Michael Weisz: A Visionary Investor and Entrepreneur Transforming Private Markets

6 days ago

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Michael Weisz is a seasoned investor, entrepreneur, and strategic advisor with a proven track record of building category-defining platforms in the world of alternative investments. Known best as the Founder of Yieldstreet, Weisz has devoted his career to democratizing access to private markets, helping millions of people gain exposure to opportunities that were historically reserved for institutions and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. With a background in specialty finance and litigation funding, he has risen to become one of the most influential figures in fintech and private markets, all while staying true to his mission of paving the road to financial independence for everyday investors.

Early Life and Education

Michael Weisz’s journey into finance began with a solid educational foundation. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Touro College, a program that shaped his analytical abilities and prepared him for a career in asset-based investments. His early exposure to real estate and finance allowed him to understand the intricacies of capital markets and alternative investment structures.

Early Career in Real Estate and Finance

Entry into Real Estate

Weisz began his professional career in real estate sales at Heino Realty in Brooklyn, New York, in 2006. During this period, he obtained his New York State real estate license, generated client leads, and managed sales for both residential and commercial properties. His early mentor, the CEO of the firm, played an influential role in shaping his entrepreneurial mindset and leadership style.

Capital Placement at Eastern Union

In 2007, Weisz joined Eastern Union Commercial Real Estate as a Capital Placement Advisor. His responsibilities included originating debt and securing financing for mixed-use and commercial property types across the United States. Working with a wide range of institutions—from private lenders to pension funds—he developed a keen understanding of debt structures and client relationships.

Breaking into Alternative Investments

Hedge Fund Experience

Between 2009 and 2013, Michael Weisz served as an Analyst and Vice President of Business Development at a New York-based hedge fund managing over $1 billion. In this role, he specialized in high-yield, senior secured, asset-based debt opportunities. He gained experience structuring deals across litigation, consumer finance, healthcare, mining, trade finance, and real estate. His work included underwriting, preparing credit committee reports, and negotiating complex financial structures. This period exposed him to the untapped potential of niche markets underserved by traditional finance.

Founding Soli Capital

In 2013, Weisz founded Soli Capital, a specialty finance company in New York. Soli Capital focused on litigation finance, real estate, and structured credit. His approach was opportunistic, emphasizing strategies that had low correlation to broader markets and strong collateral support. Soli Capital’s investment philosophy prioritized common-sense strategies and attractive risk-adjusted yields. Through Soli, Weisz established himself as a trailblazer in litigation finance, an asset class that later became a cornerstone of his entrepreneurial journey.

Founding Yieldstreet

Vision and Mission

In 2014, Michael Weisz co-founded Yieldstreet, an online platform designed to democratize access to alternative investments. His mission was simple yet powerful: to build prosperity for all by allowing individual investors to participate in asset-based investments traditionally limited to institutions. Yieldstreet provided curated opportunities across real estate, litigation finance, private credit, art finance, and structured products.

Leadership and Achievements

As President (2014–2023) and later CEO (2023–2025), Weisz transformed Yieldstreet into the largest direct-to-consumer digital investment platform in the United States. Under his leadership:

Yieldstreet deployed over $6 billion across a diverse range of asset classes.
The company pioneered innovative structures such as 3(c)(5), 3(c)(7), BPDNs, ’40 Act funds, and interval funds, combining complex financial engineering with an intuitive digital interface.
Yieldstreet raised more than $250 million in venture and private equity funding from top-tier firms.
Secured over $1 billion in credit facilities to fuel its growth.
Expanded operations globally across four continents.

Strategic Acquisitions

Weisz spearheaded key acquisitions that broadened Yieldstreet’s scope and credibility:

Cadre: a premier online real estate platform.
Athena Art Finance: a fine art lending business previously owned by The Carlyle Group.

These moves aligned with Yieldstreet’s vision of making private market investments accessible to all investors.

Recognition and Impact

Yieldstreet received multiple accolades under Weisz’s leadership:

Named one of the “Top 20 Companies Changing Wall Street” by Business Insider in 2015.
Recognized by Nasdaq as one of the “6 companies disrupting the investing landscape” in 2017.
Featured in SiliconIndia’s SiTech20 (2016) and Top 100 Tech Companies (2015).

Transition and Current Focus

In May 2025, Michael Weisz stepped down as CEO of Yieldstreet, transitioning to his role as Founder & Board Member. This move allowed him to focus on broader strategic initiatives while maintaining his influence in the company he built.

Family Office and Diversified Investments

Today, Weisz leads a family office with diversified holdings across:

Real assets
Private equity
Private credit
Venture capital
Emerging asset classes

His focus remains on long-term wealth preservation and identifying opportunities that combine innovation with financial discipline.

Board Roles and Advisory Work

Michael Weisz actively serves on multiple boards and advises entrepreneurs, executives, and capital allocators. His expertise is especially sought after during periods of growth, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic transition.

Philanthropy and Personal Life

Michael Weisz is committed to giving back to society. He oversees two charitable foundations that fund programs in education, food security, and social welfare in both the United States and Israel. His philanthropic work reflects his belief that financial success should translate into broader community impact.

On a personal note, Michael lives in New York with his wife and their three children. Despite his demanding professional life, he remains devoted to family and community, balancing his roles as an entrepreneur, advisor, and philanthropist.

Thought Leadership and Public Speaking

Weisz is a frequent speaker and media contributor on topics including:

The future of investing
Financial technology
Entrepreneurship and leadership
Product innovation in private markets

He is passionate about supporting bold founders who aim to transform visionary ideas into sustainable businesses. His talks often emphasize the importance of combining innovative technology with disciplined financial strategy to create lasting value.

Legacy and Influence

Michael Weisz has built a reputation as a pioneer in private markets and fintech. His legacy includes:

Making alternative investments accessible to millions of individual investors.
Building Yieldstreet into a globally recognized investment platform.
Innovating financial structures that opened new pathways for diversification.
Supporting founders and leaders in navigating complex financial landscapes.
Establishing philanthropic initiatives that reflect his commitment to social responsibility.

Conclusion

Michael Weisz’s career is defined by innovation, leadership, and an unwavering mission to democratize finance. From his early days in real estate to leading a billion-dollar fintech platform, he has consistently identified opportunities where others saw limitations. Today, as an investor, advisor, and philanthropist, Weisz continues to shape the future of private markets while giving back to communities in need. His journey is a testament to the power of vision, discipline, and a relentless drive to build prosperity for all.

WiderWeekly.com