HVS Capital Corp, a real estate company for hospitality investment banking solution, and iFunding, a crowdfunding platform that makes real estate investing simple, announce a strategic alliance to expand financing for hospitality real estate projects. HVS Capital will use the crowdfunding platform to expand the investor base for hospitality real estate, while the iFunding will rely on HVSCC exclusively to underwrite its crowdfunded hotel, resort and timeshare deals.
In addition to the collaboration on hospitality real estate crowdfunding, iFunding welcomes William Sipple, Executive Managing Director of HVSCC, to iFunding’s advisory board. Bill Sipple contributes over 30 years experience in hotel development, finance, valuation and operations to the collaboration and board. He has worked for, or advised, top hospitality brands including Regent International, Carlson Hotels (including Radisson & Park Plaza) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.
Sipple’s team at HVSCC serves institutional and high net-worth investors, developers and management/ownership companies, with services including:
- Investment sales and acquisitions of hotel and mixed-use properties;
- Capital markets advisory services for securing project debt and equity; and
- Deal structuring, including financial analysis, due diligence, and deal closing.
Sipple stated, “In an effort to utilize today’s cutting edge technologies, HVS Capital is thrilled to align ourselves with this new and reliable source of equity and debt capital, in what we call the democratization of real estate capital.” He added, “Crowdfunding can be an excellent source of funding, well-suited to fill a recognized void in smaller- to medium-sized hotel transactions. It is cost-effective and can be used for gap equity, mezzanine financing and bridge loans in particular.”
CEO of iFunding, William Skelley, noted: “We are finding interest from property developers and real estate investors alike in the hospitality sector. Our investors have inquired about opportunities in boutique hotel developments, marquee hotels and resorts, and active living communities. Crowdfunding investors like the option of being able to invest in hospitality properties, but expect the depth of underwriting and advisory capabilities that HVS Capital Corp brings to every deal. That’s why I’m confident that our exclusive reliance on HVSCC for hospitality underwriting will drive more crowdfunding interest, well-positioned properties, and quality investment outcomes.”
