Builder to Fund Manager: Syndications, Funds, and the Road to REITs with August Biniaz - Episode #345

In this powerful episode of In The Lab, Ruben sits down with August Biniaz, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at CPI Capital, to unpack how he went from building homes in Canada to managing large-scale U.S. multifamily funds. August shares his journey from being a general contractor and developer to launching CPI Capital, a cross-border real estate private equity firm that bridges Canadian capital with U.S. opportunities.He breaks down the real roadmap for scaling in real estate—starting from joint ventures, to syndications, closed-end and open-ended funds with the road to ultimately launching a REIT. August also highlights why CPI shifted focus to U.S. markets like Tampa Bay and San Antonio, where rent control, entitlement speed, and yields outperform Canadian markets.Listeners will gain deep insights into capital raising, fund structuring, investor relations, and how credibility and reputation equity become key leverage points when scaling to institutional investors. Tune in now to learn how August’s strategic evolution from builder to fund manager can help you structure smarter, scale faster, and raise with confidence.HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EPISODE:16:12 August talks about syndication21:48 August talks about progression from joint ventures to syndicationsKEEPING IT REAL:09:01 – Private equity structure explained17:12 – Syndications vs. funds overview20:45 – Managing investor expectations28:08 – The pivotal land assembly deal31:04 – Structuring partnerships and equity35:01 – Why U.S. over Canada45:01 – Launching CPI Capital51:03 – Navigating cross-border challenges55:21 – Entitlement timelines and delays59:09 – Partnering with experienced operators1:01:02 – Market focus: Tampa and San Antonio1:02:09 – Build-to-rent explained1:05:17 – Duplex strategy and investor returns1:07:01 – Raising from retail to institutions1:08:01 – The 30,000-door vision1:13:18 – From syndication to REITs1:16:02 – Final thoughtsCONNECT WITH THE GUESTWebsite: https://cpicapital.ca/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/augustbiniaz/#RealEstateInvesting #Syndication #REIT #PrivateEquity #Multifamily #BuildToRent #CommercialRealEstate #InstitutionalCapital #FundManagement #WealthBuilding #CrossBorderInvesting #CapitalRaising #FinancialStrategy