Ethex, a capital-raising platform for charities and social enterprises, has launched.

Jamie Hartzell, managing director of Ethex, said it will bring together a wide range of social investment opportunities onto one platform, and will make investment into charities and social enterprises easy to understand and easy to do.

Ethex, which is a not-for-profit, currently lists bond and share offers from Bristol Credit Union, Charity Bank and Golden Lane Housing. It focuses on raising small amounts from a large number of investors.

Hartzell said the aim of the service was to allow anybody to invest directly into social businesses and charities, not just high net worth individuals or brokers.

Hartzell also said the Ethex would help organisations design investment products and manage investor payments.