The financial landscape is shifting, with alternative finance models such as crowdfunding, peer-to-peer lending, and impact investing decentralizing capital distribution. These changes create new opportunities, especially for those seeking to buy property in non-urban areas for Cultural and Creative Industry (CCI) projects.
Crowdequity, a key alternative finance model, allows communities and entrepreneurs to pool resources and fund property purchases and creative projects through collective investment. With the alternative finance market projected to grow 20% from 2023–2030, understanding how to leverage these models is essential.
Rural Radicals invites you to join and learn more on the topic that we are so excited about!
What we’ll discuss:
Joep de Roo (NL)
Joep de Roo is a policy and project advisor. Since 2000 he supports the development and implementation of projects and policies in the field of spatial-economic development, cultural-heritage and agricultural-rural transition. In 2008 he started Eurodite, a regional and EU consulting firm in Romania and The Netherlands. In 2021 he was co-initiator of Nieuwe Bodem, a demonstration farm on regenerative agroforestry in The Netherlands. Since 2022 he is a senior policy advisor within the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. Here, he is working on the development and implementation of regional policies for agriculture and nature preservation.
Lars Willemse (NL)
Serial Entrepreneur specialized in social media growth, real estate arbitrage and community building. I crowdfunded my ski apartment in Bulgaria in 2021 and launched the CoFunding program in 2023 helping people to creatively invest in real estate utilising their community.
I believe in alternative financing because the world of real estate should not be a lending game but a community game. The debt you have on a property should be to your community to deliver what you promise instead of to a bank that looks at your numbers and risk. A property is so much more than just a place to sleep, it is an experience and you can let your community witness that experience. I believe that creators have the key to this new way of financing. 1 bank = 200.000 loan and no loyalty bookings vs 2.000 members = 200.000 loan and thousands of bookings. That will be the impact of this change.
Denis Altschul (BR/DE)
Denis Altschul is a social entrepreneur, real estate developer, and cultural innovator shaping spaces that connect people, culture, and sustainability. Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil, and now based between Berlin and the Azores, he is co-developing Ser Água, a boutique resort and cultural center in the Azores. Currently in its early development and interim use phase, this visionary project blends creativity, environmental stewardship, and eco-tourism to foster community and mindful living.
Previously, Denis led Agora Collective, a multidisciplinary hub in Berlin that fostered artistic collaboration and innovation. He is also the co-founder of TOCA, a company redefining digital privacy and the use of technology with its signal-blocking products.
A multi-instrumentalist, Denis merges artistic expression with entrepreneurial vision. From managing community-driven spaces to creating transformative projects, his work consistently inspires connection and purpose.
Ronald Kleverlaan (NL)
Ronald Kleverlaan is the chairman of Stichting MKB Financiering, the alternative finance association in The Netherlands, and the director of the European Centre for Alternative Finance at Utrecht University. With over 15 years of experience, Ronald has led research, education, and advocacy on alternative finance, crowdfunding, and community ownership in Europe. He holds a master’s degree in Business Information Systems from the University of Amsterdam, an International Master’s degree of Asia-Europe Institute and has been honored for his contributions to the field. As the founder and senior partner of CrowdfundingHub and a senior advisor to the European Commission, Ronald is dedicated to advancing financial inclusion and innovation in the alternative finance ecosystem.
The session is moderated by Ella Overkleeft, founder of Rural Radicals.
