Lionheart Capital is a Miami-based diversified investment firm focused on building shareholder value in high-growth companies. Lionheart Capital’s principals have been involved in the successful acquisition, development, repositioning and disposition of real estate and publicly traded assets for nearly 30 years.
As active value-creators in the real estate sector, Lionheart Capital has successfully transacted in all major asset classes including office, industrial, retail, hospitality, ultra-luxury residential condominiums, office condominiums and hotel condominiums. Lionheart Capital collaborates with best-in-class partners and has extensive banking relationships with community, national, and international banks.
In 2017, Lionheart Capital subsidiary, Out of the Box Ventures was formed to acquire and reposition distressed retail properties nationally. With over 13 properties in 9 states, the company currently owns in excess of 3 million SF of big boxes, shopping centers and enclosed regional mall properties with plans to improve and develop these acquisitions.
In March of 2020, a Lionheart Capital affiliate became the sponsor of OPES Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: OPES). Nine months later, the company completed its acquisition of BurgerFi, the fast-casual ‘better-burger’ concept known for their all-natural, hormone-free, antibiotic-free hamburgers. On December 17, 2020, Nasdaq welcomed BurgerFi International Inc. (Nasdaq: BFI) in the opening bell ceremony to celebrate the first day of trading as BFI. On October 11, 2021, BurgerFi announced the acquisition of Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings, creating a multi-brand platform of premium casual restaurant concepts. BurgerFi was named Fast Casual’s #1 Brand of the year for 2021 in the “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” list, and the top fast casual better burger chain in USA Today’s “10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards” for 2021. With the acquisition of Anthony’s, BurgerFi will have 177 systemwide restaurant locations across the country through its two premium casual dining brands, with 61 Anthony’s locations and 116 BurgerFi locations.
Also in 2019, Lionheart Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq: LCAP) was founded as the company’s second acquisition. On August 21, 2020, the company raised $230M with its initial public offering and was welcomed into the Nasdaq family with the ringing of the opening bell. On July 12, 2021, Lionheart Acquisition Corp. II announced its business combination with MSP Recovery, headquartered in Coral Gables, is a leader in data-driven solutions, recovering improperly paid benefits on behalf of Medicare, Medicaid and commercial payers. MSP’s valuation is estimated to be $32 billion. On May 26, 2022, MSP Recovery went public on Nasdaq under the ticker MSPR.
In March 2021, Lionheart III was filed as the company’s third acquisition with a $100M raise. Lionheart III is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker LION. On November 4, 2021, Lionheart III, raised $250M with its initial public offering and was welcomed into the Nasdaq family, trading under LION. On July 26, 2022, Lionheart III announced its business combination agreement with Security Matters Limited (“SMX”) (ASX:SMX), a publicly traded company on the Australian Securities Exchange, bringing the expected combined entity value to $360M. SMX creates a sustainable system within the current supply chain, designed for the 21st century economy. On March 8, 2023, Security Matters announced the closing of its previously announced business combination and SMX’s ordinary shares commenced trading on the Nasdaq Global Market and warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market, under the ticker symbols “SMX” and “SMXWW.”
In May 2021, Lionheart Capital acquired the legendary and iconic American speed boat racing brand, Cigarette Racing Team, synonymous for custom-made, handcrafted, high-powered luxury performance powerboats. Cigarette’s reputation as the market’s premier powerboat builder has roots deep in offshore racing’s history where performance made its early run for glory. From its inception in 1969, the company grew in size and reputation, based on the hard-racing, fast-lane living of its founder, Don Aronow. The Cigarette brand has grown in sophistication, becoming a product excellence company which focuses on impeccable engineering and beautiful design. Cigarette now builds the finest powerboats for the most loyal and discriminating performance boaters, using only the best in materials, technology and workmanship.
