MetaProp NYC, the global nexus of real estate and technology, announced today that Elie Finegold, a long-time entrepreneur and global property executive, has joined the PropTech investment, advisory and startup acceleration firm as Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR).
In his role as MetaProp’s EIR, Mr. Finegold will guide and advise MetaProp startups on strategy, investments, research and business development by leveraging his executive experiences and deep technology and real estate industry networks. In addition, he will act as a global ambassador for the MetaProp brand.
“Elie is one of the pioneers of US PropTech,” said Aaron Block, MetaProp Founding Partner and Managing Director. “He has had more success as an entrepreneur and intrapreneur than most people achieve in a lifetime. We’ve respected Elie’s work for years and are thrilled that he is now spending more time with MetaProp’s operating businesses, portfolio companies and global partners.”
Mr. Finegold’s experience includes his most recent role leading innovation globally for CBRE (NYSE:CBRE) as SVP of Global Innovation and Business Intelligence. In that role, he founded and led CBRE Labs and assisted the company in strategic technology investments and partnerships both internally and with the burgeoning startup space. He was a founding board member of CRE//Tech Intersect. Mr. Finegold has spoken and been covered widely, including at the Wharton Zell-Lurie institute, on the intersection of real estate and technology.
Prior to CBRE, Mr. Finegold was on the founding team, and was a partner, Managing Director, and Chief Administrative Officer of Island Capital Group (ICG), a leading real estate investment banking company. During his tenure he was also President of an ICG subsidiary, Island Global Yachting (or IGY Marinas), the world’s leading developer, owner and operator of luxury yacht marinas and waterfront lifestyle developments. He led IGY Marinas to the deployment of more than $1.5 billion in capital around the world, helping it grow to nearly 1,000 employees. Mr. Finegold also previously served as Chief Innovation Officer of Insignia Financial Group (formerly NYSE:IFS), overseeing its portfolio of technology investments and innovation strategy across the company. In that role he was also the Chairman of Octane, a technology-focused consortium of leading global real estate services firms. Earlier in his career, Mr. Finegold was co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Cubitz.com until its acquisition by Insignia. Previously he was the founder and CEO of Syncretic Media.
Mr. Finegold graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University in a concentration he designed, Music and Culture. His honors thesis was awarded the prestigious Hoopes Prize and was published by Harvard Library Press.
About MetaProp
MetaProp is the world’s premier real estate technology nexus. Based in the heart of Manhattan’s Silicon Alley, the 22-week MetaProp Accelerator @ Columbia University, the 20-week international MetaProp Bridge @ Columbia University and 8-week MetaProp Pre-Accelerator at Columbia University are the leading programs for high growth PropTech startups. Each year, up to 25 of the best technology driven real estate industry ideas are selected to participate in intensive education, mentorship and growth hacking programs, culminating in exclusive Graduation Defense panels and Road Show Demo Days for partners, investors, VCs and media. Founded in 2015, the accelerator boasts 100+ mentors, 10 renowned corporate partners and widespread media coverage from the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Forbes, TechCrunch, Inman, EG, Nikkei, and more. MetaProp's team and strategic seed stage funds have invested in 80+ technology companies across the real estate value chain. The companies have raised more than $2 billion and employ 1,500+ people globally. MetaProp Advisors provides strategic advisory services, corporate development support, communications, event management and market research for real estate companies that are serious about innovation. In addition, MetaProp Advisors produces New York City Real Estate Tech Week and the MIPIM PropTech New York Summit; The MetaPropCast podcasts, and also publishes the Global PropTech Confidence Index.
