Lightstone Creates RE Incubator Fund

Lichtenstein: “As a company, we pride ourselves on trying to do something differently.”

NEW YORK CITY—Got a bright real estate industry idea? A new fund could bring your idea to fruition. Lightstone has launched an incubator fund to support “innovative real estate-focused investment opportunities,” which it is soliciting through a national advertising campaign. The effort is focused on New York City, Lightstone chairman and CEO David Lichtenstein tells GlobeSt.com. In announcing the fund, the firm reports it is well-positioned to provide capital to real estate entrepreneurs who have great ideas but lack the connections and expertise to successfully bring them to market. “Most of the stuff we’re involved in today are incubator concepts, such as the Moxy, a micro-hotel run through Marriott’s reservation system with small, high-tech guest rooms and great communal spaces. We’re the first company to bring Moxy to the market.” In Orlando, he continues, “We took a 400,000-square-foot shopping center and put in 200 local vendors to open their own stores. Called Artegon, it’s a new concept of a mall. As a company, we pride ourselves on trying to do something differently.” Ideal projects will range in size from $1 million to $50 million, and potential ideas will be vetted by a team of researchers and analysts to determine their feasibility, scope and market need. Adds Lichtenstein, “We want people to know that when they see an opportunity for investment, they can turn to us not only as a source of funding, but as a trusted and reliable partner.” Lightstone will entertain real estate-focused proposals that may range from development opportunities, to bringing disruptive technology to the industry, to expanding the company’s footprint into a new market. Those with ideas for consideration should contact Moshe Lichtenstein at [email protected] or Sanford Blumenthal at [email protected]. “We are always looking for big ideas that have big potential,” says Lichtenstein. “This unique investment approach ensures that Lightstone has the procedures in place to capitalize on exciting opportunities.”