When Darryl Clements talks about real estate and finance, he doesn’t just see transactions, he sees transformation. As CEO and co-founder of InterCapital Funding, Clements has spent decades turning challenges into opportunities for property owners and investors, particularly those who often find themselves overlooked by traditional banks.
“InterCapital Funding was the brainchild of me and my wife,” Clements explains. “I started off in finance about 30 years ago doing mortgages. After the 2008 market crash, I bounced around in different areas, but when I was working with a nonprofit, I saw the disparities first-time homebuyers faced. That’s when I knew we had a niche we could capitalize on.”
Founded in 2010, InterCapital Funding specializes in financing projects that fall outside traditional criteria: properties that need significant repair, investors without deep resources or clients unable to meet rigid bank checklists. With a mission to “deliver innovative financial solutions that empower real estate investors and property owners to thrive,” the company has become a trusted partner in revitalizing communities across Michigan and beyond.
Building a System That Serves People First
While many lenders chase high-value deals, Clements is intentional about the pace and structure of growth.
“We’re getting our system and process in place now to where we can take on more people,” he says. “I didn’t want to grow too fast and then fail. Like a restaurant where it takes a day to get your food because the system isn’t tight, I wanted to make sure we could serve people the right way.”
InterCapital’s team includes about eight internal staff members and five external partners, with plans to expand strategically. Clements believes that strong systems — not shortcuts — ensure clients are supported from start to finish.
That support often includes personalized guidance.
“We hold the client’s hand pretty much through the whole process,” Clements says. “Before you sign a purchase agreement, give us a call. We’ll put the numbers together, beta test them and make sure you’ll be successful.”
He describes himself as “more like the big brother,” offering advice without judgment: “If it goes wrong, I’m not going to beat you up. I’ll say, okay, you messed that up — let’s fix it and move forward.”
Breaking Barriers for Underserved Communities
Clements’ philosophy centers on opportunity for those often left behind by large institutions.
“The big players have thresholds they won’t go below,” he says. “If you miss one box on their checklist, they won’t do it. That’s where we step in.”
One example stands out: a Detroit mail carrier who found a house on her route but lacked the LLC, full down payment and traditional qualifications to buy it. InterCapital structured a creative deal with the seller, including a temporary second mortgage, to help her secure the property.
“She was determined not to fail,” Clements recalls. “We helped her structure it, and now she owns her first investment property.”
For Clements, these stories embody his guiding belief: “Little fish become big fish. You want to catch them at the gate.”
Vision and Growth Ahead
Looking forward, InterCapital is building partnerships that extend its reach even further.
“We’re setting up a new program to work with churches and community groups,” Clements says. “The idea is to fix up houses in the neighborhood and sell them to first-time homebuyers. It’s a complete process where everybody prospers; the investors, the contractors and the families moving in.”
He also embraces a mindset of resilience and adaptability.
“I hate when people say, ‘I can’t,’” he says. “That shuts down all your brain cells. Instead, you figure it out. Even if we can’t do the deal, we’ll work it through so we’re ready for the next client.”
For entrepreneurs, his advice is simple but powerful: “Don’t be scared to fail. You can’t be scared on the finance side or the construction side. You have to take risks — but smart ones.”
A Straightforward Leader with a Vision
Clements, an avid reader and lifelong learner, draws inspiration from books and observation. He readily admits he borrows ideas, adapts them and makes them his own.
“Even if I followed you around all day, I could never be you,” he says. “So I take ideas, put my own spin on them and structure them for our clients.”
That openness, paired with a deep commitment to underserved markets, has earned InterCapital Funding recognition, including the Industry Excellence Award for innovation and service. But for Clements, the true reward is seeing clients succeed.
“It’s not all about the money,” he says. “It’s about creating opportunities where everybody wins.”
With a vision to become “one of the major players in the non-financial institutional space,” InterCapital Funding is poised for growth. Guided by Clements’ philosophy of persistence, creativity, and community impact, the company continues to prove that with the right support, even the most challenging deals can turn into bright futures.