RealConnex, a platform connecting real estate pros with projects and each other, raises $3.5 million | TechCrunch

March 9, 2017March 9, 2017 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

RealConnex, a four-year-old, Miami and New York-based platform connecting real estate professionals to capital, investments, and services, has raised $3.5 million in strategic funding led by Silver Portal Capital, a San Diego-based real estate investment and merchant banking firm.

The round is part of a much bigger trend of startups working to change how properties are built, bought, and sold — and investors are funding their vision. In fact, according to the research firm CB Insights, real estate tech companies have raised almost $6.4 billion in funding across 817 deals since 2012.

How Small, Local Businesses Can Reach New Investors And Keep Dollars In Communities | Fastcoexist.com

March 2, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Small, local businesses lack access to capital. Banks will place restrictions before giving loans, like asking for collateral, wanting to see years of revenues, or asking for personal covenants. And then venture and angel investors aren’t interested in the low-rate returns hairdressers, restaurants and furniture-makers can offer; they want “high growth.”

That is why small, local businesses generally stay as small, local businesses. But what if small businesses could reach over the top of those market failures to the general public and investors who are willing to suffer the relatively low returns on offer? That might open up options.