Chris Sipes

Co-Founder, Managing Principal

Role

As Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Wayfinder, Chris leads investment strategy, capital formation, and strategic partnerships for the firm. Drawing on a diverse background in real estate and operating business investing, he plays an integral role in sourcing and structuring high-conviction opportunities across Wayfinder’s target markets.

Journey to Wayfinder

Chris began his career in commercial mortgage banking at Texas Realty Capital, where he built a foundational understanding of capital markets and real estate finance. Amid the Global Financial Crisis, he joined JLM Financial, an Austin-based firm focused on acquiring non-performing commercial real estate loans. At JLM, Chris underwrote and performed due diligence on over $300 million in loan portfolios and later served as Director of Operations, overseeing property management, debt placement, and dispositions.

He later served as Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Caprock Partners, a family office formed to manage investments for the co-founders of Quantum Energy Partners. At Caprock, Chris led real estate and private equity investments across the U.S., with a focus on low-tech, high-barrier-to-entry assets. These were active, hands-on investments requiring deep operational engagement and strategic execution.

The firm’s strong emphasis on wealth preservation gave Chris a deep appreciation for the personal nature of investing and helped fine-tune his approach to risk mitigation, stewardship, and alignment. That experience ultimately reignited his entrepreneurial drive and brought him back to the U.S. full-time, where the vision for Wayfinder took root.

About Chris

Chris holds a BBA in Finance from the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. He lives in Austin with his wife, Paige, and their two children, Marigold and Leo. He is a member of the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO) in Austin, reflecting his passion for entrepreneurship and business leadership.

As a family, the Sipes prioritize charitable efforts aimed at maximizing impact in childhood development and education—an area that holds deep meaning for Chris, who was the first in his extended family to graduate from college. Outside of work, he enjoys fly fishing, college football, and planning the family’s next adventure.