Berlin-based investment company LINUS Capital has opened an office in London.
LINUS finances real estate projects with debt and mezzanine capital through its self-managed £320m debt fund.
Driven by its success in Germany LINUS is now exporting to the UK, with its new office being based in Mayfair and being led by managing directors Lukas Endl and Lee Abdul Sow.
LINUS Capital will focus on investment opportunities of £5 to £50m in Greater London and other major UK cities.
Both Endl and Sow said: “The small to mid-market segment offers great opportunities for us and our co-investors, as we are filling a significant gap in the market.
“As established real estate financiers have paused lending activities in the UK due to COVID-19 and Brexit fears, there is a unique window of opportunity to scale our operations quickly.
“Our entrepreneurial approach combined with the ability to provide higher gearing than most other lenders gives us an edge in the market.”
The two Managing Directors have extensive experience in the real estate and alternative investments sector and have already built up a broad network in the UK.
Lukas Endl studied Real Estate Finance at Cambridge University and has implemented projects in the sector for McKinsey.
Before joining LINUS, Lee Sow worked for the financial sponsors team of Credit Suisse and for the high-yield credit team of Oaktree in London.
David Neuhoff, chief executive at LINUS added that the UK market offers many opportunities: “Despite Brexit, London is still the number one capital market in Europe and one of the most important real estate markets globally.
“The city continues to attract substantial capital from investors across the globe. Even though the market is highly competitive, we see immense potential here.
“By leveraging the extensive on-site experience of our team, our lean structure and fast decision-making processes, we are able to provide financing within a very short time frame – this is our key competitive advantage.”
In 2020, LINUS Capital plans to invest up to £100m in the UK.