US Elections Could Complicate “an Already Intricate Business Landscape”: 10 on the Weekend with Eren Cicekdagi

10 On The Weekend is a weekly (-ish) feature in IMI, the concept of which is simple: Each time, we ask the same ten questions of a different IMI Pro, letting readers get to know the interviewee on a more personal and informal level than they might during the ordinary course of business.

Our guest this week is Eren Cicekdagi, Managing Director at Golden Gate Global.

How do you spend your weekends? 

I typically spend weekends with my two young kids, whose sports activities keep us busy.

When I can carve out some time, I enjoy sailing and making the most of the incredible sailing conditions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What are your top three business goals this year? 

Expanding the EB-5 program’s presence among other investment migration programs, particularly in emerging markets, is a key priority.

I also aim to provide more EB-5-related information, insights, and articles. I believe IMI would be an excellent platform to disseminate this information. I look forward to contributing further to IMI’s resource database and articles, helping raise awareness of the EB-5 Program.

What’s your biggest business concern right now? 

Aligning the ever-changing macroeconomic trends in commercial real estate lending with the unpredictable practices of the US immigration authority (USCIS) is my biggest business concern right now.

This requires meticulous planning and a high level of financial and operational excellence. While I don’t anticipate this concern changing significantly with the upcoming US elections, it certainly adds another layer of complexity to an already intricate business landscape.

Which book is on your nightstand right now? 

I’m currently re-reading Homo Deus by Yuval Harari in anticipation of his new book.

Along with Sapiens, I believe every school should teach these books, as they offer an incredibly accessible and insightful exploration of human history and the political landscape.

How and when did you first get into the investment migration industry?

I entered the investment migration industry about ten years ago when I joined Golden Gate Global, following a career in real estate, corporate law, and finance consulting at a Big Four firm.

What intrigued me most was the unique structure of EB-5 financing in both commercial and residential real estate and how, when structured correctly, it creates successful outcomes for all parties involved.

What was your proudest moment as a service provider? 

My proudest moment as a service provider was when one of my clients successfully obtained permanent residency through one of our investments.

Recently, that same client secured a multi-million-dollar investment for his AI startup, which he founded after receiving his Green Card. It was incredibly rewarding to witness his journey from immigration success to entrepreneurial achievement.

Which investment migration market development has surprised you the most in the last year? 

What surprised me most in the past year was the significant improvement in USCIS processing times following the adjustments of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.

One of our recent investors in the Sun Valley project received their Green Card in under a year, which was a pleasant and encouraging development.

If you could go ten years back in time, what business decision would you change? 

If I could go back ten years, I’d joke that I would put all my money in crypto!

But seriously, I would have taken a more aggressive approach to EB-5 financing, as the demand was clearly there, and I would have focused on scaling our firm more quickly.

Additionally, I would have invested more time exploring emerging markets rather than concentrating so heavily on high-demand regions like Mainland China and India.

What investment migration industry personality do you most admire? 

I’ve always admired the patience and expertise of EB-5 immigration and transactional attorneys who skillfully guide their clients through the constantly evolving immigration landscape.

A few standout names include Ron Klasko, Rohit Kapuria, Jay Rosen, Mitch Wexler, and Joey Barnett. They are true magicians when it comes to navigating the complexities of the industry, despite the constant curveballs from regulators.

If all goes according to plan, what will you be doing five years from now? 

If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be writing an article for IMI from a sailboat off the coast of a Mediterranean island!