About InnKey Capital

Built on decades of hands-on experience in real estate and finance.

Decades of ownership, disciplined execution, and clear guidance through complex deals — for borrowers and investors who deserve a team that has been in the room.

Our story

From hospitality ownership
to financing expertise.

InnKey Capital didn’t start in a boardroom. It was built from decades of owning and operating hotels, gas stations, shopping centers, and apartment buildings and watching the financing process fail the people who deserved better.

We saw firsthand how complex, slow, and opaque the lending process was for hard-working business owners. So we built something better: a team that combines real operational experience with disciplined financial execution.

Since 1979

Roots in financial planning & real estate

Drawing on experience from the IDS/American Express management team, our work in financial planning, real estate syndication, and development builds the foundation of a disciplined approach to capital and risk.

Since 1985

Hospitality, gas stations & C-store ownership

Decades of owning and operating hotels, motels, gas stations, convenience stores, apartment buildings, and shopping centers across multiple states.

2008–2012

Financing became the bottleneck

The financial crisis exposed how badly the lending system served small business owners. Financing — not operations — became the primary barrier to growth and acquisition.

Since 2013

Deep SBA hospitality coordination

Arranging millions of dollars in SBA financing for hotel and motel operators through approved SBA lenders — building deep expertise in deal structure, borrower qualification, and closing coordination.

Since ~2022

Expanded into private & bridge lending

Launched direct private lending through our affiliate, funding over $3 million of our own capital in real estate-secured loans with zero defaults to date.

InnKey Today

Clarity and disciplined execution

Delivering clear, structured financing solutions and private investment opportunities for borrowers and investors who want a team they can trust.

Our principles

What we believe

These principles aren’t values posted in a lobby — they’re the discipline behind every deal we structure, every relationship we build, and every decision we make, guided by transparency and a firm principle:

Before approving any loan, we evaluate each opportunity with the same discipline, underwriting standards, and risk assessment when evaluating an investment opportunity for ourselves.

01

We make a complicated process simple — for everyone involved.

02

Clarity reduces risk. Confusion is where deals — and trust — break down.

03

Discipline matters more than hype. We'd rather do fewer deals, done right.

04

Guidance doesn't stop at closing. Our relationship extends beyond the transaction.

05

Trust is built through consistent execution — not marketing materials.

The team

Leadership

Two founders. Decades of real-world experience. A shared commitment to getting deals right.

Vijay Puniani, Founder, InnKey Capital

Vijay Puniani

Founder

A former Divisional Manager with IDS/American Express Financial Advisors, Vijay brings over 40 years of combined experience in real estate, hospitality ownership, and private lending. He has syndicated, owned, and operated apartment buildings, hotels, shopping centers, gas stations, and convenience stores across multiple states.

Since 2013, Vijay has arranged millions of dollars in SBA financing for hotel and motel operators. His underwriting approach is built around downside protection, conservative collateral valuation, and a deep understanding of what it takes to operate a business successfully.

"After decades of owning and operating hotels and gas stations, I know the risks behind every deal. My goal is to help borrowers and investors succeed."

40+ years experience Hospitality operations SBA lending Private lending Real estate
Aatish Puniani, Aatish Puniani

Aatish Puniani

Co-Founder · Managing Principal

Aatish brings a structured approach to complex problems — combining creative problem-solving with a focus on clarity, trust, and long-term relationships. He works closely with borrowers and investors through every stage of a transaction, ensuring that even the most complex deals are understood and executed with confidence.

His focus is on building InnKey as an institution — one grounded in trust, disciplined decision-making, and thoughtful growth that serves both borrowers and investors for the long term.

"This is about clarity and structure in a process that feels overwhelming. We're building InnKey on trust, long-term relationships, and thoughtful growth."

Strategic problem-solving Transaction advisory Trust-based growth Investor relations
Our process

How we work

A structured approach that keeps deals clear and moving — no unnecessary complexity, no surprises.

01

Evaluate the deal

Before approving any loan, we evaluate each opportunity with the same discipline, underwriting standards, and risk assessment when evaluating an investment opportunity for ourselves.

02

Structure the financing

SBA loan coordination and private options when needed. We match the borrower to the right instrument and guide the full documentation and underwriting process.

03

Close with confidence

A strict underwriting process with full coordination across underwriters, appraisers, attorneys, title companies, and franchisors — from closing and beyond.

References

Call our customers

Don’t take our word for it. Reach out to borrowers we’ve worked with directly.

piyush

Piyush Patel

Hotel Owner · Borrower

"They helped me with four loans, including Subway and 3 motels. They helped more than 10 of my family members and friends. They tell you everything upfront and honestly. No surprises, no excuses."

317-414-3506
waseem

Waseem Serwar

Gas Station Owner · Borrower

"They helped me secure a $500,000 loan against my apartment building, which I used as the down payment to acquire my first hotel. They then arranged the SBA loan for the motel, and two years later assisted with financing for my second motel as well."

563-599-2021
dinkar

Dinkar Patel

Hotel Owner · Borrower

"Since 2020, I have bought and sold four motels. They handled all the loans, including loans for my buyers. They make it so easy for me — even years later, if I need any old documents, they provide them very quickly."

317-938-8543

Ready to work together?

We’re here to help — evenings, weekends, any day of the week.

Call us now 689-278-2223
This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. Any offering is made solely through the Private Placement Memorandum and related subscription documents pursuant to Regulation D for accredited investors only. Investors are required to prove accredited investor status with a letter from their CPA, financial statement or tax returns. No information contained on this website constitutes an offer to extend consumer credit or residential mortgage financing. All loans are processed through our affiliates.