Ten years of successful investments drive global expansion and brand consolidation to mark a new era

The new brand celebrates ALTERNATIVE fund, which has spent a decade proving that alternative finance can deliver both strong returns and meaningful impact. Since operations began in 2015 with a focus on Silk Road and Eastern Europe, it has evolved into a global securitisation fund expanding to Asia, Africa, and other high-growth regions.

The time-tested business model of ALTERNATIVE, a Luxembourg-based securitisation fund, celebrates its 10th anniversary and enters its second decade of operations. The model, in which the fund invests directly in its portfolio companies, has proven successful for a decade with a strong track record.

ALTERNATIVE’s portfolio companies are unified under unique MK identity, consolidating the proven securitisation fund business model. This marks 10 years of successfully connecting investors with micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide. Lending companies previously operating under the Mikro Kapital brand will operate as MK Kredit, while leasing providers will be renamed from Mikro Leasing to MK Leasing.

This transition sees ALTERNATIVE’s portfolio companies adopting the MK identity whilst maintaining their operational excellence and market expertise.

ALTERNATIVE’s decade of proven impact

Since 2015, ALTERNATIVE has built a reputation for transparent, impact-driven finance solutions that bridges the gap between capital-seeking entrepreneurs and investors. The unified brand signifies not just geographic scaling, but the broadening scope of financing solutions offered to address the diverse needs of businesses in underserved markets worldwide. The numbers[i] tell the story of sustained growth and impact:

• €578 million raised in bonds at 7.5% average annual coupon rate,
• €563 million deployed in loan portfolio and equity investments,
• €431 million growth in total assets from €4.5 million to €435.5 million,
• €117.5 million deployed in equity investments and €445.7 million in loan disbursements,
• 17.2% average quarterly growth of portfolio companies from €2 million to €197 million,
• 3% average PAR30+ rate across portfolio companies,
• US$10 million in tokenised bonds with over US$2 million in automated coupon payments via blockchain smart contracts,
• 167 locations served by portfolio companies, with more than half in rural areas.

Vincenzo Trani, Founder, says:
“The new brand of ALTERNATIVE’s portfolio companies reflects the evolution from a focused regional portfolio into a truly global fund. We have proven that our securitisation fund is no longer micro. This model creates genuine value connecting investors with opportunities that generate both financial returns and measurable social impact.”

Pioneering blockchain in alternative finance

Building on this proven foundation, ALTERNATIVE since 2023 pioneered tokenisation in the alternative finance sector, successfully launching more than US$10 million worth of tokenised bonds. This innovation combines traditional bond strength with blockchain transparency and security, having delivered over US$2 million in automated coupon payments through smart contracts.

Johannes Feist, Chief Executive Officer, says:

“Tokenisation represents an important channel for the future of alternative finance. By leveraging blockchain, we are creating unprecedented transparency while maintaining full regulatory compliance.”

The tokenised bonds are denominated in well-established stablecoins, providing stability for investors whilst ensuring all transactions are permanently recorded on the blockchain.

Comprehensive investment approach

The time-tested approach centres on providing investors access to the securitisation fund that finances MSMEs across emerging markets. The model offers complete transparency, with investors maintaining visibility from their capital deployment through material socioeconomic impact of their investments – all aligned with ESG principles and UN SDGs.

Local experts at ALTERNATIVE’s portfolio companies provide constant monitoring and support to entrepreneurs, creating a hands-on approach that minimises risk while optimising returns for investors.

Johannes Feist, CEO, says:

“Our investors are not just buying bonds; they are directly enabling businesses to access vital capital for growth. This creates a unique value proposition in alternative finance.”

The 10-year-old fund’s impact extends beyond financial returns, actively facilitating job creation, improved livelihoods, and strengthened prosperity. Through integrated financial education programs, the fund ensures sustained growth and stability for end-borrowers, creating positive transformation throughout local economies.

Time-tested business model drives global scaling

The new brand of ALTERNATIVE’s portfolio companies débuts as demand grows for transparent, impactful investment opportunities in underserved markets. The portfolio’s blockchain-enabled infrastructure positions it at the forefront of the digital transformation, while its continued expansion across Asia, Africa, and other growth regions maintains the local expertise and hands-on support that have defined its success.

Johannes Feist, CEO, says:

“We are not just facilitating transactions. We are building bridges between potential and possibility. Every investment through ALTERNATIVE portfolio represents a direct connection between global capital and local entrepreneurial ambition, delivering value beyond conventional financial returns.”

The unified MK brand of ALTERNATIVE’s portfolio companies represents both geographic expansion and operational maturity. The portfolio will continue expanding into new markets whilst maintaining the time-tested approach that creates opportunities for impact-focused investors and growth-seeking entrepreneurs.

About ALTERNATIVE portfolio companies: ALTERNATIVE portfolio companies connect investors with high-impact opportunities across emerging markets worldwide. By combining traditional alternative finance with blockchain innovation, ALTERNATIVE portfolio companies provide entrepreneurs with flexible financing solutions whilst offering investors visibility into their impact. ALTERNATIVE portfolio companies’ mission is to unlock potential, nurture entrepreneurial aspirations, and connect ambition with investment through innovative financial technology.

For more information, please visit: www.mikrokapital.com. For media inquiries and interview opportunities, please contact marketing@mikrokapital.com.

[i] The numbers are correct as of 19 June 2025.