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About Urban Catalyst

Invested in the future of San Jose.

A private equity real estate firm and developer with real projects, real momentum and a single-market focus.

Urban Catalyst develops and manages private equity real estate strategies in downtown San Jose, pairing fund management with on-the-ground execution across housing, hospitality, office and retail.

Erik at the Aquino groundbreaking in front of the excavator
Paseo project rendering
Keystone ribbon cutting event
TownePlace Suites San Jose Downtown hotel exterior
2018Firm founded
Top 4%OZ managers, 2023–2025
7Downtown projects
20+Years local experience

Our story

Built around a generational opportunity in downtown San Jose.

Urban Catalyst was founded in 2018 as Opportunity Zones created a new framework for long-term private investment. The firm focused where the team already had deep development experience: downtown San Jose, the urban core of Silicon Valley.

Today, Urban Catalyst operates as both developer and fund manager, creating a direct link between underwriting, entitlements, construction, capital strategy and investor stewardship.

One integrated model

We don't just invest in projects. We develop them.

That model gives Urban Catalyst control over the parts of the process that matter most, from sourcing the right sites through delivering the finished asset and communicating with investors along the way.

SourceEntitleCapitalizeBuildOperate
Keystone ribbon cutting gathering
Aquino groundbreaking audience and podium
Paseo project image

Proven track record

A track record built in the market we know best.

Urban Catalyst has sponsored Opportunity Zone funds and traditional private equity real estate strategies while advancing a downtown San Jose portfolio spanning multifamily, hospitality, office and retail.

Independent recognition has included Novogradac rankings, Silicon Valley Business Journal awards, Forbes recognition and CoStar impact recognition.

2024

Developer of the Year

Silicon Valley Business Journal

Top 4%

Tracked OZ fund managers

Novogradac, 2023–2025

7

Downtown San Jose projects

Across housing, hospitality, office and retail

20+

Years of local experience

Relationships and execution experience in one market

Awards & recognition

Recognized for the work.

Independent recognition across development, fund management and contribution to downtown San Jose.

Awards and rankings reflect specific years and methodologies and should not be viewed as guarantees of future investment performance.

2025

CoStar Impact Award

Paseo

2025

Newsmaker of the Year

Erik Hayden · Developer category

2024

Developer of the Year

Silicon Valley Business Journal

2023–2025

Top 4% OZ Managers

Novogradac tracked Opportunity Zone funds

2024

Best Hospitality Project

Silicon Valley Business Journal Structures Award

2019

Forbes OZ 20

Forbes recognition

Built with trusted experts

Service partners.

Urban Catalyst works with experienced legal, accounting, tax, fund administration and insurance professionals.

Armanino
Manatt
Goodwin
Novogradac
Hoge Fenton
JTC Americas
Bozzuto Insurance Services
Mengali Accountancy

The road ahead

Preparing for the next Opportunity Zone cycle.

Urban Catalyst does not currently have an open Opportunity Zone fund. The firm is monitoring Opportunity Zones 2.0 and preparing for a potential 2027 fund formation.

In the meantime, the focus remains on advancing the existing San Jose portfolio and keeping prospective investors informed.

2027 interest list

Be ready before your next capital-gain event.

Join the interest list for future Urban Catalyst Opportunity Zone updates and potential 2027 fund information.

Join the interest list

Explore Urban Catalyst

See the projects and the people behind them.

Explore the downtown San Jose portfolio and meet the team advancing it from concept through completion.