John Chen Hillsborough
John Chen Hillsborough
Owner, Value Growth Properties - Real Estate Development
Owner, Value Growth Properties - Real Estate Development
John Chen Hillsborough has developed a career defined by steady progress across real estate, finance, technology, hospitality, and private investing. His professional journey reflects a commitment to consistency, thoughtful execution, and long-term value rather than shortcuts. Raised in the Bay Area, he has remained closely connected to Hillsborough, where his personal life and professional identity continue to be grounded in Northern California.
John Chen is the owner of Value Growth Properties, based in Hillsborough, where he develops and provides consulting services for real estate projects and capital financing throughout the Bay Area. His work is informed by more than two decades of experience building operating platforms, managing sizable teams, and navigating multiple market cycles. His approach emphasizes discipline, preparation, and measured decision-making shaped by firsthand experience.
He attended Menlo School in Atherton, graduating in 1990, and earned a degree in Economics from UC Berkeley in 1994. His academic background strengthened his understanding of capital, incentives, and risk, which later became central to his work as a real estate investor and entrepreneur. The analytical foundation developed during these years continues to inform his professional judgment.
John chose an unconventional path following college. Rather than entering a traditional corporate environment, he sought roles where accountability was direct and performance was measured daily. This early decision reflected a desire to learn through responsibility and proximity to leadership, setting the tone for the opportunities he pursued later in his career.
In 1999, he entered real estate brokerage and founded Infoloan, also known as the Mortgage Superstore, along with Infohome, a mortgage and real estate services firm. At a time when online financial services were still emerging, the goal was to build systems that combined technology with disciplined sales execution. This effort required adaptability and a willingness to operate in an evolving market.
John Chen went on to hire and train well over 300 licensed agents and facilitated more than $7 billion in closed transactions from 1999 through the present through Infoloan. The company operated offices in both Silicon Valley and Taiwan, requiring consistent standards, operational structure, and careful oversight across regions.
During the early dot com period, Infoloan ranked number 4 on Gomez.com’s list of top online loan agents. This recognition reinforced the idea that organizations can scale without sacrificing quality. The experience influenced how growth and execution were approached in later real estate development and investment work.
John expanded his involvement in technology in 2003 when he co-founded ImportNow.com, an international online marketplace connecting buyers and suppliers across national borders. As co-founder and chief executive officer, he guided the company through periods of growth while focusing on credibility, trust, and operational clarity.
ImportNow.com received media coverage from CNNfn, FORTUNE, USA Today, Yahoo! Internet Life Magazine. This exposure highlighted how media attention intersects with operational responsibility. It reinforced the importance of substance behind visibility and the role of disciplined leadership in digital businesses.
From 2005 through 2013, John Chen Hillsborough shifted much of his professional focus to Asia, where he opened, managed, and developed food and beverage concepts across Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. He oversaw a portfolio that included quick-service retail, bar operations, and full-service restaurant concepts, requiring daily involvement and robust operational systems.
These years offered practical insight into the importance of frontline teams and consistent execution. The experience reinforced humility and an appreciation for the systems that support reliable performance. It added operational depth to a career already shaped by multiple industries and markets.
John leads Value Growth Properties with the perspective that real estate should be treated as a long-term operating business rather than a series of transactions. His work focuses on development and consulting that balance opportunity with responsibility.
His priorities include tenant quality, capital structure, and the end-user experience. Clients and partners value his ability to communicate clearly with lenders, contractors, and investors. His approach emphasizes identifying potential challenges early and addressing them thoughtfully.
John Chen of Hillsborough also remains active as an investor in startup companies across the United States and Asia. In these roles, he advises founders on market-entry strategy, capital discipline, and organizational structure, while encouraging sustainable growth.
He has consistently given back to his local community throughout the many stages of his career. He volunteers his time and supports organizations that serve underprivileged communities and the arts, including Mercury Soul, Menlo School, the Challenged Athletes Foundation, and CuriOdyssey. These organizations have remained part of his life for several years.
He also serves on the Alumni Board at Menlo School, maintaining a strong connection to the institution. Through this involvement, he supports students and helps strengthen the community that contributed to his early education.
He applies the same discipline he brings to his professional life to his personal pursuits. In May of 2025, he placed third at the Masters Powerlifting Nationals in Reno, competing at a national level in a sport that demands patience, structure, and years of preparation. The achievement reflects a mindset built on consistency and incremental improvement.
John Chen’s career in Hillsborough reflects resilience, adaptability, and steady engagement over time. From early online finance and international marketplaces to hospitality ventures across Asia and long-standing real estate development in the Bay Area, his work demonstrates both range and responsibility. Those who know him recognize a leader who understands where organizations succeed, where they face challenges, and what it takes to remain steady as conditions evolve.