A.CRE Consulting Podcast

Lessons from a Serial PropTech Entrepreneur: Chris Moreno on Infinite Niches & Investing in CRE Tech

Episode 12: Lessons from a Serial PropTech Entrepreneur: Chris Moreno on Infinite Niches & Investing in CRE Tech In this episode, Chris Moreno, CEO of Infinite Niches, joins host Michael Belasco for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, PropTech, and the future of real estate innovation. Chris, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host, has successfully built and sold three companies and is known for identifying high-growth opportunities in PropTech and real estate. Chris shares his unconventional journey—from selling mistletoe as a kid to co-founding Luxer One, a company that revolutionized package locker logistics in multifamily real estate. He also discusses what separates winning companies from failing ones, why marketing trumps product, and how surrounding yourself with the right "spiky" people can accelerate success. If you're looking for insights on scaling businesses, real estate technology trends, and unconventional investment strategies, this episode is packed with golden nuggets. Key Takeaways: - Scaling from Zero to $100M+ – How Chris built and sold three successful companies. - Why Marketing is greater than Product – The counterintuitive truth about what makes a startup succeed. - PropTech & Innovation – What emerging real estate technologies are poised to disrupt the industry. - The Power of "Spiky" Teams – How the right mix of talent, grit, and creativity drives winning businesses. - Navigating Market Cycles – Why real estate and tech investors need long-term vision to succeed. Related Topics for Further Exploration: - The Evolution of PropTech – How logistics, AI, and automation are reshaping real estate. - Entrepreneurship & Grit – Lessons from scaling a startup in a skeptical market. - Finding the Right Business Niche – Why hyper-specialization can be a game-changer. Guest Information: - Chris Moreno is the CEO of Infinite Niches, a successful entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host with 20+ years in real estate, PropTech, and enterprise growth. He has built and sold three companies, including Luxer One, which redefined package logistics for multifamily real estate. Chris is also the host of The Multifamily Hangout Podcast and an active leader in NMHC, ULI, NAHREP, and NAA. Connect with Chris: Website: Infinite Niches [https://www.goinfiniteniches.com/] Podcast: The Multifamily Hangout [https://www.themultifamilyhangout.com] LinkedIn: Chris Moreno [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismoreno/]

Reinventing Office Real Estate: The Art of Revitalizing Office Buildings with Hospitality & Design

Episode 11: Reinventing Office Real Estate: The Art of Revitalizing Office Buildings with Hospitality & Design In this episode, Matt Legge, Principal at Polaris Developments Group, and Brian Tolman, Co-Founder & Principal at Origin, join host Michael Belasco to explore the future of office real estate and how hospitality-driven experiences are reshaping the workplace. With extensive backgrounds in private equity real estate, office development, and award-winning architecture, Matt and Brian discuss how distressed office assets can be repositioned and revitalized into vibrant, high-experience workplaces that attract and retain top tenants in a post-WFH era. They share insights from their landmark redevelopment of the Northstar Center in Minneapolis, a 1.6 million-square-foot mixed-use transformation, and discuss how landlords can move beyond static amenities to create profitable, revenue-generating spaces that redefine office culture. Key Takeaways: - The Office of the Future – Why successful office projects will blend hospitality, design, and curated experiences. - Beyond Amenity Wars – How landlords can transform amenities into revenue-generating businesses instead of cost burdens. - Case Study: Northstar Center – How a historic office asset was repositioned with flex space, hospitality services, and a curated tenant experience. - Creating Tenant Demand – Why fully serviced, hospitality-infused workspaces are outperforming traditional office models. - The Role of Design & Operations – How thoughtful, high-touch design and service-driven experiences are shaping the next generation of office buildings. Related Topics for Further Exploration: - The Amenity Revolution – How office landlords are rethinking food & beverage, flex space, and experiential design. - Office Market Distress & Opportunity – Why repositioning older assets is a key strategy in a challenging CRE landscape. - Flexible Workspaces & Membership Models – The rise of curated, hotel-like office experiences. Guest Information: - Matt Legge is the Principal at Polaris Developments Group, specializing in high-complexity real estate investments that revitalize distressed assets through entrepreneurial solutions. He has led over $3B in development & redevelopment projects across North America. - Brian Tolman is the Co-Founder & Principal at Origin, an award-winning architect and designer focused on blurring the lines between hospitality, workplace, and experience-driven environments. Previously, he was Managing Principal at STUDIOS Architecture and Founder of Convene Design Group. Spotlight: Access Matt Legge's LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-legge-5630044/] Access Brian Tolman's LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/btolman/]

The Hidden Gem of CRE Finance: Ina Montejo on Why More Developers Are Turning to CPACE

Episode 10: The Hidden Gem of CRE Finance: Ina Montejo on Why More Developers Are Turning to CPACE In this episode, Ina Montejo, Assistant Vice President of Originations at PACE Loan Group, breaks down C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing—a flexible, non-recourse, and fixed-rate funding option that is transforming the way real estate projects secure capital. Ina shares how developers and investors are leveraging C-PACE financing to fill gaps in their capital stacks, reduce borrowing costs, and even unlock retroactive funding for projects completed within the last few years. She also discusses the impact of ESG and energy-efficiency mandates, how counties are adopting C-PACE programs, and real-world examples—including the $35M financing of Gateway Studios in St. Louis, a world-class music rehearsal venue. If you're struggling to make a deal pencil or looking for a creative way to structure your financing, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: - How C-PACE Works – The fundamentals of C-PACE financing and its eligibility criteria. - Lowering the Cost of Capital – How developers use C-PACE to blend down their borrowing costs. - Retroactive C-PACE – Unlocking liquidity for completed projects by reimbursing energy-efficient upgrades. - Filling Financing Gaps – How C-PACE is stepping in as a quasi-senior lender to bridge stalled projects. - ESG & Sustainability – Why C-PACE aligns with green building initiatives and energy mandates. Related Topics for Further Exploration: - How C-PACE compares to mezzanine debt and preferred equity as a financing tool. - Expanding C-PACE adoption – The role of local governments in approving C-PACE programs. - The future of ESG-driven financing and its impact on commercial real estate. Guest Information: Ina Montejo is the Assistant Vice President of Originations at PACE Loan Group, specializing in C-PACE financing solutions for commercial real estate. With prior experience at Twain Financial Partners, MG Properties, and Swift Real Estate Partners, she brings deep expertise in loan origination, underwriting, and closing. Ina also serves as Chair for CREW San Diego's Emerging Leaders and is an active member of ULI San Diego and NAIOP San Diego. Explore the C-PACE eligibility map mentioned in this episode: PACE Loan Group Website [https://paceloangroup.com/] Spotlight: Ina Motejo's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/inamontejo/]

Revolutionizing CRE Data: Royden Cooper's Journey from Developer to PropTech Founder

Episode 9: Revolutionizing CRE Data: Royden Cooper's Journey from Developer to PropTech Founder In this episode, Royden Cooper, Co-Founder and CEO of Epum, shares his journey from commercial real estate developer to launching a venture-backed proptech startup. Royden explains how geospatial AI and satellite imagery are transforming real estate research, allowing investors, developers, and analysts to track urban growth and identify market trends faster than ever before. Epum's latest product, ApprovalsArchive, offers a God's-eye view of commercial real estate entitlements, helping industry professionals stay ahead of new developments, rezoning efforts, and construction trends across the U.S. Royden also opens up about the challenges of building a proptech company, the lessons learned from raising venture capital in Europe, and why real estate needs more professionals who truly understand the industry. Key Takeaways: - How Geospatial AI is Changing CRE – The role of AI-driven mapping in real estate research. - ApprovalsArchive: A Game-Changer – How Epum's new tool helps investors track entitlements and urban growth. - Building a Proptech Startup – Lessons from Royden's journey in funding, scaling, and leading a data-driven real estate company. - Future Trends in CRE Tech – Why access to real-time entitlement data is becoming a competitive advantage. Related Topics for Further Exploration: - The intersection of geospatial AI and real estate investment strategies. - How real-time entitlement tracking can give investors an edge in emerging markets. - The future of AI-driven property analysis and its impact on deal sourcing. Guest Information: Royden Cooper is the Co-Founder and CEO of Epum, a venture-backed proptech startup leveraging geospatial AI and satellite data to revolutionize commercial real estate research. A former commercial real estate developer, Royden transitioned into data science to tackle inefficiencies in CRE research. His latest product, ApprovalsArchive, launched in early 2025, helps users track zoning changes, entitlements, and new developments at the parcel level across the U.S. Spotlight: Access Epum's website here [https://www.epum.com/] Access Royden Cooper's LinkedIn here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/roydenepum/] Check out Royden's co-founder, Marvin Mc Cutchan's academic papers on this link [https://scholar.google.at/citations?user=bhGiHU0AAAAJ&hl=de]

Innovative Lending Strategies with Charles Farnsworth of 1892 Capital Partners

Episode 8: Innovative Lending Strategies with Charles Farnsworth of 1892 Capital Partners In this episode, Charles Farnsworth, Fund Director at 1892 Capital Partners, shares how his family office bridges the gap in private lending, focusing on unique asset classes like RV parks, car washes, and entitlement loans. With over 30 years in real estate finance and private lending, Charles provides insights into how 1892 Capital Partners' flexible underwriting process, long-term focus, and regional expertise stand apart from traditional lenders. Learn how creative capital stacks, collateral-first strategies, and a relationship-focused approach enable them to finance projects that traditional banks overlook. Key Takeaways: - Flexibility Beyond Traditional Lending: How 1892 Capital Partners customizes loan terms and focuses on long-term value creation. - Creative Financing: The role of innovative underwriting for unconventional assets like RV parks and entitlement loans. - Lessons in Relationship Building: How authentic, value-driven connections create long-lasting opportunities in real estate finance. Related Topics for Further Exploration: - How family offices differ from institutional lenders in their approach to risk and legacy planning. - Exploring niche asset classes: Opportunities and challenges in financing alternative projects. - Best practices for structuring a winning proposal for private lenders. Guest Information: Charles Farnsworth manages the private lending arm at 1892 Capital Partners, a family office focused on bridging the gap in private lending for underserved markets. With a background in corporate banking, wealth management, and secured debt portfolios, Charles leverages decades of experience to fuel innovative real estate investment strategies. Spotlight: Charles Farnsworth's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesmfarnsworth-a387743b/] 1892 Capital's Website [https://www.1892capital.com/]