William Lively is not one to accept the status quo. As the founder and CEO of EXtrance, Inc., he has spent over a decade blending finance and technology to reshape how investments work, particularly in commercial real estate. His fintech platform, powered by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain, has introduced new ways for investors to navigate private markets with ease and transparency. From his early days advising startups to launching a foundation that champions digital literacy, Lively’s career shows a drive to solve problems and create opportunity where others see barriers.
“I’ve always been drawn to complexity, whether in markets, systems, or human behavior,” Lively says. “Early in my career, I saw how antiquated systems were stifling innovation in real estate and private equity. That gap inspired me. I believed that with the right combination of technology, transparency, and trust, we could completely reimagine the way capital flows.” This conviction has guided his work, from co-founding a blockchain infrastructure company to building EXtrance into a platform a major investment bank has now acquired.
From Minnesota Markets to Blockchain Ventures
Lively’s journey began in Minnesota, where his fascination with markets and systems took root. He observed how outdated processes in real estate and private equity hindered progress and restricted access. Early in his career, he worked as a partner at DCI Capital Advisors, a firm focused on blockchain venture capital. There, he advised high-growth startups, helping them secure funding and adopt cutting-edge technology. That experience showed him the potential of blockchain to transform financial systems, setting the stage for his later ventures.
Before EXtrance, William Lively co-founded SyndEX Labs, where he spearheaded the development of blockchain-based tools for alternative investments. The work was technical and demanding, but it gave him a front-row seat to the challenges investors faced: complex processes, lack of transparency, and rigid capital lockups. These insights would later fuel the creation of EXtrance, a platform designed to address those very issues.
By 2021, Lively had launched EXtrance, Inc. His vision was clear: use technology to make investments more accessible, efficient, and transparent. That year marked a defining moment when EXtrance introduced its SEC-compliant Qualified Matching Service. This first-of-its-kind system allowed investors to buy, sell, or adjust positions within private funds as easily as trading stocks. “When institutional partners saw the platform in action and recognized its potential, everything changed,” Lively says. “We weren’t just building software; we were reshaping access to private markets.”
William Lively Builds a Platform for Change
EXtrance stands out in a crowded fintech field because it tackles a problem others have long ignored: illiquidity in private equity. Traditional funds often lock up capital for years, discouraging many investors, especially those new to the market. Lively’s platform changed that by introducing intra-fund liquidity, allowing investors to move capital without disrupting a fund’s operations or incurring additional compliance costs. This innovation, when paired with AI and machine learning, provides fund managers with tools to identify trends, predict risks, and streamline reporting.
One standout example involved a fund managing over $3 billion in assets. Before EXtrance, its reporting cycles took six weeks. After adopting the platform, the time dropped to 48 hours. The fund also saw a surge in capital commitments, as the flexibility of intra-fund liquidity attracted new investors. “The result was a measurable increase in capital commitments and an expanded investor base,” Lively says, noting how the platform opened doors for qualified individuals previously excluded by rigid fund structures.
The platform’s success lies in its blend of technologies. Blockchain ensures secure and transparent transactions, while AI analyzes data in real-time, flagging anomalies and providing predictive insights. This combination has helped clients cut operational costs by up to 80% and achieve near-zero reporting errors. For Lively, the goal was never just about building a blockchain company. “EXtrance wasn’t built as a blockchain company chasing buzzwords,” he says. “It was built to solve fundamental problems in capital markets.”
William Lively Leads with Purpose
William Lively’s leadership style is grounded in what he calls “practical innovation.” He believes technology should serve people, not dazzle them with jargon. “The philosophy has always been rooted in practical innovation; technology that solves,” he says.
At EXtrance, this means a team split evenly between developers and client-focused strategists. Half the staff builds blockchain and AI tools, while the other half, comprising compliance experts and investor specialists, ensures that those tools deliver real-world results. This structure keeps innovation tied to client needs, whether it’s cutting costs or improving investor trust.
His values, integrity, innovation, and inclusion shape every decision. “At the end of the day, trust is the real currency in business and life,” Lively says. This belief drives his commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency. EXtrance’s Qualified Matching Service was built to meet SEC standards from the start, with blockchain providing an unalterable audit trail and AI automating compliance checks. This approach has allowed the platform to scale without sacrificing security.
Lively’s focus on inclusion extends beyond technology. In 2020, he founded the William M. Lively Foundation to bring digital literacy and entrepreneurship to underserved communities in Minnesota.
Giving Back to Communities
The William M. Lively Foundation reflects Lively’s belief that technology can level the playing field. One of its programs, a fellowship for individuals transitioning out of incarceration or addiction recovery, has already had a significant impact. Lively shared the story of a young man who joined the program after struggling to find work due to a past conviction. With the foundation’s support, he gained skills and confidence, eventually becoming a program director who now mentors others. “Watching his transformation reminded me that sometimes the most meaningful investments aren’t financial, they’re in people’s potential,” Lively says.
The foundation also supports initiatives promoting mental health and programs fostering economic mobility. Partnering with local nonprofits, it provides resources for education and job training, helping individuals rebuild their lives.
“I’m most proud of founding the William M. Lively Foundation,” Lively says, “Through our initiatives, we’ve been able to fund educational access, support mental health programs, and invest in underserved communities. We believe in giving people a second chance because everyone deserves one.”
These efforts have made a tangible impact. The foundation’s programs have reached hundreds of Minnesotans, offering pathways to careers in technology and entrepreneurship. For Lively, this work is personal. It’s a way to ensure that the benefits of innovation reach those who need them most.
William Lively Shapes the Future of Finance
As blockchain and AI continue to evolve, William Lively envisions a future where these technologies collaborate to make investments more innovative and accessible. “Blockchain is no longer emerging, it’s maturing,” he says. “Enterprises are now demanding systems that go beyond record-keeping to deliver real business value.” At EXtrance, this means combining blockchain’s security with AI’s ability to analyze investor sentiment and predict fund performance. The result is a platform that provides real-time insights and personalized reporting, transforming the way funds operate.
William Lively also highlights the increasing role of IoT in real estate. By feeding property data into EXtrance’s models, the platform can track asset performance and inform investment decisions. This convergence of technologies —blockchain, AI, and IoT —creates what Lively calls “intelligent liquidity,” providing investors with flexibility and confidence in private markets.
The numbers speak to EXtrance’s impact. Over the past two years, the platform has grown by 300% annually, managing over $550 billion in assets across North America and Europe. Clients have seen significant returns, from reduced administrative time to higher investor engagement. For Lively, these outcomes reflect his definition of success: “When your work reflects your values, when the impact you create is greater than the recognition you receive, that’s success.”
A Legacy of Impact
William Lively’s story is one of persistence and purpose. From his early work at DCI Capital to the creation of EXtrance, he has consistently pushed for innovation that serves people. His platform has redefined private equity, making it more accessible and efficient, while his foundation has opened doors for those often left behind. As EXtrance prepares for its acquisition by one of the world’s largest investment banks, Lively remains focused on the bigger picture: building systems that create opportunity and trust.
He draws inspiration from leaders like Reed Hastings, whose ability to reinvent Netflix through culture and innovation resonates with Lively’s own approach. “Great leaders don’t just build products, they build ecosystems that scale impact,” he says. For Lively, that ecosystem includes not just technology but also the people it empowers, from investors to those finding a fresh start through his foundation.
As he looks ahead, Lively remains grounded in his values. “Don’t rush clarity,” he advises. “It’s okay not to have all the answers. What matters more is your willingness to keep asking the right questions.” For William Lively, those questions have led to a career that bridges innovation and impact, leaving a lasting mark on finance and the communities he serves.
