22 OPPORTUNITY ZONE MAGAZINE | VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1
HOW INVESTORS CAN USE CRE CROWDFUNDING TO SUCCESSFULLY SOURCE EQUITY FOR OZ DEVELOPMENTS
changes everything when it comes to how long you need to plan before breaking ground on a new development project . As an added benefit , the crowdfunding platform also facilitates the backend reporting and distributions to every investor in each deal . This alleviates the asset-management headache and allows you to focus on the execution of the deal .
It has been said many times that CRE crowdfunding can be considered as “ private equity for the people .” These platforms can democratize real estate investing in a way that has never been done before , and that is very exciting for the future of development projects .
Commercial real estate has traditionally fallen well behind other more innovative industries when it comes to the adoption of new and disruptive technologies , but there is no question that crowdfunding is here to stay in 2021 and beyond . Any serious sponsor should strongly consider this approach as they look for more creative ways to raise capital for their new projects in the current environment .
Sean Lyons is a partner and co-founder of Jackson Dearborn Partners . His primary areas of focus include fundraising , investor relations , and marketing . Sean has over 20 years of experience , including as a real estate broker for the last 18 years during which he participated in well over $ 1 billion in real-estate transactions .
Ever since he joined Jackson Dearborn Partners in 2017 , the firm has made over $ 100M in acquisitions and 11 development projects , totaling over $ 300M , in total capitalization .
Lyons is originally from Philadelphia and is a graduate of Boston College . He lives in Wilmette , IL , with his wife Gretchen and their four children .
OPPORTUNITYZONE . COM