Altvest Capital impressed the Environmental Finance Sustainable Investment Awards judges with its digitally-enabled investment platform.

Its goal is to 'democratise' access to alternative investments and private equity for everyday investors in Africa.

Altvest's says its platform enables the creation, issuance, sale, distribution, management, tracking, and trade of direct fractional ownership in unlisted assets for private asset owners.

The Altvest platform provides entrepreneurs and small businesses with the opportunity to raise capital from retail and institutional investors or raise debt from capital markets. It enables fractionalised ownership of unlisted assets for retail and institutional investors and secondary market trading of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) owning single institutional-grade assets.

Through the platform, retail and institutional investors have access to listed instruments representing an economic interest in private equity assets.

Altvest also facilitates a community with the aim of supporting innovation and sustainable growth across Africa. Entrepreneurs and businesses are provided with media exposure, technology advice, and consulting and mentorship.

Examples of Altvest's investments include the Altvest listing of Umganu Lodge to support conservation efforts around the Kruger National Park, the Bambanani Family Group listing which supports employment and economic development in the mixed-income Melville area of Johannesburg and bolsters female-owned businesses.