60Shravan Parsi hails from Hyderabad, India, where he was raised in a family that valued education and perseverance. His father, despite a mild disability, became one of the top medical doctors in Hyderabad. Watching his father overcome obstacles left a lasting impression on him and taught him that steady effort creates opportunity and success over time.
As a student, Parsi showed curiosity and ambition. In the seventh grade, he changed schools to study English and open doors to the broader world. After junior college, when he did not secure a place in medical school, he chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy at Manipal. Manipal, a recognized international university town and one of India’s top schools, exposed him to scientific knowledge and a global outlook. During this time, Shravan began forming his ambition of creating a pharmaceutical and biotech company in the future.
After earning his undergraduate degree, he pursued graduate education in the United States. He was accepted into St. John’s University in New York, with a scholarship covering most of his tuition. At St. John’s, he completed a master’s in pharmaceutics and industrial pharmacy while serving as a teaching assistant in the compounding pharmacy lab. The experience of combining academics with hands-on teaching responsibilities helped him develop discipline and adaptability.
Parsi began his professional career as a pharmaceutical scientist. He first worked at Schering-Plough (now Merck) in New Jersey at their global headquarters. Later, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he joined DPT Labs and Health Point. In these roles, he worked on developing multiple OTC and prescription drugs. His contributions included a patented antiseptic drug targeting hospital-acquired infections and a wound care therapy designed for the US military. These achievements gave him a strong foundation in data-driven decision-making and product development, skills that would later shape his work in real estate.
While progressing in his career as a scientist, he developed a parallel interest in real estate. He began purchasing single-family homes while still working full-time. Many evenings were spent managing renovations or searching for tenants. What started as a small side project became profitable, encouraging him to leave the lab and devote himself to entrepreneurship.
He went on to found American Ventures, a real estate investment and development firm based in Austin, Texas. The company focuses on multifamily, mixed-use, commercial, and hospitality properties, emphasizing value-add acquisitions and thoughtful development. Under his leadership, American Ventures has acquired or developed more than 4,000 units across $450MM in assets. From 2018 to 2022, he acted as general partner in the exit of over 3,500 units, achieving a weighted average internal rate of return (IRR) of 31.6% on managed exits.
Shravan’s approach to acquisitions reflects both discipline and innovation. He has personally guaranteed loans worth millions of dollars, including a 40-year HUD loan at a fixed rate of 2.96% for a multifamily development near Dallas-Fort Worth. To secure the opportunity, he even used personal funds before investor capital was in place. The development quickly reached 90% occupancy within its first year of completion.
Strategic partnerships have been central to his vision. After interviewing multiple global hospitality groups, he sourced a site on Austin’s South Congress Avenue and partnered with the Marriott Tribute brand. He assembled over 100 acres in San Marcos for East Village, a planned mixed-use community, and over 60 acres in Elgin along the highway for future growth. Over the years, Shravan has raised funds from more than 250 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), family offices, and private equity firms, while also working with institutional investors such as Goldman Sachs and Carlyle. His ability to attract repeat investors demonstrates his track record of performance and credibility.
In 2019, Shravan published The Science of the Deal: The DNA of Multifamily & Commercial Real Estate Investing with Forbes Books. The book, an Amazon Bestseller, offers practical guidance for analyzing and executing real estate transactions. Drawing from his background in science and business, he breaks down complex processes into actionable steps. Shravan Parsi also shares his insights as a frequent panelist at industry gatherings, including IMN’s flagship conferences and family office forums.
Shravan’s leadership style combines scientific discipline with entrepreneurial determination. He emphasizes the importance of KPIs and rigorous underwriting while promoting collaboration across his teams. He works closely with directors, vice presidents, and managers in acquisitions, asset management, and development to ensure alignment at every stage.