Chapter 10: Inside the 10%: Why This EB-5 Project Passes the Test and Stands Apart
EB-5 veteran Dennis Cunningham explains why the EVelution Energy cobalt facility is a rare, high-impact, and strategically important investment opportunity.
In Chapter 10 of our exclusive interview series, Michael Gibson speaks with Dennis Cunningham, President of EB5 Horizon and Operating Partner at Intermestic Capital, about what it really takes for an EB-5 project to qualify.
Dennis shares that for every EB-5-eligible project, there are 10–20 that simply don’t meet the requirements — often because they aren’t shovel-ready or lack the right partners.
What makes the EVelution Energy cobalt processing facility different?
Strategic importance: Critical to U.S. clean energy and electric vehicle supply chain initiatives.
Shovel-ready: Years of preparation by experienced developers have brought the project to launch.
Risk protection: A stronger profile than many traditional commercial or real estate projects.
“This project brings together talented, committed partners at exactly the right time,” Dennis says. “It’s exciting to be part of something that truly matters on a national scale.”
Watch Chapter 10 now and see why this opportunity stands out in the EB-5 marketplace.
Evelution Energy Interview Chapter 9
Michael Gibson, USAdvisors, interviews Dennis Cunningham, Operating Partner, Intermestic Capital & Pressident EB5 Horizon
Transcript
Evelution Energy Interview Chapter 10 Transcript
Michael Gibson, Managing Director of US Advisors (USAdvisors.org) an independent Registered Investment Advisory Firm. Michael also owns and runs EB-5 Investments (eb5projects.com) and is an EB5 industry expert.
Marco Lopez, Managing Partner, Intermestic Capital
Sergio Chavez-Moreno, Operating Partner Intermestic Capital
Dennis Cunningham, Operating Partner Intermestic Capital, President EB5 Horizon
Michael Gibson, speaking
Dennis, you've been, you've been in the EB5 program since 2010. You have a lot of experience. I mean, do you see what I'm saying? As far as, 90% of the projects are, you know, what I would call just not relevant. Not relevant to the national conversation. This project is exciting because it is so important and it's rare. But it's rare. Why? Why do you think that is? And can you talk about how excited you are to see something like this in the market?
Dennis Cunningham, speaking
Thanks, Mike. I first heard about EB 5 in 2009. And got actively involved in 2010. It's hard to qualify for an EB 5 project, From the project sponsor side. For every project that is interesting, I look at 10 or 15. I’m sure Sergio and Marco would say the same thing. We look at 10 or 15 or 20 projects that don't qualify, for a number of reasons. So people, developers, sponsors, EB 5 experts find a model that works and they want to stay with it, Cause it's messy. I've invented the cookie, I just want to keep doing it. What is exciting about this is you’ve got people who are so talented and committed, like Navaid and Gil are for the EV project, and have spent years to bring it to this point! The other problem that's hard with EB 5, is the project’s got to be almost shovel ready. Sergio talked about access, right? We were fortunate to find access with these two great, great guys, and this great project at the right time! If they would have talked to us two years ago, we would have said, sorry. We can't help you, cause you weren't far enough of down, down the line. It's exciting be part of a project that is critical for the development strategic initiatives of the United States. And it is something that is in a space that is more risk protected, than maybe the typical, commercial development or real estate development. For, for those things, I, I, I really like this project.