Harrison LeFrak startup investments show how an experienced real estate investor can help new technology companies grow. Harrison LeFrak is the Vice Chairman of LeFrak, a privately owned company involved in real estate and other investments. His work also connects him to the world of startup funding.
One publicly confirmed personal investment is Addepar, a financial technology company. Other startups, including Dealpath, Jetty, and Kojo, have received funding from LeFrak or its related investment companies.
These investments cover different types of technology, from software that helps people manage buildings to tools that make financial work easier. However, not every investment made by the LeFrak company is a personal investment by Harrison LeFrak.
This article explains the publicly reported investments, the companies involved, how their technology works, and the investment approach behind them.
Who Is Harrison LeFrak?
Harrison T. LeFrak is the Vice Chairman of LeFrak. He has been a principal of the family business since 1997.
Alongside its real estate activities, the company invests in new businesses. Its investment partners support startups in many industries and at different stages of growth.
Harrison LeFrak is also listed as an advisor to 8VC, a venture capital firm that invests in technology companies. This gives him a publicly documented connection to the wider startup investment community.
How Harrison LeFrak Startup Investments Work
A startup is a young company that is trying to develop a product or service and grow its business. Many startups need outside money to hire workers, build products, and find customers.
LeFrak’s investment companies provide money to businesses at different stages. They may invest when a business is very young or when it has already grown and needs more funding.
LeFrak also says it can hold investments for a long time without setting a fixed date to sell them. This gives the company flexibility when supporting growing businesses.
There is one important difference to understand. Harrison LeFrak can make personal investments, while LeFrak and its related companies can make investments of their own. A business funded by LeFrak should not automatically be listed as a personal investment by Harrison.
Publicly Reported Harrison LeFrak Startup Investments
1. Addepar: Technology for Managing Investments
Addepar is one of the clearest examples of a startup investment publicly linked to Harrison LeFrak personally.
In May 2014, Addepar announced a $50 million Series C funding round. Its announcement specifically named Harrison LeFrak among the investors.
Addepar makes software that helps financial advisors and investment managers organize and understand financial information. Its tools make it easier to see how different investments are performing.
The company raised the money to support its growth and develop its technology.
The $50 million was the total amount raised from all investors in that funding round. The announcement did not say exactly how much Harrison LeFrak personally contributed.
2. Dealpath: Making Real Estate Deals Easier
Dealpath is a software company that helps real estate professionals manage property deals.
In October 2016, Dealpath announced an $8 million Series A funding round. LeFrak was one of the investors.
The company’s software brings important information about property deals into one place. Instead of searching through many emails, files, and spreadsheets, real estate teams can use the platform to organize their work.
This investment is closely connected to LeFrak’s experience in property development and management.
The public announcement identifies LeFrak as an investor, rather than Harrison LeFrak personally.
3. Jetty: Helping People Rent Homes
Jetty is a technology company that offers financial products for renters and property owners.
LeFrak joined Jetty’s $11.5 million Series A funding round as a late investor near the end of 2017. The investment was publicly reported in February 2018.
Jetty developed products such as renters insurance and an alternative to traditional security deposits. These services aim to make renting easier and reduce the amount of money tenants need when moving into a home.
LeFrak also planned to offer Jetty’s products to people living in its apartment buildings.
This is an example of an investment in a company whose services can also be used by the investor’s own business.
4. Nestio: Improving Apartment Leasing
Nestio, now known as Funnel, develops technology that helps property managers find tenants and manage apartment rentals.
In July 2018, Nestio announced that it had raised $4.5 million in growth funding. LeFrak Ventures, a LeFrak affiliate, took part in the investment.
The company’s technology helps property teams organize apartment listings, communicate with potential renters, and manage leasing work.
Nestio later introduced the Funnel name as it expanded its products.
LeFrak Ventures’ investment shows how the wider company has supported technology designed to improve the rental experience.
5. VERO: Making Rental Applications Simpler
VERO develops technology that makes applying for an apartment easier.
In June 2021, the company announced a $5 million Series A funding round. LeFrak was among its strategic investors.
VERO brings different parts of the rental process together on one platform. Its technology helps property managers check applications, review important information, and complete leasing tasks.
For renters, the system aims to reduce paperwork and waiting time.
LeFrak was also named as one of VERO’s business partners in the funding announcement. This shows a connection involving both financial support and the use of its technology.
6. Kojo: Helping Construction Companies Buy Materials
Kojo, formerly known as Agora Systems, develops software for the construction industry.
In August 2021, the company announced a $33 million Series B funding round. LeFrak participated alongside several other investors.
Construction companies need materials such as pipes, cables, and electrical equipment. Ordering these supplies and keeping track of deliveries can be difficult.
Kojo’s software helps construction teams manage orders, track materials, and communicate with suppliers.
This investment is connected to the building industry, an area in which LeFrak has extensive experience.
The reported $33 million was the total amount raised in the funding round, not LeFrak’s individual contribution.
7. Vontive: Making Property Loans Easier
Vontive is a financial technology company that develops tools for property lending.
In April 2022, Vontive announced a Series B financing round led by Zigg Capital. The funding included $25 million in venture capital and $110 million in debt financing.
The company identified the LeFrak Organization among its investors.
Vontive’s technology helps financial businesses offer loans for investment properties. Its platform is designed to make the lending process simpler and more organized.
This investment combines two areas connected to LeFrak’s business: real estate and financial services.
8. Get Covered: Technology for Rental Insurance
Get Covered develops insurance technology for renters, property managers, and building owners.
In December 2022, the company announced a $6 million Series A-2 funding round. LeFrak participated alongside RET Ventures, State Farm Ventures, and WISE Ventures.
Get Covered’s technology helps property businesses handle insurance-related tasks. It also helps them manage insurance requirements for rental homes.
The company planned to use the new funding to develop products, hire workers, and build more business partnerships.
Get Covered is another example of LeFrak supporting technology designed for the rental housing industry.
9. Synco: Making Property Team Communication Easier
Synco develops messaging software for property management teams.
In May 2023, the company raised $5.5 million in seed funding. The LeFrak Organization was among the participating investors.
Synco helps workers share important information about buildings, repairs, and daily tasks. It keeps conversations organized so team members can find the information they need.
LeFrak also introduced Synco’s software to its property teams, according to a customer report published by Synco.
This shows how an investment in technology can be connected to the everyday work of managing buildings.
What Do These Startup Investments Have in Common?
The publicly reported investments show several common areas of interest.
Many of the companies develop tools for real estate businesses. Dealpath helps teams manage property deals. Funnel and VERO make apartment leasing easier. Jetty and Get Covered offer technology connected to rental insurance.
Other investments go beyond renting and property management. Addepar works with financial information, Kojo helps construction companies, and Vontive develops property lending tools.
These examples suggest that the wider LeFrak investment business often supports technology that makes complex work simpler.
However, this is a pattern seen in publicly reported deals, not a complete statement of Harrison LeFrak’s personal investment plans.
Does Harrison LeFrak Invest Only in Early-Stage Startups?
No. LeFrak’s official investment information says its affiliates can support companies at different stages, from early funding rounds to later-stage investments.
A seed round usually helps a young company develop its ideas and products. Series A funding often supports a business that has begun to grow. Later rounds can help a company expand even further.
The investments described above include seed, Series A, Series B, and Series C rounds.
LeFrak also states that its investment affiliates can keep their money invested without having to sell by a set deadline.
How Much Money Has Harrison LeFrak Personally Invested?
The exact total of Harrison LeFrak’s personal startup investments is not publicly established.
Although many company announcements name LeFrak or its affiliates, they usually report the full amount raised from all investors.
For example, Addepar’s 2014 announcement names Harrison LeFrak personally but does not reveal the exact amount he invested.
It is also important not to count every investment made by LeFrak as his personal contribution.
The publicly available announcements provide useful information about the companies and funding rounds, but they do not establish the full value of his personal startup portfolio.
Conclusion
Harrison LeFrak startup investments include his publicly confirmed investment in Addepar and his connections to the wider startup investment activities of LeFrak.
The broader company’s reported investments include Dealpath, Jetty, Funnel, VERO, Kojo, Vontive, Get Covered, and Synco. These businesses develop technology for finance, construction, insurance, and property management.
The available evidence shows an interest in supporting companies that solve practical business problems. LeFrak’s ability to invest at different stages and hold investments for the long term is also an important part of its approach.
Not every LeFrak-backed company is a personal Harrison LeFrak investment. Keeping that distinction clear gives readers a more accurate understanding of his publicly documented investment activity.
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