. The convenience and speed of the online lending process, the availability of competitive interest rates and flexible repayment terms, and the growing number of crowd lending platforms have all contributed to the growth of the market. Furthermore, the high number of SMEs in Bulgaria and the slow response of traditional banks to their financing needs have created an opportunity for crowd lending platforms to meet the demand for capital.

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on transaction values / revenues / assets under management and user data of relevant services and products offered within the FinTech market.

Modeling approach / Market size:

Market sizes are determined through a combined top-down and bottom-up approach, building on a specific rationale for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use annual financial reports of key players, industry reports, third-party reports, publicly available databases, and survey results from primary research (e.g., the Statista Global Consumer Survey). In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, consumer spending, population, internet penetration, smartphone penetration, credit card penetration, and online banking penetration. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the S-curve function and exponential trend smoothing are well suited for forecasting digital products and services due to the non-linear growth of technology adoption.

Additional notes:

The market is updated twice a year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war is considered at a country-specific level.

This report presents a comprehensive analysis and additional information on the Financial market, in a PDF format.

Crowdfunding is the collective effort of a large number of individuals who network and pool small amounts of capital to finance a new or existing business venture. Each campaign is set for a goal amount of money and a fixed timeframe, each day is counted down and the money raised will be tallied up for visitors to follow its success. The size of the global crowdfunding market is growing and the largest markets are North America and Asia.