From Operator to Advocate: Helping Startups Avoid Real Estate Pitfalls
After nearly two decades in commercial real estate—advising institutional landlords, managing tenant portfolios, and leading both property and asset management—I kept seeing the same thing: early-stage companies were often flying blind when it came to real estate.
Founders were signing leases that didn’t align with their growth trajectory, taking on obligations they didn’t fully understand, or missing opportunities to negotiate terms that could have given them more flexibility. These mistakes weren’t due to poor judgment. They were due to a lack of support. Too often, founders leaned on general advisors or brokers who lacked the cross-functional expertise to guide them through the real estate lifecycle.
I knew I could offer that support—because I’ve been on the other side of the table.
As an Asset Manager, I was responsible for maximizing performance across a diverse portfolio. I led leasing strategies, managed capital and tenant improvement budgets, analyzed tenant financials, worked closely with brokers, and reported directly to stakeholders. I saw firsthand how real estate decisions affected long-term asset value—and how tenant missteps, even small ones, had lasting consequences.
As Vice President of Property Management, I oversaw Class A and B office space in San Francisco and managed lease compliance, capital projects, vendor relations, and tenant improvement plans. I also partnered with real estate workplace teams for some of Silicon Valley’s most innovative startups, companies that needed space to move as fast as they did.
After years of working with founders, CEOs, and workplace strategists, it became clear where I could make the greatest impact: helping startups align their real estate decisions with their funding milestones, team growth, and operating runway. This is especially true for founders juggling rapid hiring, product delivery, investor updates, and a lease full of complex terminology and jargon that no one actually reads.
That’s why I started BackedSpace.co
We understand how startups scale and how landlords operate. We know how headcount projections shape space needs, how burn rate impacts square footage, and how the wrong lease can cost more than just rent. It can slow your growth and compromise your runway.
BackedSpace.co supports early-stage startups through every phase of the real estate journey, from LOI to lease exit. With deep experience across asset management, property operations, and brokerage strategy, we help you make real estate decisions that support your business rather than distract from it.
We manage the full process: strategy, negotiation, lease analysis, compliance, CAM charges, landlord relations, and cost oversight. All so you can focus on what matters most—scaling your company.
Because when your company is backed, your space should be too.
DeMarco
Founder, BackedSpace.co