With offices in Zurich and Hamburg, eXapital has been cofounded by Jan-Christoph Klein, Hubertus Bäumer, and Karsten Lieser, who between them have more than 50 years’ experience in real estate, private equity, asset management, structuring and corporate finance.

All three are well-known in real estate circles.

Klein was formerly part of the successful real estate private equity capital raising machine at Credit Suisse Private Fund Group from 2000 to 2010, before joining Partners Group as head of real estate investment solutions, subsequently landing at Park Hill Group in 2011, which used to be owned by The Blackstone Group and got renamed PJT Partners. He left PJT Partners in June 2019 where he had risen to head of real assets (Europe) and head of private equity, venture capital and debt for Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Bäumer is also well-known having served as head of real estate capital solutions at Union Investment in Hamburg. He began his career at Cushman & Wakefield (formerly DTZ) in 2005 before joining London & Capital, and then Generali in 2008 as senior investment manager, real estate and infrastructure. He spent eight years with Union Investment and left earlier this year.

Lieser has also held a high-profile position, working as investment director since 2011 for Allianz Real Estate on large-scale investments and platform-build strategies across Europe. He began his career at Mercer and held investment positions at Lehman Brothers and Lone Star.

Between them, the trio have worked on mandates for firms such as Blackstone, Ares Management, ECE, Jamestown, and Northwood Investors.

They said, ‘The three of us are starting the firm as long-term business partners and close friends. Our prior work as investor, fund manager and capital raiser enables us to find solutions, which take into account the perspectives of all relevant stakeholders.

‘eXapital is 100% self-funded and thereby enjoys true independence, commitment and long-term focus.’