How Mathew Owens Rebuilt After Losing Everything in 2008, Flipped 1,000+ Homes, and Raised $150M in Private Capital

Episode Summary

In this episode of Groundbreakers, Mathew Owens, founder of OCG Properties, shares his journey from CPA to full-time real estate investor. After flipping over 1,000 homes, Mat was hit hard by the 2008 crash—losing everything but choosing to pay back investors out of pocket. That decision earned him a reputation for integrity and became the foundation for a career that’s since raised $150M+ in private capital.

Today, Mat focuses on debt funds, mobile home parks, short-term rentals, and helping other capital raisers build compliant fund-of-funds structures. He pulls back the curtain on what it takes to raise capital at scale and how to build trust that lasts beyond the deal.

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Key Points Discussed

• From CPA to Full-Time Investor: Mat shares how he went from preparing tax returns to flipping homes full time, and how early volume forced him to build systems, teams, and capital partnerships quickly.
• The 2008 Collapse and Rebuilding from Scratch: When the market turned, Mat chose to honor every investor obligation—even when it meant draining his credit cards. That decision shaped his future and his investor base.
• Why He Pivoted from Flips to Funds: After managing dozens of projects, Mat realized the value of recurring income over transactional revenue. He now focuses on debt funds and asset-backed lending strategies.
• Raising Capital Through Fund-of-Funds: Mat now teaches syndicators how to legally and effectively raise capital using a fund-of-funds model. He breaks down the structure, compliance, and investor psychology that makes it work.
• What He’d Do Differently: Mat reflects on the systems he wishes he’d built earlier—including investor CRM tools and back-office infrastructure—and how it would’ve saved him stress and capital raising headaches.

Guest Information

• Name: Mathew Owens
• Role: Founder at OCG Properties
• LinkedIn: Mathew Owens
• Website: OCG Properties

Conclusion

Mathew Owens’ story is a rare blend of scale, integrity, and resilience. From losing everything in 2008 to raising $150M+ in private capital, his journey is packed with lessons on trust, reinvention, and sustainable growth. Whether you’re raising capital for your first fund or looking to build long-term investor relationships, this episode is filled with hard-earned insights you won’t want to miss.