Is 2026 the year of the retail investor?
Or the year private markets come out of the shadows? Perhaps it is both.

Over recent weeks we have seen a clear convergence of two conversations that have often run in parallel but rarely met.

On the one hand, growing momentum behind retail participation in investment – reflected in the continued evolution of crowdfunding, direct investing and new engagement models. On the other, renewed efforts to open up private markets, highlighted by recent announcements from the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association and the launch of the Private Markets Forum.

This convergence matters.

A recent post from UKCFA member Crowdcube captures this shift well – pointing to a future where private companies, growth capital and long-term value creation are no longer the preserve of institutions alone, but are increasingly shaped by engaged, informed retail investors.

At the UK Crowdfunding Association’s first Members’ Meeting of the year, the discussion focused squarely on how we can work together to make this future real:

• building confidence and trust in private market investing
• ensuring appropriate standards, transparency and consumer outcomes
• creating pathways that work for retail investors, platforms, issuers and institutions alike
• and making sure innovation in regulation, market structure and product design moves with – not against – this direction of travel

For UKCFA members, this is not a theoretical debate. It goes to the heart of our role in shaping a more inclusive, resilient and effective investment ecosystem – one where private markets are better understood, better governed and genuinely accessible.

If 2026 is the year these two worlds meet, collaboration across our sector will determine whether that moment is fully realised.

We look forward to continuing this conversation with members, policymakers and partners across the market.