Crowdlending vs Crowdfunding vs Crowdinvesting Understanding the differences and when to use each model

Crowd-based financing has evolved quickly in Switzerland. Terms like crowdfunding, crowdlending and crowdinvesting are often mixed, even though they serve very different purposes.
This guide clarifies what each model means and how complementary concepts such as crowdgiving, crowdsourcing, crowdsolving, crowdshipping and crowdworking fit into the broader picture.

1. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is the general term for raising money from a large number of people.
 It can include:
 • reward-based crowdfunding
 • charitable crowdfunding (crowdgiving)
 • personal and community fundraising

Crowdgiving is growing strongly in Switzerland and is used for emergencies, group gifts and solidarity actions.
 This is exactly the model offered by HappyPot, designed for Swiss expectations.
Creating a pot is simple through the page create a pot.
Its process is explained clearly in how it works, with transparent fees outlined on the pricing page.
Additional insights are available on the HappyPot blog.

2. Crowdlending

Crowdlending is a loan between many individuals and a borrower.
Key characteristics:
• the money must be repaid
• a fixed interest rate
• contractual obligation
• higher regulatory oversight

This model is often used for SME financing, personal loans or real estate projects.

3. Crowdinvesting

Crowdinvesting means investing in a company or project in exchange for equity or profit-sharing rights.
 Key characteristics:
 • participation in a company
 • potential for high returns
 • significant financial risk
 • financial and legal disclosures

It is mainly used by startups and property investment platforms in Switzerland.

4. Crowdgiving

Crowdgiving is the simplest and most emotional form of crowdfunding.
 People give without expecting financial return.
 It is used for:
 • helping families
 • medical or personal emergencies
 • group gifts
 • local community support

This is the core of HappyPot, offering a Swiss-oriented, multilingual and transparent approach.

5. Other “crowd-” concepts

Several additional crowd-based models exist:

• crowdsourcing – outsourcing tasks to a community
• crowdsolving – solving complex problems collectively
• crowdshipping – peer-to-peer delivery
• crowdtesting – product testing by a community
• crowdknowledge – shared knowledge models
• crowdcare – community support systems
• crowdworking – micro-task platforms

These models show how collaborative systems are reshaping services and innovation.

When to use each model in Switzerland

• For emergencies, gifts or solidarity cases
 → Crowdgiving via HappyPot
• For loans with repayment
→ Crowdlending
• For investing in startups or real estate
→ Crowdinvesting
• For mobilising a community around a project
→ Crowdfunding

Conclusion

While all these terms begin with “crowd”, they serve different goals.
 Crowdgiving remains the most accessible, human-centred and widely used model in Switzerland.
 With a fully Swiss-adapted structure, HappyPot stands out as a reliable solution for simple, transparent and community-driven fundraising.