The RealtyAds team is full of talented and dynamic members in all departments. These individuals play an essential role in connecting our product with clients, and we believe it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the team that helps to support you and your company.
Varun joined RealtyAds in 2023 as the Vice President of Finance & Strategy and has since transitioned into his current role as the Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations. In his current position, Varun leads the Company’s finance, strategy, and operations functions and works closely across departments to identify opportunities to enhance RealtyAds’ value proposition for all users. As a vital member of the RealtyAds team, Varun fosters growth and drives continued success for our team.
You joined the team in 2023; what initially drew you to work for RealtyAds?
When I first came across RealtyAds, what stood out to me was the product and how effective and effortless it made it to put in place a comprehensive digital strategy in CRE. In an industry that has traditionally lagged behind in adopting new technology – RealtyAds wasn’t just closing the gap, but was years ahead of its peers in even other tech-forward industries in leveraging AI to drive real results. While AI has recently “become cool”, it has been an integral part of the RealtyAds solution since its inception in 2019 and has only grown since.
As I spent more time with Trevor and Keegan, what impressed me even more was how passionate each of them were about what they were building and the ideas they had for the future, and I couldn’t help but want to participate in that journey. After joining, I immediately felt that same energy and enthusiasm with not only the rest of the team, but also the clients we have had the chance to partner with – this energy is something that continues to be special a year and a half later here.
Ultimately, I joined the team because I saw how RealtyAds was transforming the CRE landscape, and I wanted to do what I could to contribute to that evolution.
How does your private equity and investment banking background influence your work at RealtyAds?
My background in finance allowed me to develop my analytical skillset and gave me a strong foundation in identifying potential blind spots, evaluating growth/operational strategies, and making data-driven decisions. Through those experiences, I’ve had the chance to take a “behind-the-scenes” peek into the workings of hundreds of other technology companies at similar stages of their journey. While no path is 100% identical, I’m fortunate to be able to apply some of the learnings of prior successes and failures to what we are building here in real time.
My past experiences gave me a great foundation, but nothing compares to actually being in the trenches at a fast-paced, rapidly growing Company. In private equity and banking, you analyze business from the outside, but being on the inside is an entirely different beast. There’s never a set playbook for every situation, and things move fast with a good bit of audibling- I’ve learned that scaling isn’t just about strategy; it’s about execution, adaptability, and working alongside a team that’s constantly pushing to improve – I’ve enjoyed every step of the process!
If you had to explain RealtyAds to someone outside of the industry, how would you describe it?
If you’ve ever seen a digital placement for an apartment complex, office building, or shopping center, chances are it took a lot of manual effort to set up and manage. RealtyAds automates that entire process—getting properties in front of the right people across the right platforms without brokers or owners having to lift a finger.
Think of it as an autopilot for digital marketing strategy in commercial real estate. RealtyAds uses AI to continuously optimize where and how ads are shown, ensuring buildings get the most exposure to the right decision-makers with the least amount of work and wasted spend.
What has been the most rewarding thing about being a part of the team here at RealtyAds?
The most rewarding part of being on the RealtyAds team has been seeing firsthand the impact we make for our clients while being part of a team that moves fast and solves real problems. In many companies, change happens slowly, but here, when we identify an opportunity to improve, we act on it immediately. That kind of speed, adaptability, and problem-solving mindset makes every day exciting.
What’s been equally as rewarding is watching the team grow – both in size and in their individual roles. Seeing people step up and grow out of their roles to take on more responsibility and own significant parts of the business has been incredible. There’s nothing better than working with smart, motivated individuals and watching them thrive. It’s a place where the best ideas win, and people aren’t afraid to take initiative – which makes all the difference.
Do you have any favorite restaurants or hidden gems in Chicago?
Girl & The Goat, Aba, Indienne, and Sepia are some of my recent favorites, but I am always discovering new spots! As far as a hidden gem, Ikigai in River North is the spot I always quote as having some of the best sushi in town.
If you want to learn more about the team at RealtyAds, click here to read about our dynamic team members.
RealtyAds is helping commercial real estate find, advance, and close more deals by engaging decision-makers and their representation on the world’s most effective customer acquisition channels. For more information, visit RealtyAds.com and follow RealtyAds on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.