About Us

Alternative assets have long been a critical part of the investment strategy for the wealthy and for institutions like university endowments. They’re used both to diversify risk away from stocks and bonds and into things like real estate, as well as to add the potential of big gains from exposure to things like venture capital.

But those kind of investments also play a vital role in fueling the entrepreneurism that has always been the beating heart of innovation and job creation in our economy. Maybe it’s the fabled garage startup looking to fund a disruptive new technology. Or perhaps a real estate developer willing to transform a dilapidated property into sorely needed new housing and office space. So many of the projects that help keep our economy and our communities growing and vibrant depend on financing in one form or another.

And when the supply of that financing is restricted to a few wealthy institutions and VC firms, then whole categories of projects and companies that don’t fit their mold simply can’t find the financing they need, choking the growth and renewal our economy depends on.

Leveling the Playing Field

In 2012, the JOBS Act was signed into law, ushering in a new era for for matching investors with people and companies looking for funding. Now the same disruptive forces that have lowered costs and opened up information throughout other parts of our economy are transforming alternative investing and business financing, helping to shape a healthier and more diverse economy for everyone.

Real estate, venture capital, private equity, commercial debt, personal loans, and litigation financing are just a few of the options in this rapidly growing ecosystem of alternative investments now available to regular investors, in some cases starting with just $50. But that also means a lot of new terms to learn, risks to understand, and choices to make.

The Fine Print

This is a fantastic time to be an amateur investor, but of course YMMV (your mileage may vary). I’m a big fan of placing lots of small bets as a way to both diversify risk and to maximize learning, and before you put your hard-earned money into any alternative investments, keep the following in mind:

Don’t risk what you can’t afford to lose, especially when you’re just starting out.
If you have any consumer credit debt (credit card, auto loan) you should pay that off before putting any money into alternative investments.
Most alternatives are relatively illiquid investments, which means that if you’re going to need the money anytime soon, put it in the bank instead.
Risk and reward fall on a spectrum: you won’t hit a home run with P2P loans, but you’ll earn cash interest payments every month, which is fun. On the other hand, with a venture investment you’re unlikely to see any of your money for years (if ever), but there’s at least a small chance that one of those investments will be the next Facebook.
Most people, most of the time, should have most of their money (especially their retirement savings) in a diversified mix of stocks and bonds using low-cost index funds.
Nothing on this website constitutes specific legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult a professional if you need help with your particular situation.

Want to learn more but aren’t sure where to start? You can explore 168 crowdfunding investment platforms in our database and learn more about the nuts and bolts of crowdfunding and alternative investing on our blog. Did you know you can use a self-directed retirement account to invest in many alternative investments? Rocket Dollar makes it easy, and when you sign up using that link you'll be helping to support YieldTalk.

EquityMultiple

Outstanding

EquityMultiple stands out among real estate crowdfunding investment platforms because their main investors and senior leadership come from institutional real estate finance, rather than being VC-funded. Seed funding for the company was provided by Mission Capital (later acquired by Marcus & Millichap) and their co-founders and board of advisors come from the New York real estate finance and law community. They offer fewer investments than some other platforms, but that’s a deliberate choice to take a more curatorial approach to dealflow. Overall, EquityMultiple is a solid choice for accredited investors looking for a hands-off way to invest in commercial real estate.

"Gain exclusive access to high-yield commercial real estate deals"

First National Realty Partners

Excellent

First National Realty Partners (FNRP) is a commercial real estate private equity firm that focuses on grocery-anchored commercial shopping centers, offering both investments in individual properties and an Opportunity Fund across all of their offerings.

"First National Realty Partners (FNRP) is a rapidly growing commercial real estate private equity firm that owns and operates real estate throughout the United States. FNRP focuses on expanding its portfolio by acquiring market-dominant, well-located commercial assets well below replacement cost. "

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