Roman Katerynchyk: How Lonvest Connects Investors to the Alternative Lending Market

In this interview, we speak with Roman Katerynchyk, CEO of Lonvest, about how the platform connects investors with alternative lending opportunities. We explore investment options, potential returns, and risks, as well as how Lonvest vets loan originators. We also ask Roman about the ethical considerations of high-interest lending practices and how Lonvest approaches this issue. Finally, we discuss the platform’s regulatory framework and future goals.

Can you briefly describe Lonvest?

Lonvest is an innovative investment platform that connects investors with opportunities in alternative lending. Every loan on the platform is backed by a buyback guarantee, ensuring that investors benefit from an added layer of security. With an emphasis on transparency, efficiency, and risk management, Lonvest creates a secure environment for both borrowers and investors, helping them meet their financial goals. Moreover, each loan comes from a thoroughly vetted and trusted originator, reinforcing our commitment to quality and reliability.

What inspired you to become CEO of Lonvest?

We founded Lonvest to address the need for a secure way for investors to access alternative investments opportunities. Recognising that traditional financial systems often overlook niche lending markets, I saw an opportunity to create a platform where every loan is backed by a robust risk mitigation framework and trusted loan originators. In addition, I have over 8 years of experience in digital lending, which has enabled me to develop the skills and expertise necessary to implement effective anti-fraud measures and risk management strategies. 

As a result, I can ensure that our trusted originators always operate in the best interests of our clients. A solid, sustainable business model and proven profitability inspired us to launch the Lonvest platform. Our aim is to provide investors with a secure, reliable opportunity while actively expanding into both our existing and new markets under the unified SpaceCrew Finance Group. This strategy not only reduces potential losses but also offers investors a clear and attractive earning proposition. By consolidating operations within the SpaceCrew Finance Group, we ensure that our approach remains focused, integrated, and highly efficient.

Who is on your team and how do you complement each other?

The Lonvest management team, based in Europe, drives our strategic vision and daily operations. We work in close partnership with the SpaceCrew Finance Group, which employs over 500 professionals across five countries with expertise in IT, risk management, finance, automation, and customer support. This collaboration ensures that every lending opportunity is thoroughly vetted and managed with precision. Together, our European team and our global partner deliver a secure, efficient, and well-managed service for our investors.

What are the types of investments available on Lonvest?

Lonvest specialises in alternative investment opportunities. Currently, we have a loan originator based in Mexico which provides 30 days loans for borrowers. Meanwhile, we offer four distinct investment options with fixed-interest  available for durations of 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Lonvest works with a variety of products, ranging from short-term loans to instalment-based products provided by trusted originators, thus ensuring that the platform meets a diverse range of investment needs. These investments provide clear, predictable returns and are fully supported by our rigorous risk mitigation measures, including a comprehensive buyback guarantee that helps protect your capital. This structured approach enables investors to diversify their portfolios across different time horizons while enjoying stable returns. For a deeper understanding of our investment model and its benefits, please check out Q&A session: Key Insights into Mexico’s Lending Market, which offers an insightful overview of the processes.

What are the potential earnings for an investor on Lonvest?

Investors on the platform have the opportunity to earn up to 15% annually, which is a substantial return when considering the controlled level of risk involved. At Lonvest, we are pleased to offer investors the opportunity to earn competitive fixed returns from our trusted loan originator in Mexico. In addition, our loyalty program rewards long-term investors: those registered for over 90 days and investing more than 10,000 euros receive an extra 0.5% annual interest; this bonus increases to 0.75% for investments over 25,000 euros and 1% for amounts exceeding 50,000 euros. Some of our investors took this opportunity, and now we have almost 700 registered users.

What are the risks of investing with Lonvest?

At Lonvest, protecting the capital of our investors is our top priority. Every loan is secured by a buyback guarantee—if a borrower is over 60 days late on payments, the loan originator is obligated to repurchase the loan, covering both the principal and the accumulated interest. In addition, our group guarantee, provided by Space Crew Finance, ensures that if one loan originator is unable to meet its obligations, other companies within the group will step in to assume those liabilities. This comprehensive protection is supported by rigorous due diligence, continuous monitoring, and an advanced AI-driven borrower scoring system, ensuring that your investment is managed within a secure and transparent framework. Additionally, our skin in the game approach guarantees that our partners have a direct financial stake in the success of every loan.

How are loan originators vetted before being listed on Lonvest?

Our approach to vetting loan originators is straightforward: we exclusively work with trusted partners that are part of the Space Crew Finance Group. We don’t engage with external credit companies. Because every loan originator is an internal member of our group, we have full confidence in their financial stability, operational integrity, and adherence to our strict standards. This ensures that every lending opportunity on Lonvest meets our rigorous quality and security criteria before being listed. Moreover, our platform offers a unique format where we share quarterly updates on the progress and achievements of our loan originators. Investors can track their development in real-time — witnessing key milestones, meeting the project's leading figures, and following their traction live. This transparent approach allows investors to become an integral part of the project's journey.

How does Lonvest ensure responsible lending practices among its loan originators?

At Lonvest, we ensure responsible lending practices by relying on our trusted partners.All our loan originators are part of the Space Crew Finance Group, where a strict set of standards and a clear philosophy of responsible credit practices are followed.We have full confidence in our partners because their internal processes and ethical guidelines are aligned with our commitment to responsible investing opportunities. This integrated approach means that responsible investments are built into the very core of every opportunity available on our platform.

Some loan originators charge high interest rates to the end borrower. How do you view the ethical considerations of lending at these rates?

At Lonvest, we understand that high interest rates can be necessary to compensate for higher risk. However, it's important to note that Lonvest is an investment platform—not a lending company. We partner exclusively with loan originators within the Space Crew Finance Group, whose commitment to responsible lending is embedded in their operational standards. We ensure that all terms are communicated clearly and fairly to borrowers, while our buyback guarantee provides an added layer of protection for investors. Furthermore, we implement detailed monitoring procedures to ensure our partners comply with local regulatory requirements. This approach balances the need for competitive yields with ethical lending practices, ensuring that both borrowers and investors are treated fairly and responsibly.

How is Lonvest regulated and what does that mean to your investors?

We currently operate under Croatian jurisdiction, where platforms like ours can function without a formal license—a model also adopted by notable players in the field. This regulatory environment allows us to focus on what we do best: developing our IT products and driving our investment opportunities. While we are fully compliant with local requirements, obtaining a formal license is a key priority on our roadmap, ensuring even greater regulatory oversight and investor protection in the future.

What are the key milestones or goals you aim to achieve this year?

Our platform has now been operating for two years, and throughout this time, we have ensured that the supply of loan opportunities closely matches investor demand—meaning that only genuine investments in real loans are offered. During this period, we have successfully raised a significant amount in investments, underscoring the trust our community places in us. Looking ahead, our primary objectives for the present year are to expand the portfolio of investment opportunities, onboard two new trusted partners, and achieve a total investment sum of 6 million euros by the end of the calendar year. 

The successful completion of these goals will be a major milestone in demonstrating investor confidence in the platform. Moreover, there is an objective to improve the product and enhance its convenience for investors. These objectives are directed towards the continuous development of the investor experience in conjunction with the maintenance of robust safety standards.