Scaling Smart Real Estate Development with Avner Krohn

Avner Krohn is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Jasko Development, a vertically integrated real estate development firm based in New Britain, Connecticut. Under his leadership, Jasko has delivered a wide range of projects across the multifamily, healthcare, and retail sectors—focused primarily on underserved urban cores in the Northeast.

Avner launched his entrepreneurial career at age 10 and has since spent more than two decades working across real estate development, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse. With deep expertise in finance, public-private partnerships, and ground-up construction, Avner has led the development of over 400 residential units and commercial properties, with another 500+ units currently in pre-development.

He is widely respected for his ability to navigate the complex intersection of development, government, and community needs. Avner is also an advocate for mission-aligned growth, integrating long-term public benefit with investor returns. 

Insights from Avner Krohn on Public-Private Partnerships in Real Estate Development

With a background that bridges entrepreneurial grit and large-scale execution, Avner Krohn brings a rare blend of strategic insight and real-world experience to the commercial real estate space. His vertically integrated firm, Jasko Development, has carved out a niche working with municipalities to unlock challenging projects that others overlook.

In this episode of The Dealmakers’ Edge, Aaron Strauss speaks with Avner about the real dynamics of public-private partnerships, from how to build trust with city officials to structuring deals that actually pencil in tough markets. Avner also shares how he’s scaled a lean but powerful team, why mindset matters more than market timing, and what keeps him grounded through the ups and downs of development.

2:13 – Avner’s early days: entrepreneurship at age 10 and launching his first business

5:45 – Lessons from Israel, building a foundation in real estate and finance outside the traditional path

8:58 – First deal in Brooklyn and the road to larger-scale development

13:35 – Structuring turnkey solutions for the healthcare and retail sectors

16:12 – The anatomy of public-private partnerships and why most developers miss the mark

20:43 – What municipalities actually need (and how to earn their trust)

24:01 – Managing a growing business while staying present with a young family

26:47 – How Avner balances optimism with realism in turbulent markets

Mentioned In Scaling Smart Real Estate Development with Avner Krohn

Jasko Development | LinkedIn | Avner Krohn

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Chapters

• 2:13 Avner’s early days: entrepreneurship at age 10 and launching his first business
• 5:45 Lessons from Israel, building a foundation in real estate and finance outside the traditional path
• 8:58 First deal in Brooklyn and the road to larger-scale development
• 13:35 Structuring turnkey solutions for the healthcare and retail sectors
• 16:12 The anatomy of public-private partnerships and why most developers miss the mark
• 20:43 What municipalities actually need (and how to earn their trust)
• 24:01 Managing a growing business while staying present with a young family
• 26:47 How Avner balances optimism with realism in turbulent markets