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Who stands behind the Maclear P2P lending platform

5 min read

You’ve kept asking us to share more about Maclear — the team behind the platform, the journey of its development, and the story of its launch. So, the time has come, and here we go — revealing how it all started and what we have now.

*blowing away the dust*

Back in 2019, when the pandemic hit the world, Alexander Nikitin and Denis Ustjev started to seek opportunities to support small and medium-sized businesses struggling to stay afloat and needing additional financing during such an unstable time. With extensive experience in investing, business consulting, and project development, they united around a shared vision: creating a crowdlending platform that would be transparent, user-friendly, and well-regulated. Their goal was to connect Swiss and EU investors with a diverse range of EU-based businesses in need of additional financing, offering an efficient and accessible alternative to conventional bank loans.

In 2020, they turned this vision into reality by acquiring Maclear AG, a company previously focused on developing complex GRC software solutions. Under their leadership, Maclear was reprofiled into a new venture, supported by a growing team of highly skilled professionals with years of experience.

Our journey began with the first fundraising campaign in August 2023. Maclear started working with business projects in the Baltic countries. Through time and teamwork, we have successfully expanded our reach to neighboring EU countries, offering a wider range of opportunities to our investors.

Today, Maclear stands as a reliable P2P lending platform powered by complex and unique software, including built-in risk assessment tools and a robust scoring model. As a Swiss-based company, we operate under Swiss financial regulations and legislation. Maclear AG is also a proud member of PolyReg SRO, regulated and monitored by Swiss financial authorities. This status enables us to act as a financial intermediary in the non-banking sector both within and from Switzerland. Swiss regulation imposes stringent standards on Compliance, AML, KYC, GDPR, and related areas. These norms prioritize investor protection and ensure awareness of both existing and potential risks.

Among the key executives of Macler AG are:

Denis Ustjev
Maclear’s CEO and co-founder, Denis Ustjev, is a key driver of the platform’s success. He oversees due diligence and risk assessment, ensuring that every project added to the platform undergoes a thorough review in cooperation with an AML officer. Denis also plays a vital role in Maclear’s strategic growth and represents the company at industry events.

With years of experience in business consulting, capital investment, business loan management, and banking, Denis brings a wealth of practical knowledge. He has held various senior management roles in multinational companies, gaining hands-on experience in resolving complex challenges across Estonia, Azerbaijan, and the United States. 

Aleksandr Lang (Aleksandr Nikitin)
Aleksandr Nikitin, Maclear’s co-founder and Chief Financial Officer, leads the company’s financial strategy and business development. He drives growth by expanding into new markets, identifying promising projects, and maintaining Maclear’s financial stability.

As CFO, Aleksander oversees financial reporting and accounting, actively participates in project selection and monitoring, and ensures risk assessment practices are implemented. His commitment to quality ensures that only the most promising projects make it onto our platform.

With a strong background in foreign trade and industrial ventures, Aleksander brings extensive expertise to Maclear. His robust professional network, particularly in Estonia, creates exceptional opportunities for our investors.

Dimitri Timoshkin
Maclear’s Chief Product Officer, Dimitri Timoshkin, works mostly in cooperation with Aleksandr to handle operational tasks daily and ensure the platform runs seamlessly and efficiently. He also represents Maclear at business events and helps expand our professional network. 

With extensive experience in management and a deep understanding of complex regulatory landscapes, leadership focuses on sustainability and investor satisfaction. Dimitri continues to drive our platform to new heights, ensuring its success and growth in a competitive landscape.

Alexej Martin
Our AML Officer, Alexej Martin, is a skilled lawyer with expertise in banking and financial markets law, including capital and licensing requirements. In addition to his role at Maclear, Alexej serves as a Relationship Manager at MBaer Merchant Bank AG in Zürich, where he oversees critical areas such as KYC, due diligence, pre-compliance checks, and onboarding procedures for new clients.

His deep knowledge and dual roles enhance the transparency and risk management of our platform, strengthening its credibility and reliability for all stakeholders.

Nataliya Huk
Maclear’s second CFO, Nataliya Huk, oversees all aspects of the company’s finances, including financial accounting and reporting standards. With over 15 years of professional experience in Switzerland as a consultant and CFO for a mid-sized company, Nataliya ensures the smooth operation of Maclear’s financial functions and continuously elevates its standards to new heights.

Together, we are not just joining the European P2P crowdlending market — we are transforming it. By tackling challenges head-on and setting a new standard for the industry, we aim to redefine what’s possible.

Thank you for trusting Maclear and supporting us in building a secure and efficient P2P lending platform!