The Distribution by Juniper Square

Brad Hargreaves, a media entrepreneur and founder of General Assembly, teams up with Paul Stanton, a capital markets expert, to explore the intersection of real estate, media, and innovation. They discuss Brad's entrepreneurial evolution and how it shaped his views on real estate. Paul reveals insights on Opco-Propco structures and the common pitfalls of merging venture capital with real estate. The duo emphasizes the necessity of education and storytelling in attracting investors, while also pondering future trends like AI's impact on the industry.

Bryan Thornton, a Partner at PCCP with 26 years of experience, shares insights from his extensive career in real estate investment. He discusses the transformation of PCCP from a California startup to a national firm and emphasizes the critical role of relationships in lending and equity investment. The conversation highlights the shift from traditional banks to private credit, the importance of transparency in partnerships, and how technology is reshaping the industry. Thornton also reflects on how a strong organizational culture drives success and fuels long-term growth.

In this episode of The Distribution, host Brandon Sedloff speaks with Trent Iliffe about his unconventional path from aspiring filmmaker to leading logistics and data center development across Asia. Trent reflects on his early career in industrial real estate, the founding of LŌ-GOI Group, and how he helped grow the platform into a major player in the region. He shares candid insights into navigating partnerships, raising institutional capital, and ultimately reshaping his focus toward logistics, data centers, and renewable energy. The conversation also explores the opportunities and challenges in emerging markets like India and Vietnam, and the importance of knowing what you don’t want to be as an entrepreneur. They discuss: Trent’s early career shift from film to industrial real estate The founding and evolution of Logos into a global logistics platform Launching LŌ-GOI Group with a focus on logistics, data centers, and renewable energy Market dynamics and growth opportunities in India and Vietnam Lessons in leadership, partnerships, and maintaining control as an entrepreneur Links: Trent on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-iliffe-81219573/ LŌ-GOI Group - https://lo-goigroup.com/ Topics: (00:00:00) - Intro (00:02:24) - Trent's early career: From film to industrial real estate (00:03:11) - Building a career in industrial real estate (00:04:07) - Venturing into China: Setting up industrial business (00:05:15) - The birth of LŌ-GOI Group: Convincing investors in Australia (00:17:07) - Expanding horizons: From Australia to China (00:18:38) - Navigating partnerships and growth (00:23:27) - The evolution of LŌ-GOI Group: From logistics to data centers (00:31:11) - Renewable energy ventures (00:32:30) - Investment strategies and challenges (00:35:50) - Market insights: India and Vietnam (00:39:06) - Vietnam's manufacturing boom (00:44:58) - India's economic transformation (00:47:14) - Investor profiles and market dynamics (00:54:57) - Lessons from an entrepreneurial journey (00:58:13) - Conclusion and contact information

Jonathan Glick, Managing Partner at Incubation Capital, shares his insights as a strategic capital advisor, reflecting on discussions from the REEL Conference. He emphasizes the necessity of adaptability and creativity in the evolving real estate cycle. Glick dives into trends like co-investments and AI's impact on investment strategies. Furthermore, he highlights the art of storytelling to attract capital and the importance of nurturing team culture for long-term success. Join their conversation on navigating today's market challenges and leveraging technology for growth.

Mit Shah, Founder & CEO of Noble Investment Group, shares his inspiring journey from his family's motel to leading a hospitality investment powerhouse. He highlights how resilience has shaped his business through crises like 9/11 and COVID, emphasizing lessons in hard work and teamwork. Shah discusses the rise of branded long-term accommodations and emerging opportunities in hospitality, urging investors to rethink traditional assumptions and embrace the sector's unique potential in meeting modern travel and living needs.

Scott Aleali, Head of Private Equity Finance at Citizens Private Bank and podcast host of Fund Fanatics, discusses his career trajectory from Silicon Valley Bank to his current role. He shares lessons learned from the banking collapses of SVB and First Republic, emphasizing the need for transparency and differentiation in private markets. Scott highlights innovative liquidity solutions for underserved middle market clients and his passion for podcasting, revealing how authentic content can foster connections in the finance sector.

Jay Parsons, a respected rental housing economist with years of industry experience, shares insights on the evolving rental market. He discusses his career path post-financial crisis and the unique dynamics of apartments versus single-family rentals. The conversation covers migration trends favoring the Sunbelt regions, the shift towards long-term investment strategies, and the impact of technology in enhancing the leasing experience. Parsons emphasizes the importance of monitoring supply and demand metrics for informed decision-making in this competitive landscape.

Cia Buckley Marakovits, President and CIO of Dune Real Estate Partners, shares her fascinating journey from corporate finance to real estate. She discusses the nuances of high-yield investing versus opportunistic approaches and highlights the ongoing deleveraging in the market. Cia emphasizes the power of relationships and diversity in driving investment success, while also candidly addressing loneliness in leadership. Her insights offer valuable lessons on capital markets and the evolving landscape for women in real estate.

Chris Merrill, Co-Founder and CEO of Harrison Street, shares his insights from a dynamic career in real estate. He discusses his early experiences as a pioneering investor in Central Europe and how they shaped his unique approach. Chris reveals the challenges he faced in promoting unconventional asset classes like student housing and healthcare. He emphasizes the power of building strong partnerships with operators and the strategic shift towards infrastructure investments, highlighting the importance of innovation and a long-term mindset in achieving success.

Len O'Donnell, CEO and Chairman of Affinius Capital, shares his journey from the unexpected world of industrial chemical sales to leading a $60 billion real estate investment firm. He emphasizes the importance of historical insights in shaping leadership and business strategies. The discussion highlights the evolution of USAA Real Estate, co-investment growth, and the significance of data centers as vital to the economy. Len also reflects on the power of patience during mergers and the future of strategic partnerships in reshaping digital infrastructure.