Capitalizarme

Capitalizarme operates as a real estate marketplace, connecting aspiring investors with curated property investment opportunities. The company was established in Chile in 2013 by founder and CEO Gabriel Cid, who, after two previous entrepreneurial ventures in the real estate sector, identified a need to simplify property investment for the general public. He was later joined by co-founders Francisco Ackermann, Paolo Colonnello, and Luis Fuentes. Cid's journey began after moving to Santiago from Coquimbo, immersing himself in the burgeoning startup ecosystem and recognizing the traditional, unchanging nature of the real estate industry. Ackermann, an industrial engineer with a master's in innovation and entrepreneurship, brought his expertise in financial education, later becoming a prominent influencer in the field.

The firm's business model is centered on earning a commission from real estate developers for each property sold through its platform, eliminating fees for the buyer. Capitalizarme targets individuals, often first-time investors, looking to build wealth through rental income and property appreciation. The platform functions as an intermediary, curating a selection of investment properties—primarily apartments—and providing support throughout the transaction process, from selection to securing financing and managing the property. A key differentiator is that users can initiate and complete transactions directly on the platform, a feature not common among property listing sites. The company focuses on properties in a specific price range, which it considers ideal for investment, allowing for a more specialized and efficient business model.

Since its inception, Capitalizarme has achieved significant milestones. After starting with an initial US$40,000 from investors of a previous venture, the company was generating revenue from its first month. By 2017, it had raised a total of US$2.5 million from backers including Aurus Capital, Grupo Bethia, and Mountain Nazca. A subsequent funding round in 2022, led by Angel Ventures, secured an additional US$6 million to fuel expansion into Mexico. The company reported US$7 million in revenue on US$180 million in transactions in 2021. Capitalizarme has also made strategic acquisitions, including the real estate portal GoPlaceIt in 2022, to strengthen its market position. The firm has expanded its services to include fractional ownership and has developed what it calls the first Global Distribution System (GDS) for the real estate industry, aggregating a wide range of property assets into a single marketplace.

Keywords: real estate marketplace, property investment, proptech, financial education, real estate brokerage, investment platform, fractional ownership, real estate technology, Latin America real estate, investment properties, rental income, property management, Gabriel Cid, Francisco Ackermann, real estate financing, online property transaction, real estate assets, investment opportunities, Chilean startup