William Skelley

**William Skelley: Innovator in Real Estate Crowdfunding**

William Skelley is a pioneering entrepreneur who has significantly impacted the real estate investment landscape through his groundbreaking work in crowdfunding. Best known for founding iFunding, a real estate crowdfunding platform, Skelley has democratized real estate investing, making it accessible to a wider audience. His innovative approach and strategic vision have established him as a leading figure at the intersection of real estate and technology.

**Early Life and Education**

Notably, Skelley attended Harvard Business School but left to work with one of its top professors, Clayton Christensen, at his hedge fund, Rose Park Advisors. This experience provided him with unique insights into disruptive innovation and investment strategies, shaping his approach to business and technology.

**Career Beginnings**

Skelley started his career in the financial sector, working in investment banking and private equity with prominent firms like Bain Capital. These roles refined his analytical skills and provided a comprehensive view of the financial markets and investment strategies.

**The Birth of iFunding**

The idea for iFunding emerged from Skelley's recognition of inefficiencies in traditional real estate investing. In 2012, he co-founded iFunding to leverage technology in simplifying and democratizing real estate investments. The platform allowed individual investors to pool resources for real estate projects, lowering entry barriers and spreading investment risk. By using a crowdfunding model, iFunding enabled developers to access capital more efficiently and investors to diversify their portfolios with real estate assets.

**Challenges and Successes**

Launching iFunding came with challenges, including skepticism about the viability and security of real estate crowdfunding. Skelley navigated regulatory hurdles and worked to establish trust with investors and developers by focusing on transparency and utilizing technology for a seamless and secure investment process.

Despite initial challenges, iFunding quickly gained traction under Skelley's leadership. The platform facilitated numerous successful real estate projects, from residential developments to commercial properties, validating Skelley's vision and positioning iFunding as a leader in the real estate crowdfunding space.