Deepak Sharma, Managing Partner

Serial Entrepreneur | Investor | Technologist

Deepak Sharma is an accomplished serial entrepreneur with over two decades of global experience across Information Technology, Travel Technology, Finance, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and Services. Since the early 2000s, he has founded and scaled multiple ventures in the United States, Asia, and emerging markets, earning recognition for building high-growth, innovation-driven enterprises.

Key Highlights:

• Venture Leadership: Successfully founded and led companies from early-stage startups to publicly listed and institutionally backed entities.
• Financial Structuring Expertise: Skilled in private equity, cross-border partnerships, mezzanine financing, and syndicated investments.
• Regulatory & Compliance Strength: Deep understanding of U.S. securities law, particularly real estate investment structures, LP/GP models, and Regulation D syndications—ensuring full compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, SEC guidelines, and Blue-Sky exemptions.

As the founder of SANDBOX Hospitality Group and ARNA Global Venture Partners, Deepak leads diversified investments across traditional sectors and emerging technologies. His portfolio spans hospitality ventures affiliated with global brands such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Choice Hotels, Best Western, and Little Caesars, alongside deep tech investments in Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, Material Science, Digital Innovation, and Life Sciences.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Deepak is an active investor focused on transformative technologies shaping the future of industry and capital markets. His advisory roles in blockchain, AI, and quantum technology startups reflect his commitment to driving innovation and supporting nextgeneration founders.

Deepak’s educational foundation spans technology, management, and law, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach to entrepreneurship and investment. He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from Ferris State University in Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from DDIT in India.

Ronak Soni, Managing Partner

Entrepreneur | Real Estate & Hospitality Specialist | International Trade Expert

Ronak Soni is a dynamic entrepreneur and the Managing Partner of the Sandbox Hospitality Group & Soniz Group of Companies. Over the past decade, he has driven strategic growth across the U.S. and international markets, specializing in high-yield investments within Real Estate, Hospitality, and International Trade.

Key Highlights:

• Hospitality Focus: Expertise in franchise hotel development and operations, partnering with leading brands like Marriott, Hilton, and IHG.
• EB-5 Leadership: Seven-plus years of experience successfully structuring and executing legally compliant EB-5 investment projects.
• Sector Diversification: Instrumental in scaling operations across diverse sectors, including technology and organic agriculture.

Ronak holds a Master of Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology from the University of Waterloo, underscoring his commitment to innovation and sustained excellence in complex business environments.

Ronak Soni's commitment extends beyond his primary corporate responsibilities through active leadership and advisory roles in key industry associations:

• Committee Member, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce: Active participation in a leading trade body, fostering economic cooperation and bilateral business opportunities between India and the U.S.
• Advisory Member, Various Real Estate Technology Startups: Leveraging deep real estate and technology expertise to guide emerging proptech ventures, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to industry innovation.

Financial Strategy, Board of Advisors

Truc was formerly a Principal at KPMG for sixteen years focused on M&A Practice managing 3 billion USD plus in transaction across various industry including Hospitality.

Truc also has diverse experience over 30+ year career in SEC filings, M&A, Auditing and Derivatives Risk Management.

Truc has led cross border deal teams in 51 countries, across 6 continents. Truc currently lives in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and has a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Sussex.

Board of Advisors

- Mr. Francese representing various financial services institutions, investment advisers and investment companies, public and private companies and investors in complex transactions and risk management.

- He earned Jurist Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law

He also serves as Board of Trustee for Huntington diseases society of America (HDSA)

He also serves as Chairman for Barrier Free Living (Civic & Social Organization)

Construction Manager

Land Development & Construction Management Specialist
Wes Hill is an accomplished construction and development manager with more than two decades of experience delivering complex residential, commercial, and land development projects in Colorado and New Mexico. As Construction Manager for Sandbox Developers, he brings a solutionsdriven mindset, deep technical expertise, and a proven ability to lead projects from concept through completion

Professional Highlights

• Comprehensive Construction Expertise: Skilled across all phases of development, including design, preconstruction, entitlement procurement, vertical and civil construction, and project closeout.
• Major Infrastructure Delivery: Successfully installed more than $10 million in city rightofway infrastructure over the past five years.
• HighValue Real Estate Transactions: Acquired, negotiated, and managed projects involving national brands such as Maverik Gas, Starbucks, Hilton Home2, UHaul, US Eagle Credit Union, Toyota, McDonald’s, and multiple multifamily and assistedliving developments.
• Regulatory & Municipal Relations: Developed strong working relationships with regulatory agencies and city councils, ensuring smooth entitlement processes and project approvals.
• TradeRooted Leadership: Built his career from the ground up through handson trade experience, providing a practical, fielddriven perspective to project management and subcontractor coordination.
• Operational Excellence: Experienced in scheduling, budgeting, value engineering, subcontractor management, and maintaining highperformance jobsite operations.

Industry Credentials & Education

• Project Management Professional Training
• OSHA Certified
• Associate Degree, General Education Studies
• Associate Degree, General Education Studies
• Associate Degree, General Education Studies