After leaving the British armed forces, Matt Belcher pursued a career in technology for more than a decade working with financial, Oil & Gas, and Media institutions in Europe, which included names like BP, Shell, Barclays Capital, The International Olympic Committee, FT.com, etc.
With an extensive experience in senior leadership positions, Matt took his first plunge into entrepreneurship by establishing an online promotions business in London.
Eventually, in 2010, Matt relocated to the United States and obtained approval from the Federal Government’s USCIS to operate an EB-5 Regional Center working on very large-scale real estate development and investment projects such as capital improvement and hospitality. Matt and his team worked very closely with investors, issuers, and government stakeholders, which eventually led to the inception of CalTier.
About CalTier
Established by Matt, CalTier, a platform/app, disrupts the traditional business landscape by providing retail investors with unprecedented access to alternative investments, particularly in real estate. Historically, these investments have been predominantly accessible to high-net-worth individuals and institutions, who normally allocate up to ten times more capital into alternative investment opportunities. The primary barrier to entry for retail investors has been limited access to such opportunities. However, CalTier effectively shatters these barriers, welcoming anyone looking to invest in alternative assets.
Bringing Change
CalTier’s mission is to empower retail investors with access and freedom of choice in their investment opportunities, by granting them with the ability to invest in these traditionally exclusive avenues. CalTier aims to provide as many retail investors as possible with access to high-quality investment options. It is estimated that non-accredited investors manage over $150 trillion worldwide, signifying a vast pool of hardworking individuals seeking to enhance their wealth or diversify their investment portfolios for various reasons. CalTier recognizes the aspirations of these individuals and caters to their needs by facilitating their participation in the investment landscape.
Standing out in an Ever Competitive Business Landscape
What sets CalTier apart from its competitors is its unwavering focus on portfolio selection and exceptional customer support. Currently, CalTier prioritizes investments in the multi-family (apartment) sector, believing it to be a favorable choice given the prevailing financial climate. The platform holds a strong conviction in the potential of this investment avenue and seeks to provide its investors with carefully curated opportunities within this sector.
CalTier puts great emphasis on delivering exceptional customer service and strives to provide the best possible support to its users. While perfection is elusive for any service provider, CalTier acknowledges that it learns from its experiences and consistently works towards improvement. The testimonials from satisfied customers serve as a testament to the quality of service it provides. Additionally, the fact that 41% of investors choose to invest monthly, akin to a subscription model, showcases the trust and confidence they have in CalTier’s platform and its offerings.
Tackling Challenges
Like any other business owner, Matt feels the main issues are always financing and the energy it takes to get the venture off the ground. However, maintaining a clear vision and understanding the “why” behind the endeavor is extremely important. Staying aligned with the intended goals and establishing milestones allows for a sense of direction and progress. It is crucial to periodically reflect on the journey and recognize how far one has come.
“There are always setbacks like anything worth doing in life. We had many from financing in the early days, the burnout of the founders, and compliance issues. But if you keep your eye on the destination these things are just challenges to overcome,”- he says.
Looking at the Future
Matt aims to achieve a user base of 500,000 on CalTier’s platform by the end of 2024. To accomplish this, CalTier is expanding its offerings and building several value-added financial services for CalTier’s investors.
He would also like to see CalTier align itself with established financial services companies, envisioning a future where they stand shoulder to shoulder. This has prompted traditional financial institutions closely examine entities such as CalTier.
“Personally, I would like to complete my first full marathon and iron man before 50. I write fiction as a passion, so I would like to have my first trilogy published in the next couple of years also,”- he states.
