Oliver Swig
In the bustling world of alternative investments, few names shine as brightly as Oliver Swig, co-founder and managing director of SOJA Ventures. With a background rooted in real estate and finance, as well as a flair for tech innovation, Oliver has propelled his company into the forefront of a rapidly changing industry.
In 2016, while still a student at Brown University, Oliver forayed into politics, focusing his efforts on fundraising for the next generation of candidates, alongside organizations like Emily’s List and Ignite.
Upon graduating from Brown University where he studied architecture and media theory, Oliver joined his family's real estate business, Swig Equities, where he succeeded in expanding the company’s portfolio into new markets. Building upon this success, Oliver worked himself into a leadership role on the investment committee of The Swig Company, a family-owned real estate and hotel business, established in 1936, with a portfolio of over 10 million square feet of commercial office space throughout the United States.
Leveraging his corporate experience and embracing his entrepreneurial spirit, Oliver launched SOJA Ventures, a private family office and alternative investment firm, in 2021, to further diversify his family’s portfolio.
Headquartered in Manhattan, SOJA Ventures quickly gained recognition for its unique approach to investment. With a focus on private credit and innovative equity solutions through unlocking the intellectual property portfolio value of EBITDA-positive technology-focused growth companies, SOJA began investing venture debt and equity in underserved lower-middle market companies with an accelerated growth strategy. During its first year of business, SOJA Ventures closed over $100 million in deals, co-financing with the likes of Serengeti Asset Management, Ghost Tree Partners, and HUM Capital, for example, raising over $50 million and $20 million for two of their portfolio companies, Job.com and BIG Logistics, respectively.
These financial successes propelled SOJA Ventures into a rapid growth phase, ultimately leading to their acquisition of Falcon Capital’s intellectual property and portfolio of assets, in 2023, worth over $100 million, as well as their national expansion to Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami, and international office openings in London, Singapore, Penang, and Melbourne. This strategic move reinforced the company’s commitment to harnessing the potential of IP lending, especially in the real estate, AI, sustainable technology, and manufacturing industries.
In just over two years, SOJA Ventures has grown into a powerhouse with assets under management exceeding $200 million. Oliver's impact on this achievement cannot be overstated. His expertise extends to corporate operations, business development, and capital strategies, and he plays a pivotal role in setting strategic goals, monitoring performance, and driving business growth across his flourishing portfolio. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Oliver was also recently named one of Commercial Observer's Top Young Professionals of 2023.
Oliver Swig
Co-Founder and Managing Director
SOJA Ventures
Website: https://www.sojaventures.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-swig-415428a3/
Instagram: @oliverswig