TOP 100 MAGAZINE

Gabe Bar

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It began with a simple request from Gabe Bar’s four-year-old daughter. Newly settled into their 300-unit apartment complex, she asked if he could invite her friends to the playground. “We didn’t know anyone yet, and all her friends lived miles away,” Gabe recalls. “When no one could make the drive, I saw the disappointment on my daughter's face and thought—there has to be a better way.”

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Recognizing a Problem

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With over 25 years of experience in real estate technology, syndication, and investment innovation, Gabe immediately recognized a widespread issue within the industry: apartment living had become impersonal, transactional, and isolated. Recognizing the opportunity to forge meaningful connections, he founded Be Belong, a platform designed to revolutionize multi-family properties into thriving, connected communities.

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Traditional real estate models treat housing as a financial transaction—landlords collect rent, tenants pay, and little else occurs. Gabe envisioned a new paradigm. “Landlords have traditionally relied on rent as their primary income source. Meanwhile, tenants, who should be valued as critical customers, are often overlooked,” Gabe explains. “This neglect contributes to more than 55% of renters moving out within two years, creating a costly cycle of acquiring new tenants.”

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Creating Connections

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This lack of retention isn't due to housing quality alone. It’s rooted in a lack of personal connection. Gabe's research found that long-term tenants cited personal relationships within their community as the key reason for remaining. “People don’t just want a place to live; they want to belong,” he emphasizes.

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Addressing this need, Be Belong integrates advanced technology and community-driven initiatives to enhance multifamily living. Tenants gain access to a user-friendly platform to organize playdates, rideshares, dog-walking groups, and social events and book local services like yoga classes—all at no cost. They can even conduct business within the community, making their apartment complex feel like home.

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Beyond creating connections, Be Belong strategically uses AI-driven engagement and financial optimization to help landlords generate additional income streams. Through partnerships with advertisers who directly engage tenants via the platform, property owners can increase their net operating income beyond traditional rent payments.

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Tenants as Stakeholders

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But Gabe didn't stop there. He envisioned tenants as more than residents. He saw them as stakeholders. Be Belong introduces blockchain-based fractional ownership, allowing tenants to own an equity stake in their buildings through tokenization. “It's a simple yet powerful shift,” Gabe notes. “When tenants become financial stakeholders, they engage more deeply, maintain their homes better, and have genuine financial incentives to stay.”

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Leadership and Expertise

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Gabe's visionary approach draws on his extensive background, having previously co-founded DealEstate.Ai and served as CTO of Infinite Capital. With a bachelor's in international economics and an MBA in finance from California State University-Dominguez Hills and UCLA, he blends finance, real estate, and technology to create forward-thinking solutions that enhance traditional approaches.

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Leading Be Belong is a seasoned team collectively holding over 300 years of experience in AI, blockchain, finance, community-building, and real estate innovation. Based in Miami, Florida, this group shares Gabe’s passion for reshaping the future of multifamily housing.

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Redefining the American Dream

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Today, by prioritizing tenant engagement, financial empowerment, and community-building, Gabe and his team are redefining the American dream, making it all about creating flexible, accessible, and economically beneficial living environments for everyone.

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“Real estate's future is about creating sustainable communities where everyone genuinely feels they belong.”

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Q&A with Gabe Bar

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What inspired you most when developing Be Belong?

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My daughter’s desire for connection truly inspired me. Watching her disappointment made me realize how important community is. It pushed me to rethink the entire multifamily housing model and emphasize genuine connections and engagement. I envisioned a place where neighbors felt like extended family, supported each other, and had opportunities to create lasting relationships.

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How does blockchain fractional ownership work for tenants?

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Tenants receive blockchain-based tokens representing fractional ownership of the building. These are similar to traditional investment shares, giving tenants financial returns based on property value and revenue. As they pay rent, they benefit financially, creating a deeper commitment and connection to their home. Practically, this means tenants can build equity, which has historically only been possible through traditional homeownership. It’s about democratizing real estate investment and giving renters the same financial opportunities previously limited to property owners.

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A lot of PropTech platforms charge monthly subscription fees. Why did Be Belong take a different approach?

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We knew we wanted to Be Belong to be more than just another software expense for property owners. So we made a deliberate decision not to charge monthly subscription fees. We believe technology should be something people want to use, not something they must justify in a budget meeting. Our goal is to turn properties from cost centers into revenue centers. We do that through AI-powered tenant engagement, digital marketplaces, automated services, and fractional ownership models. Instead of charging landlords to use the platform, we focus on monetizing activity that benefits everyone involved. That way, we all grow together.

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What’s next for Be Belong?

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Our goal is continued nationwide growth. We focus on refining our technology, elevating the tenant experience, and building economically inclusive communities. We’ll introduce new features—like advanced AI for personalized engagement—and expand partnerships with local businesses. Our vision is to make Be Belong the new standard for apartment living across America.

 

 

Gabe Bar
Co-Founder and CEO
Be Belong
Website: https://bebelong.life
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gabi-bar