Traditional real estate investing has long remained out of reach for many retail investors because of high capital requirements, legal complexity, and operational barriers. European proptech platform InRento is trying to change that through a digital investment model focused on accessible, income generating property opportunities across multiple countries.
As traditional banks become slower and more restrictive in financing real estate projects across Europe, alternative investment platforms are increasingly stepping in to fill the gap. Rising interest rates, complex permitting processes, and tighter lending conditions have created growing demand for faster and more flexible financing solutions, particularly for small and medium sized developers working on redevelopment and adaptive reuse projects. At the same time, retail investors are seeking easier access to income generating real estate opportunities without the operational burden of owning and managing property directly. European real estate crowdfunding platform InRento is positioning itself at the centre of both trends.
The company has now financed more than €100 million worth of projects across Europe, reaching the milestone while maintaining a zero default track record.
Building Cross Border Real Estate Investing
Founded by Gustas Germanavicius, InRento operates a digital investment platform allowing users to invest smaller amounts into professionally managed real estate projects.
The platform focuses on income generating projects including building conversions, retrofitting projects, and financing for publicly listed companies.
Among the projects financed through the platform is the Alvernia Planet film studio in Krakow.
InRento currently operates across several European markets including Lithuania, Poland, and Spain, with additional expansion underway.
Investors earn returns through rental income and potential capital appreciation while borrowers gain access to an alternative source of financing outside traditional banking systems.
Growing Through Market Turbulence
Germanavicius launched the company during the COVID pandemic, followed shortly by geopolitical disruption linked to the war in Ukraine and rapidly rising interest rates across Europe.
According to him, the significance of the €100 million milestone lies not only in the funding volume itself but also in achieving it across projects in eight countries without any defaults.
The company attributes much of this performance to disciplined project selection and a focus on financing projects that have already secured development approvals, removing permitting risk from the financing equation.
Why Alternative Real Estate Finance Is Expanding
InRento believes structural inefficiencies within European banking are helping drive growth in alternative financing.
Traditional banks often move slowly when evaluating real estate loans, particularly for smaller redevelopment projects or adaptive reuse opportunities that fall outside standard lending frameworks.
Germanavicius said some developers can wait months for financing approvals while continuing to absorb land holding and financing costs.
InRento positions itself as a faster and more flexible alternative capable of delivering financing within weeks instead of months.
The company says most financed projects are completed within five to nine months.
Focusing on Adaptive Reuse Projects
One of the platform’s major areas of focus involves office to residential conversions.
As older office buildings become increasingly inefficient and difficult to maintain, developers are looking to convert them into apartments and residential lofts.
According to Germanavicius, many traditional banks struggle to properly evaluate these projects because they lack internal expertise and approval systems suited to adaptive reuse developments.
That inefficiency creates opportunities for alternative lenders capable of understanding more specialised redevelopment models.
Expanding Across Europe
InRento currently operates with a 13 person team and recently opened an office in Bucharest as part of its expansion into Romania.
The company’s broader ambition is to build a truly cross border real estate financing platform where investors can access opportunities across Europe through a single account without navigating fragmented local systems.
Unlike many venture backed startups focused on rapid hypergrowth, Germanavicius says InRento prioritises sustainable profitability and operational discipline.
After the company became profitable, he bought back shares from an early stage venture investor, explaining that his long term vision centred on building an independent business focused on steady growth rather than aggressive fundraising or rapid exits.
As alternative finance continues reshaping Europe’s real estate market, platforms like InRento are increasingly positioning themselves as important infrastructure connecting developers, investors, and underutilised urban assets across borders.
