Investing in shares in an impact company
Want to put your savings to work while financing the social and ecological transition? You've come to the right place!
Thanks to LITA.co, you can invest in companies with a positive impact. Let's zoom in on shares.
Investing in shares
What's a share?
A share is a portion of a company's capital. The owners of these company shares are called the shareholders. Shareholders have rights that are set out in a shareholder agreement: the right to information, the right to vote, the right to attend general meetings, the right to receive dividends, ...
What do I need to know before buying shares?
The difference between listed and unlisted shares
Shares can be listed or unlisted. Unlisted shares are usually issued directly to private investors by small and medium-sized companies seeking financing. Unlike listed shares, they cannot be bought and sold on the stock exchange market but are traded "over the counter". The transaction then happens directly between seller and buyer. Historically, unlisted shares were reserved only for professional investors such as investment funds or business angels. But today, thanks to a platform like LITA.co, you too can invest directly in these promising companies.
Characteristics of unlisted companies
Without a regulated market, the value of these shares is less easy to estimate. However, unlike listed shares, they are not subject to speculation. They are therefore less volatile. They are also less liquid, meaning it can be difficult to resell them. So keep in mind that you should never invest money that you might need in the short term. Finally, investing in unlisted shares carries a risk of losing all or part of the invested capital, as these tend to be smaller companies with a higher risk of failure.
But unlisted shares have a big plus: they allow you to focus your savings on the so-called real economy. The real economy includes the production of goods and services, i.e. no activities that fall under the financial economy. When you buy shares directly from SMEs or start-ups, you're participating in a local economy that works to boost local activity by creating jobs and tangible benefits for society. And that's precisely what we value at LITA.co.
Investing in shares with LITA.co
What financial benefits can shares offer?
Unlisted shares are financial assets with a particularly attractive return potential. Unlike bonds, their returns are not known or limited in advance. Depending on the company's growth potential, the capital gains can be significant.
Capital gain when sold
For most investments in unlisted shares, you have to wait for an exit opportunity before you can sell your shares. Capital gains arise when the share is sold at a higher price than the price you paid for it yourself. This is the compensation method we prefer at LITA.co. The investments we propose offer potential prospects of attractive exit opportunities, on average after 5 to 7 years.
Dividend payment
A dividend is a portion of a company's profits that is distributed fairly to shareholders in proportion to their number of shares. Only profitable companies can pay dividends. Unlisted shares usually involve start-ups and SMEs that, although growing strongly, usually still have too little profit to use this type of remuneration. So this type of remuneration is rather rare on LITA.co.
Why become an ethical shareholder?
By buying sustainable shares on LITA.co, you are putting your savings to good use and contributing to the emergence of a form of finance that combines profitability with a positive impact on society and the environment.
Investing transparently
On our investment platform, you choose yourself what you'd like to finance with your savings. By buying shares directly from the company, you can experience an entrepreneurial adventure. You can participate in general meetings, get a look behind the scenes of the company and follow its evolution in terms of impact objectives and concrete results. Since our creation, nearly 10 000 jobs have already been created or consolidated thanks to more than 100 fundraisings to finance committed companies.
Invest according to your values
We offer you the opportunity to become a responsible shareholder, by defending a fairer, more inclusive economy that reinvents production and consumption patterns, while respecting the planet's limits. We select companies that meet at least one of the criteria of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The companies on our platform operate at the core of important transition sectors: sustainable real estate, renewable energy, sustainable agricultural and food systems, technological innovation of public interest, ...
You can buy shares in start-ups and SMEs, each with its own expectations in terms of risk, return and impact. The diverse range also gives you the opportunity to diversify your investments on our platform.
Learn more about our commitment →
Enjoy a tax reduction by buying Belgian shares via the Tax Shelter
By investing in unlisted shares of Belgian companies, private individuals can benefit from the Tax Shelter, a tax reduction of up to 45% of the invested amount.