Groma

Groma (GromaCORP, Inc.) is a Boston-based real estate firm that acquires, renovates and operates small-unit-count urban multifamily buildings, typically 2-20 units, a segment it calls micro-multifamily and which in Greater Boston consists largely of "triple-deckers" [4][6]. The properties are held in the Groma Real Estate Trust, an open-ended private REIT whose shares are represented on-chain as GromaCoin. Each GromaCoin is a share in the Trust and is issued as an ERC-3643 token, a compliance-oriented extension of the ERC-20 standard that supports dividend payments, redemptions and eventual secondary-market trading; an earlier description of the system referred to fungible ERC-20 tokens running in parallel with traditional REIT shares held by a transfer agent [0][3][7]. One third-party analysis states the token runs on the Base network [6].

Coin value is derived from the Trust's net asset value: properties are valued quarterly by Groma's internal investment advisor with third-party appraisal fact checks and an annual third-party audit, and coins are minted or redeemed at the prevailing per-coin value, with the Trust holding cash reserves to fund redemptions subject to periodic limits [3]. Holders realize returns through quarterly distributions — the REIT must distribute at least 90% of taxable income — and through appreciation in the underlying assets [3]. Groma also promotes "rentvesting" and a "Liquid Mortgage" concept intended to let renters convert part of their rent into Trust ownership via smart-contract-secured loans; as of May 2026 one outside analysis reported rentvesting had not launched for non-accredited renters [3][6][7]. The company additionally offers an UPREIT program letting owners of small multifamily buildings exchange a property for a mix of cash (up to 50%, optionally spread over three years as guaranteed quarterly payments) and tax-deferred GromaREIT shares [4]. Groma states it maintains an ecosystem of 3,000 investors, renters and rentvestors and more than 10 partners [0].

Founding story

Chris Lehman, who studied political science and economics at Harvard and previously worked in healthcare and e-commerce analytics (including Amundsen and Wayfair), began discussing how to design a better currency with founding team member Seth Priebatsch in 2020. Those conversations led to the concept of tokenized real estate ownership and to their co-authorship of the Groma whitepaper; Lehman serves as Groma's Policy Architect, handling external political engagement [7]. A third-party profile describes Priebatsch — previously founder of restaurant mobile-payments company LevelUp, which Grubhub acquired in July 2018 — as a Groma founder alongside Lehman, who it says joined around 2020 [6].

Business model

Groma operates as a vertically integrated owner-operator: it acquires and renovates small multifamily rental properties, manages them, and holds them in the Groma Real Estate Trust, whose equity it sells to investors as REIT shares/GromaCoin. Capital is raised through securities offerings (historically Regulation D 506(c) for accredited investors, with Reg CF/Reg A+ testing-the-waters and a live Wefunder campaign with a $100 minimum) and through UPREIT contributions of buildings in exchange for cash plus shares [2][4][7].

Revenue derives from rental income on the owned portfolio, from which the REIT pays quarterly distributions to shareholders; at least 90% of taxable income must be distributed, with the remainder retained as a cash buffer or reinvested [0][3][4].

Traction

Company materials report a Groma Real Estate Trust portfolio of 125 properties with over 1,000 units and $1.6M in revenue, and elsewhere on the same site 150+ properties, 700+ units and $25M+ annual rent roll, plus $137M total ecosystem value, 3,000 community members and 10+ partners [0]. Reported coin value is $1.07 with 7.03% annualized total return since inception, 5.56% annualized appreciation and a 3.74% dividend yield [0][5]. The whitepaper reports dividends grew to 3% annually as of Q4 2025 with a 4-5% target for 2026, and 4% appreciation in 2025 [3]. An external review reports approximately 125+ buildings and 700 units in the Trust, revenue around $2 million, 218 token holders as of late May 2026, a February 2026 PPM stating the Trust had raised $58.8 million from over 100 shareholders as of November 2025, and minimal on-chain activity (monthly transfer volume of $32, 31 transfers, one active address in 30 days) [6].

Latest developments

Groma's offering materials site lists a $1.07 share price and 3.74% Q2 distribution rate for Groma Nav REIT, Inc. Class A common stock, updated August 15, 2026 [5]. A Wefunder Reg CF campaign for the Groma Real Estate Trust is live with a $100 minimum and a GromaCoin beta waitlist for early access [2]. The whitepaper targets a public GromaCoin launch in the first half of 2026 and 4-5% dividends for 2026 [3]. An external analysis references a March 2026 partnership announcement with Modern Treasury and reports 218 holders as of late May 2026, up about 15% over 30 days [6].