From the New York website: When real estate crowdfunding startups first emerged in 2011, their function was simple: match developers looking for equity with hundreds of small-time investors, directly online. Since those early days, the industry has become considerably more diverse. Crowdfunding platforms branched out from equity investments to offer mezzanine and senior debt buys. Many now pool funds from unaccredited small-time investors with institutional money. One platform even launched a mortgage REIT. The latest step ... [more]