NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When it comes to funding minority entrepreneurs, only 1 percent goes to Black founders. With only 2 percent of investment professionals being Black, one private equity firm seeks to change the face of the industry. Today, East Chop Capital, a Black-owned private equity firm, announces the successful closing of its inaugural $4 million fund. The fund was created to capitalize on the thriving $113 billion global vacation rental market.
East Chop Capital was founded in 2018 by experienced entrepreneurs and real estate developers, Calvin L. Butts, Jr., and Carrington M. Carter. The firm seeks to expand access to capital and other resources for Black, women, and minority entrepreneurs, while also building generational wealth for its investors.
“Our firm was created to help accredited investors build wealth and gain exposure to private investments that they may not have access to,” says Butts, Jr. “East Chop Capital’s first fund exposes our investors to the travel and hospitality industry via luxury vacation rental homes, by owning and operating homes in places like Martha's Vineyard, Hilton Head, Gatlinburg, Orlando, and several other markets that we will expand to in 2021.”
Serving as the marketing and management company for their $10 million portfolio, in which they generate seven-figure revenues, Getaway Society, the pair’s luxury vacation rental brand delights thousands of guests each year as they travel with family, friends, and every combination in between.
“As avid travelers, Getaway Society and our vacation rental home fund gave Calvin and I the opportunity to build a business based on something we both love, which is travel,” said Carter, general partner, East Chop Capital, and co-founder, Getaway Society. “As experienced entrepreneurs, we know the value of investors. Nurturing these relationships and having their support is what enabled us to build a $10 million real estate portfolio in just five years. Raising $4 million and closing this fund is a huge accomplishment for us. This new capital infusion will allow us to double the value of our portfolio over the next six months. We will continue to do the work needed to close the wealth gap by leveraging private equity to grow minority-owned businesses and generate strong returns for our investors.”
The broader vision of East Chop Capital is to be a different type of private equity firm by disrupting the traditional model. In fact, East Chop Capital’s commitment is to provide the best combined financial, educational, and social returns. They do this by executing on their fund’s objectives, but also by hosting investor retreats, providing learning and professional development opportunities, and even helping investors analyze other deals that they may be considering.
According to Carter, “There is a huge ‘soft ROI’ benefit for our investors, as the network that we created has fostered some phenomenal relationships. The network is also an amazing resource for all of us to make smarter investments together and individually. We are extremely humbled and proud of the support by our nearly 80 investors who helped us reach this $4 million milestone. We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of what we can accomplish when we work together.”
The future is promising for East Chop Capital. Current investors are requesting a larger vacation rental home fund that covers more locations across the U.S. In 2021, the co-founders will launch a debt fund that will provide first-position real estate debt financing to minority real estate investors and developers who are typically underserved by traditional financing. There is also a larger fund being planned that will support the next generation of Black, women, and minority entrepreneurs across a variety of industries.
To learn more about East Chop Capital, visit eastchopcapital.com.
About East Chop Capital
East Chop Capital was founded by Calvin L. Butts, Jr. and Carrington M. Carter in 2018, borne from the idea and necessity of working together—pooling the resources of many, to accomplish much more than individuals can on their own. Lack of access to capital is a top hurdle for businesses and entrepreneurs, especially minority-owned businesses. East Chop Capital is working to eliminate that disparity and is dedicated to providing resources to the businesses that need them, from seed to late-stage companies. For investors, their commitment is to provide the best combined financial, educational, and social returns.
East Chop is a residential area in the town of Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Calvin and Carrington fell in love with the island due to its natural beauty, rich history, sense of community, and being known as a place where one can enjoy the simpler things in life. The logo was inspired by the East Chop Lighthouse, which stands prominently on top of Telegraph Hill.
