Uma Rajah: Investing in Prime UK Property with CapitalRise

In this interview, we speak with Uma Rajah, CEO of CapitalRise, about how the platform opens access to prime UK property finance. Learn how CapitalRise identifies investment opportunities, manages risk, delivers returns to investors, and the goals driving its next phase of growth.

For those new to CapitalRise, could you briefly explain what the platform does and what makes it unique in the UK property investment market?

CapitalRise is a specialist online investment platform that enables eligible individuals to invest in prime UK real estate debt, an asset class that has traditionally been the preserve of institutions and ultra-high-net-worth investors. What makes us unique is our exclusive focus on prime London locations like Mayfair, Belgravia, and Chelsea – as well as other prime hotspots in areas such as the Cotswolds, South West, and Home Counties. We have a proven track record of delivering risk-adjusted returns, and have repaid over £300m (to date) in capital and returns to our investors.

CapitalRise focuses on financing prime real estate. How do you define ‘prime’, and what kind of projects typically qualify?

We define ‘prime’ as high-value, high-quality real estate in prestigious locations. Typically, these are in central and outer London, as well as affluent areas of the Home Counties. These are properties with enduring appeal, architectural merit, and strong demand from buyers – both domestic and international. Our projects range from luxury townhouses and apartments to landmark refurbishments, with total loan sizes often between £1m and £20m.

Who can invest through CapitalRise, and how does the process work in practice - from selecting a deal to receiving returns?

CapitalRise is open to high-net-worth and sophisticated investors. Once registered, investors can browse curated opportunities. Investments are made online, and returns are typically rolled up and paid at the end of the term. Investors can track performance via their dashboard.

What inspired the start of CapitalRise, and how has your vision for democratising access to prime property evolved since launch?

CapitalRise was born from a desire to open up access to an asset class that had long been out of reach for most investors: prime UK property. Traditionally, only banks and ultra-high-net-worth individuals could participate in these deals. We saw an opportunity to change that by using technology to create a transparent, efficient platform that allows individuals to invest directly in high-quality, secured loans.

At the same time, CapitalRise is helping to solve a major pain point in prime property finance: slow, inflexible lending from traditional institutions. My background in fintech and my co-founders’ deep property expertise made it possible to build a platform that offers fast, transparent, and high-quality lending. Our vision has evolved to include broader access for both investors and borrowers, while maintaining our rigorous standards.

CapitalRise is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. What does that mean for investors, and how does it shape your governance and transparency standards?

Being FCA-authorised means we adhere to strict regulatory standards around investor protection, disclosure, and operational integrity. We conduct thorough due diligence, stress test every loan, and maintain robust governance frameworks. Transparency is key, and we provide detailed information on every opportunity so the investors can make informed decisions on whether to participate in each opportunity. Through our Project Monitoring and Investor Relations teams, we also provide regular updates throughout the investment lifecycle.

What are the typical investment opportunities available on CapitalRise, and how are they structured and secured?

Our opportunities are primarily short-to-medium term development or bridging loans secured against prime UK property. Each loan is structured with a first or second legal charge, and we typically lend up to 65% loan-to-value. We only work with experienced borrowers and include security packages as part of every loan. That said, it is important to stress that these are high-risk investments and you are unlikely to be protected if something does go wrong.

What potential returns have investors achieved to date, and what factors influence performance across different property cycles?

Since 2016, investors have historically earned average annual returns of around 9% on repaid loans (though rates vary to reflect the risk of each individual opportunity, and past returns are not a guarantee for future performance). Performance is influenced by factors like interest rates, build costs, and market demand. Prime property has historically been seen to be more resilient than the wider market during downturns, often recovering faster than the mainstream property market.

What are the main risks associated with investing through CapitalRise, and how do you manage or mitigate them?

As with any investment, capital is always at risk. Key risks include borrower default, market downturns, and project delays. With these risks in mind, we carry out rigorous underwriting, conservative loan-to-value ratios, and close monitoring of each project throughout its lifecycle. Only around 2% of applications make it onto our platform, reflecting our high standards.

What do you believe sets CapitalRise apart from other property investment platforms in the UK market?

Our focus on prime real estate, deep sector expertise, and proprietary technology sets us apart. We are the only platform specialising in this specific real estate sector, and our ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating and recognition at the British Bank Awards – with five consecutive wins – speaks to the quality of our underwriting. As founders, we also invest our own capital into every deal, aligning our interests with our investors.

Finally, what are the key milestones or growth goals you’re aiming to achieve over the coming year?

Our focus over the next year – as always – is on enhancing the investor experience. This includes expanding the range of high-end property investment opportunities available on the platform, introducing new features to improve transparency and reporting, and continuing to deliver strong, risk-adjusted returns. We are also growing our investor community and exploring ways to make our platform even more accessible to high-net-worth and sophisticated investors seeking diversification into UK real estate debt.