In Episode 12 of Unconventional, host Bill Tessar sits down with Sean Morgan, Co-Founder and CEO of Forecasa, one of the most talked-about analytics platforms in private lending. Sean’s story isn’t just about numbers—it’s about how grit, curiosity, and purpose can turn data into direction.
From Rooftops to Real Estate Data
Sean’s roots are far from Silicon Valley. Raised in a working-class family in Northeast Philadelphia, his father was a union roofer who came to the U.S. from Ireland with nothing but work ethic and determination.
“From a young age, my dad taught me that if you’re going to do something, do it right,” Sean recalls. “It doesn’t matter if it’s roofing or running a business—give it everything.”
That mindset stayed with him. By the time he graduated college at 17, Sean was already used to working long hours, balancing jobs with school to build the future he envisioned.
From CPA to Data Visionary
After five years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Sean left accounting to join an oil and gas startup. There, he discovered how to transform public drilling data into business insights. That breakthrough became his first company, NavPort, which later sold to RS Energy and ultimately to Blackstone.
The experience proved a lesson that stuck: data, when organized and understood, can reshape entire industries.
Flipping Houses and the Model
In 2020, Sean and three co-founders launched Forecasa to bring transparency to private lending. What began as a bootstrapped startup during COVID is now a national platform tracking 99% of U.S. mortgages and deeds.
Forecasa helps lenders understand their market share, identify new borrowers, and uncover risks before they surface. “We’re creating clarity in an industry that’s long operated in the dark,” Sean says.
Beyond Data: Building Trust
Forecasa’s growth philosophy—what Sean calls “maximum sustainable growth”—is as unconventional as it is intentional. The company has never taken outside capital, choosing instead to grow through purpose and partnership.
It’s also built for protection. In a space where borrower defaults and fraud aren’t reported to credit bureaus, Forecasa identifies potential risks early. “We’re helping lenders make smarter, safer decisions,” Sean explains.
Lyra: AI as the New North Star
Now, Forecasa is taking its mission further with Lyra, its new AI assistant designed to help lenders find opportunity and mitigate risk in real time. “Lyra lets users ask questions in plain English and get actionable insights instantly,” Sean says. “It’s like having a data scientist on your team.”
The Unconventional Mindset
For Sean, leadership is rooted in humility and heart. Every morning, he reminds his kids:
“Listeners and learners are leaders.”
It’s a philosophy that defines Forecasa—combining data and empathy to create impact that lasts. As Bill Tessar puts it: “Being unconventional isn’t about breaking rules—it’s about rewriting them.”
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