What Equity does

Equity is a privately held, full-service commercial real estate firm founded in 1987 by Steve Wathen in Columbus, Ohio, and headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio. The company operates an integrated platform branded as the "Equity 360° Advantage" that delivers development, construction (via its wholly owned subsidiary Equity Construction Solutions, or ECS), brokerage, property management, asset management, and program/project management services to commercial real estate owners, investors, tenants, and developers. It also sponsors four private equity real estate funds under the Equity Velocity Funds brand, with approximately $500 million in assets under management focused on healthcare, retail, and mixed-use properties. Equity specializes in healthcare real estate (ranked among Modern Healthcare Magazine's Top Twenty Developers in the U.S.) and maintains six sector specializations: healthcare, retail and restaurants, office, mixed-use, hotels/hospitality, and industrial/flex-space.

The company generates revenue through multiple streams: brokerage commissions on leasing and sales transactions, recurring property and asset management fees, development fees and project equity participation, construction management fees through ECS, and carried interest plus management fees from the Equity Velocity Funds private equity platform. Distribution is delivered through nine U.S. offices (Hilliard, Dayton, Cincinnati, Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, Austin, San Antonio, and Chicago) staffed by employed advisors, with no third-party intermediaries. The market strategy brokerage team has completed over 1,000 transactions across more than 45 states, supporting a relationship-driven, sales-led go-to-market approach targeting enterprise healthcare systems, national retailers, restaurant chains, and institutional investors.

Equity is family-led, with the Wathen family holding the CEO, President, and Executive Vice President roles. The firm operates under the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) management framework and maintains an active foundation (The Equity | ECS Foundation) supporting community and youth-focused nonprofit work. Notable upcoming milestones include the 2027 opening of TruePointe, a flagship live-work-play mixed-use development in Hilliard that will co-locate with the corporate headquarters. The company has received sustained recognition from CoStar (Top Firm 2012–2017, Power Broker and Impact Awards through 2026), NAIOP (Best Office Award 2025), Columbus Business First (Corporate Citizenship, Best Places to Work, Power 125 List), and GlobeSt. (Women of Influence awards in 2026).

Name

Equity

Legal name

Equity

Website

https://equity.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Equity is a privately held, full-service commercial real estate firm founded in 1987, headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio. It provides brokerage, development, construction, property management, and asset management across nine U.S. offices, serving healthcare, retail, and institutional investors via an integrated 360° platform and a $500MM private equity fund family.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Real Estate Services

NAICS

Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers (53121), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Real Estate Dealers (For Their Own Account) (6532)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Real Estate Brokerage (Leasing & Sales) (FSAEAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Real Estate Capital Markets Brokerage (Debt & Equity Placement) (FSAEAJAK), Capital Markets Advisory (Equity Placement, JV & Recapitalization) (BPAJABAL)

Keywords

• Commercial real estate services
• Commercial property brokerage
• Commercial construction management
• Property management services
• Real estate investment funds

Headquarters

HQ city

Hilliard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Brokerage Commissions: Real estate brokerage services including tenant representation, landlord representation, property sales and leasing. Advisors earn commissions on completed transactions for retail, office, industrial, healthcare, hotel, and investment properties.
2. Property Management Fees: Comprehensive property management services including accounting, maintenance, security, tenant relations, lease administration, and operational planning. Fees typically charged as a percentage of managed property value or as flat management fees.
3. Development Services: Real estate development services including project planning, ground-up development, site selection, engineering guidance, entitlements, and consultation. Revenue from development fees and project equity participation.
4. Construction (ECS): Equity Construction Solutions (ECS) provides commercial construction services including preconstruction, construction management, design-build, general contracting, and program management. Affiliate company with 30+ years of experience serving healthcare, senior living, retail, office, industrial, and hospitality clients.
5. Asset Management Fees: Real estate asset management services including strategic positioning, debt and equity placement, exit strategies, investment oversight, and portfolio management for investors.
6. Equity Velocity Funds: Private equity real estate investment funds sponsored by Equity principals. Four national real estate private equity funds focused on healthcare, retail, and mixed-use development. Generates carried interest and management fees from institutional and high-net-worth investors.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Equity is a nationwide full-service commercial real estate firm providing integrated start-to-finish solutions including commercial brokerage (tenant and landlord representation, leasing and sales), property management, asset management, commercial development, construction management (via affiliate Equity Construction Solutions), program and project management, and private equity real estate investment funds (Equity Velocity Funds). The firm's "Equity 360° Advantage" delivers build, broker, manage, and invest services under a single platform for healthcare, retail, restaurant, office, mixed-use, hospitality, and industrial/flex-space asset classes.

Product overview

Equity is a nationwide full-service commercial real estate firm providing comprehensive start-to-finish solutions through its integrated platform. The company's offering consists of core service lines—Brokerage, Property Management, Asset Management, Development, Construction (via Equity Construction Solutions/ECS), and Program & Project Management—alongside specialized sector expertise in Healthcare, Retail & Restaurants, Office, Mixed-Use, Hotels, and Industrial/Flex-Space. The Equity 360 Advantage delivers Build, Broker, Manage, and Invest services as a unified offering. The company also sponsors Equity Velocity Funds for private equity investment in healthcare, retail, and mixed-use properties. Recent developments include TruePointe, a live-work-play mixed-use development in Hilliard, Ohio opening in 2027. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, Equity operates 9 offices across Ohio, Florida, and Georgia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Equity Construction Solutions (ECS): Independent construction company affiliate serving clients in healthcare, senior living, retail, renovation, tenant improvement, office, industrial, and hospitality product types.
• Equity Velocity Funds
• The Equity | ECS Foundation

Products and services

• Brokerage Services Commercial real estate brokerage services including tenant representation, landlord representation, leasing, strategic marketing, negotiating, and tenant qualifying across all asset classes nationwide.
• Property Management Comprehensive property management services protecting and improving property value through cost savings, efficiency improvements, tenant relations, accounting, maintenance, security, lease administration, and operational planning.
• Asset Management Real estate asset management services combining real estate knowledge with leasing expertise, quality reporting, accounting, management, and legal services to ensure property performance, including strategic positioning, debt and equity placement, exit strategies, and investment oversight.
• Development Services Commercial real estate development services including ground-up development, site selection, engineering guidance, project management, economic feasibility studies, entitlements, and consultation for healthcare, retail, mixed-use, hospitality, and industrial projects.
• Equity Construction Solutions (ECS) Commercial construction services including preconstruction, construction management, design-build, general contracting, and program management, serving healthcare, senior living, retail, office, industrial, and hospitality sectors.
• Program & Project Management Real estate program and project management services helping business owners oversee build-outs of new or expanded facilities through diverse knowledge in programming, design, and construction.
• Equity Velocity Funds Private equity funds focused on healthcare, retail, and mixed-use property development, generating current cash flow and long-term capital appreciation through acquisition and development for institutional and high-net-worth investors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 transactions completed across 45+ states through the market strategy brokerage team
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)coreTechnology or IntegrationEquity uses the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) as a structured management framework to create clear vision, align teams around common goals, enhance accountability, and improve communication across the organization. The company provides comprehensive EOS training to ensure all employees understand and can effectively implement the system.
• NAIOPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquity is an active member of NAIOP Central Ohio and has received multiple NAIOP awards including Best Office Award and Runner-Up recognitions for adaptive reuse and industrial projects. Jaimine Johnson serves as a NAIOP Board Member.
• Columbus REALTORScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple Equity team members serve in leadership positions with Columbus REALTORS including Board of Directors, Foundation Board of Trustees, and Commercial Advisory Board roles. Jesse Shkolnik serves as Columbus Commercial Representative on the Board of Directors.
• International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquity advisors are members of ICSC and participate in conferences including ICSC Las Vegas. Bob Matias has received ICSC Lifetime Achievement Award for Service. Multiple advisors have completed transactions with ICSC member retailers.
• Youth for ChristminorOthersPartner organization of The Equity | ECS Foundation focused on youth development and support programs.
• Design OutreachminorOthersPartner organization of The Equity | ECS Foundation focused on economic opportunity and poverty alleviation.
• Dot's Tots FoundationminorOthersPartner organization of The Equity | ECS Foundation supporting disadvantaged youth and families.
• Hilliard Food PantryminorOthersPartner organization of The Equity | ECS Foundation focused on poverty alleviation in the Hilliard community.
• LifeWise AcademyminorOthersPartner organization of The Equity | ECS Foundation focused on educational opportunity and youth support.
• Boy Scouts of AmericaminorOthersEquity received Community Leadership Award from Boy Scouts of America in 2019. Partner through The Equity | ECS Foundation.
• Bottoms Up Diaper DriveminorOthersPartner organization of The Equity | ECS Foundation focused on supporting families in need.
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue ShieldcoreOthersHealth coverage provider partner for employee benefits program. Provides comprehensive Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision plans to Equity employees.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colliers International: Global full-service commercial real estate services firm offering brokerage, property management, project management, and investment management. Closely comparable to Equity's integrated Build/Broker/Manage/Invest platform and similar client base across asset classes.
• Newmark Group: Full-service CRE services firm spanning capital markets, leasing, investment sales, and property management. Similar to Equity in combining transaction-driven brokerage with management services and exposure to capital markets advisory.
• Avison Young: Privately held global CRE services firm offering transaction, management, consulting, and valuation services. Comparable mid-sized full-service model with similar office-based regional structure and occupier/investor client mix to Equity.
• NAI Global: Network-based commercial real estate brokerage and services organization with offices across the U.S. Comparable in operating as a mid-sized multi-office CRE services platform serving owners, investors, and occupiers across asset classes.
• Lincoln Property Company: Diversified real estate services firm offering development, construction, property management, and investment services. Closely comparable to Equity's integrated Build/Broker/Manage/Invest model with national reach across multiple CRE asset classes.

Broad incumbents

• Cushman & Wakefield: Global CRE services giant providing brokerage, valuation, property management, and project management. Overlaps with Equity's service lines at a much larger scale, with comparable focus on occupier and investor clients across healthcare, retail, and office.
• JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle): Global professional services firm specializing in real estate and investment management. Comparable to Equity's full-service model and healthcare, retail, and office specializations, but operating at significantly greater scale and geographic breadth.
• CBRE Group: World's largest commercial real estate services and investment firm. Offers the full spectrum of services Equity provides — investment sales, leasing, valuation, property management, and project management — with vastly greater scale, capital markets capability, and institutional relationships.

Emerging players

• Marcus & Millichap: Investment real estate brokerage firm focused on commercial property sales, financing, and research. Comparable to Equity's brokerage and capital markets activity on the investment sales side, though narrower in scope (no development/construction).
• Walker & Dunlop: Commercial real estate finance company with capital markets, investment sales, and investment management capabilities. Overlaps with Equity's capital markets and asset management functions, particularly in healthcare and multifamily lending.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/people/Equity-Commercial/61586876233357
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/equity-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/equitycommercial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Equity