Starwood Capital Group, a global real estate-focused private investment firm based in Miami Beach, Fla., has launched Starwood Impact Investors, a strategy that looks to invest in real estate opportunities controlled by women and diverse owners and operators across the U.S.

Through this initiative, Starwood Capital is looking to expand its network of operating partners through a mix of joint ventures with established firms and direct investments in emerging companies. The capital for these investments will come from the firm’s existing investment vehicles and will be made across asset types. SII is headed by managing director Bakari Adams and will also look to establish partnerships with organizations focused on educational and talent development.

“At Starwood Capital, we believe that expanding the spectrum of representation will uncover valuable investment opportunities that may have gone unnoticed before,” comments Jeff Dishner, president of Starwood Capital. “By providing more funding and resources to these partners, we aim to address the significant wealth disparity in the built environment.”