Showcase #8- Daniel Croce, Co-Founder and Partner at Birgo Capital

In this episode of Start Up Showcase, host Colton Hower sits down with Daniel Croce, co-founder and partner at Birgo Capital, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, the growth of his real estate investment firm, and the importance of building a values-driven company. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Birgo Capital specializes in workforce housing in the heartland of America, investing in affordable multifamily apartment buildings in cities like Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. The firm, now approaching its ten-year anniversary, is vertically integrated, managing properties in-house with a team of 100 employees who handle everything from maintenance to leasing and investor relations. Daniel shares how his real estate journey began with a single Craigslist listing—a $19,000 townhouse he purchased using an early inheritance and bank financing. After experiencing the power of passive income, he became hooked on real estate investing, acquiring more properties using borrowed capital from friends and family. With a background in public accounting and investment management, Daniel soon realized his passion for both real estate and stewarding investor capital, which ultimately led to the founding of Birgo Capital. The conversation also highlights Birgo’s partnership-driven foundation. Daniel explains how he teamed up with Andrew Reichert, who had built a property management company, and Shannon Reichert, who helped shape the firm’s people-first culture. This collaboration allowed Birgo to scale efficiently while ensuring strong operational control over its properties. A core pillar of their success has been their commitment to people and culture, which is reflected in their company values and mantras like "Improving lives through real estate". Daniel emphasizes that their team actively participates in shaping company values, ensuring that the culture remains strong as the business grows. From an investment perspective, Daniel provides insights into Birgo’s real estate strategy, including the key factors they look for in a property and the lessons learned from early missteps, such as straying from their core expertise. He also shares invaluable advice for entrepreneurs raising capital, stressing the importance of relationship-building, trust, transparency, and domain expertise. He notes that securing investment is more than just a transaction—it’s about building long-term, authentic connections with investors who believe in both the business model and the people behind it. Looking ahead, Birgo is preparing for a new challenge—the sale and exit process for their first fund, marking a significant milestone as they shift from acquiring properties to selling them strategically. As Daniel reflects on this transition, he underscores the importance of staying adaptable and developing skills for the next stage of business growth. To wrap up, Daniel recommends Shane Moriarty, a venture capitalist and former entrepreneur, as a future guest for the show. His final advice to entrepreneurs is to "stay humble, be transparent, and lead with the bad news." He stresses that self-awareness and authenticity are key to building strong relationships in business and beyond.