The District Show’s Post

Following a lovely break exploring our coastline and countryside, I've had time to reflect on my experiences at last month's fantastic @Proptech Connect EU 2024. The conference was very well organized and included more than 5,000 real estate investors, executives and entrepreneurs in attendance. The four main themes I took away from the event were: AI's increasing use in all areas of real estate. While the technology is available, it's not fully adopted at this point. Robust change management will be necessary to push further adoption. Currently, nearly all users are tapping AI to handle mundane tasks, with a small fraction using it to add value. The critical role of data in strategic decision-making. While many companies are offering to help companies extract data, presenting it in a usable fashion is particularly rare and in high demand. That's why our @DataFreedom capabilities are particularly relevant and impactful today. The elevation of technology. Technology used to be seen as a financial burden for companies until they saw its growth potential and importance. Once relegated to the basement, IT teams have been relocated to premium office space now that information and technology are seen as revenue generators. Evolving customer experiences and behaviours. Using data analytics often compiled with the use of AI,  companies have recognised that they will have to accommodate the future of work patterns with new working environments. They'll want to make the workplace a go-to environment, with valuable resources like childcare and catered food to entice people back in. It was a pleasure to meet new industry experts and reconnect with colleagues at this invaluable event. Did you attend Proptech Connect EU 2024? If so, what were your impressions?

Limited resources for implementations within the real estate sector In the latest project, Olli Vigren, a researcher at AGV, together with Katarina M Bäcklund and Johan Carlsson, has analyzed organizational challenges in the implementation of digital technologies within the real estate sector in an academic article with Kungliga Tekniska högskolan 📰 The study examines a Swedish property owner, Akademiska Hus making significant investments in smart technologies. Despite these investments, there are practical challenges in the implementation process, such as a focus on pilot projects without integration of technologies into operational processes, and limited resources for implementation. These challenges have consequences for property owners and their innovation and sustainability goals, as well as for technology providers like PropTech companies. Customers need new capabilities to leverage technologies, and this is where technology providers and consultants can help their clients. What do you think? 👋 https://lnkd.in/dgJYa7Jp #allgenerationventures #proptech #tech #realestate

Reflecting on 2024: PropTech's Leap Forward 🚀 As we look back on 2024, it’s clear that PropTech has reshaped commercial real estate like never before. This year, AI-driven solutions, sustainability-focused tech, and tenant-centric innovations soared to new heights, transforming how properties are managed and experienced. But the journey doesn’t stop here. In 2025, we’ll see these advancements refined: ➡️ AI will become even smarter, providing predictive insights that empower proactive management. ➡️ Sustainability tech will evolve, cutting costs while meeting stricter green standards. ➡️ Tenant experiences will be reimagined, with even more personalized, data-driven solutions. And what’s new? Think deeper integrations, more robust data ownership strategies, and emerging tech trends shaping smarter, greener spaces. 💡 2024 laid the foundation; 2025 will build the future. What trends are you most excited to see take off next year? Drop your thoughts below! #OpticWise #OpticWiseit #OwnYourData #PropTech #CRE #Innovation #LookingAhead #PropTech2025

This week, our BPF Spotlight delves into the fascinating world of #PropTech. We speak with UK PropTech Association (UKPA) Director Saminder (Sammy) Pahal to find out more about the sector and how it could transform our industry. Here's what she had to say: ❓How do you define the PropTech sector? 🗣️There're many definitions of PropTech, but, to me, PropTech describes technology products and solutions that aim to improve or transform any part of the property lifecycle. PropTech can also enable companies working within the property industry to become more efficient, informed and provide more value to stakeholders or customers. ❓The possibilities sound limitless, where are we seeing PropTech have the biggest impact? 🗣️The results of our recent Tech & Innovation survey revealed the areas the industry see PropTech having the biggest impact are improved decision making, improved building operations, and reduced carbon emissions. That said, there’s a huge amount of progress being made in other areas of the property lifecycle including digitising property transactions, tenant enquires and repairs, and tackling embodied carbon. We’re also seeing the need to de-risk existing portfolios and new investment decisions as a huge driver for PropTech adoption. ❓What should we look out for in the future? 🗣️AI is rapidly improving and is set to completely transform our lives at home and work - the impact on the property industry is no different. Although, our recent debate event highlighted that we have a lot to do to be able to realise the full potential of AI. I’d like to say that we might see solutions to tackle access to data which has been an ongoing issue and barrier to technology adoption and is key to decarbonising our properties as well. ❓How can property companies explore how technology can help them? 🗣️There are lots of industry conferences and events where you can really get to grips with the role that PropTech can play so I would encourage attending those. In our joint programme for UKPA and BPF members, we aim to educate and demonstrate how PropTech's being used and the value that’s being achieved through case studies. We’ve also set up an Innovation Leaders Forum to give those responsible for procuring PropTech a space to learn and knowledge-share. ❓As the voice of the UK's PropTech sector, what are the UKPA's key activities? 🗣️We typically host roundtables, debates, talks and networking events to connect members from across UKPA and the BPF, with an aim to break down barriers to adopting technology, ensure we’re tackling the most critical problems and building the right solutions to achieve real outcomes. Additionally, we work with Government to represent our members and ensure we have the right environment for the PropTech sector to thrive. Each year we also host the UK PropTech Awards to celebrate the progress that’s been made and recognise those across the ecosystem, including property professions who are championing change.

Visiting Munich not only to drink but also to explore technology with nexxworks and EXPO REAL (Messe München). Just had an exciting time serving as a jury member for the EXPO REAL Impact Awards 2024! I reviewed 12 submissions, but I couldn't help but feel that more focus is needed on initiatives with community or social impact—especially after also missing initiatives on that field at the Brussels Realty event. Many of the submissions were SaaS products solving problems that already have solutions or, frankly, seemed like a solution in search of a problem. One standout for me was Paebbl, which is tackling a major challenge: the use of carbon negative raw materials as we approach our sustainability limits. This is exactly the type of big-picture solution we need. Let's focus on solving the real, large-scale problems—we seem to be putting a lot of effort into the last 20%, while the largest 80% impact - our use of raw materials) still demands our attention. A huge thank you to Dirk Paelinck and the European PropTech Association for organizing the event so efficiently and for shining a light on startups making real impact. 🙌 Backed by leading industry partners and European institutions, the Impact Awards are set to become the benchmark for recognizing meaningful change in the sector. Let's tackle the big challenges together and drive meaningful innovation for a better future! 🌍 #ImpactAwards #PropTech #Innovation #Sustainability #EXPOREAL #CommunityImpact

The PropTech Connect week was an absolute blast! 💥 Countless insights, networking, and future-defining conversations. My top 4 takeaways: 🧊 Technology alone is just the tip of the iceberg. In large organisations, technology accounts for as little as 1-2% of the overall change, while implementation, change management, and adoption make up the rest. Leading your clients and being adaptable is at least as important as being an innovative solution provider. 🌱 PropTech is booming, making it even harder to break through. With nearly 10k+ PropTech solutions available globally, the market is crowded. An extra layer of expert filters is building between solution providers and buyers, which adds complexity but can also serve as a speedway to a selected group of buyers behind the "gatekeepers". 🤝 Partner up. The popularity of full-spectrum solution providers is growing. If you're in the middle ground, partnerships might be the way to accelerate your growth. 🤖 Automate data collection. Depending on the size of the organisation, technology implementation can take years. Automating the onboarding process to speed up implementation and ROI realisation is becoming one of the key strategic strengths. After this week, I’m more convinced than ever of the strength of bimify.com's position. With strong technology behind and a plug-and-play approach, our offering is gaining increasing recognition as a strategic component by many of our industry colleagues. The partnership landscape looks promising. Exciting times ahead! A huge thank you to: - Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK, Anna Crona and the team behind for bringing Swedish innovation to the UK and sharing invaluable market insights. - PropTech Sweden, Roger Tofft, Markus Magnell and the team behind for a fantastic opening dinner with our industry peers and customers. - PropTech Connect, Bienne Cembran and the crew for gathering global innovators and decision-makers under one roof. #proptech #digitalbuiltenvironment ☘

Deadline November 22, 2024 Do you have a solution? If so, the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority wants to hear from you. Aimed squarely at early-to-growth stage tech startups, the initiative will provide three startups with $100,000 each to pioneer cutting-edge solutions to manage Miami’s complex traffic landscape. The selected companies will develop and test their technology hand-in-hand with the Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works (DTPW). Startups are encouraged to leverage technologies like AI, machine learning, and real-time traffic data to create solutions that can reroute vehicles, improve pedestrian flow, and even help public transit adapt in real-time.

Hubs set up to tackle Europe’s regional innovation divide - EIT - European Institute of Innovation and Technology #CommunityHubs will serve as a central gateway to Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem supporting innovators and entrepreneurs to scale their innovations #EconomicDevelopment #InnovationHubs https://lnkd.in/erBNRhAa

The real estate industry has historically lagged in digitalization, but today, property technology (proptech) proponents are eager to showcase how digital innovations can empower both real estate owners and operators. Professor Emeritus Norm G. Miller, PhD, teamed up with research scientist, Zhengzhen Tan, at the Center for Real Estate and the Sustainable Urbanization Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to examine the global market for sustainability-focused proptech startups. Here is one key insight from his research: 💻 Proptech can address sustainability challenges by using technologies like smart lights and ventilation systems to reduce carbon emissions and monitor environmental impact. Read more key insights here: https://hubs.la/Q02tHWPK0

🚀 Insights from ULI Europe Technology and Real Estate Council in Milan 2024 🚀 As always, I had an enlightening experience at the @ULI Europe Technology and Real Estate Council in #Milan. The role of technology in driving innovation and efficiency in the real estate sector is something at DEAS Group. A big thank you to Ronen Journo, Naqash Tahir and Simon Abboud, for their stewardship. Some Key takeaways: ◘ Marcello Buoncompagni Showcased Microsoft's strategic approach to smart buildings and digital transformation, demonstrating the significant impact of technology on our built environments. However, Big Tech needs to step into the real estate sector with more solutions and a greater understanding of the industry. The industry needs players that can effectively orchestrate the ecosystem. #GenAI has the potential to bring large, small, old, and new players together… but it still requires investment and change-readiness. ◘ The proptech space is... aging. Not much has changed since I launched PropTech Denmark almost six years ago. We still see similar solutions looking for problems, an incumbent industry reluctant to change, and venture capital struggling. There is still much too fragmentation in the space and in the solutions, and i predict many efforts will go to waste. ◘ Ecosystem Perspective: Tommaso Boralevi , Director of Technology and Innovation at Lendlease, shared the secrets behind the success of the Federated Innovation @MIND (Milan Innovation District) ecosystem emphasizing trust building within ecosystems is critical for fostering collaboration and achieving large-scale innovation. ◘ Academic Perspective: Prof. Andrea Ciaramella from Politecnico di Milano discussed global trends and the unique Italian approach to the proptech revolution. ◘ Investor's Perspective: Giovanni Maria Paviera, Partner at VITALE, provided valuable insights into the opportunities and constraints from an investor's viewpoint. ◘ Leveraging IoT and AI: The presentations reinforced the importance of leveraging IoT and AI to enhance operational efficiencies, energy management, and overall building intelligence. ◘ Proactive Digital Transformation: The roadmap to new RE&F products by Microsoft highlighted the structured approach needed for successful digital transformation, from ideation to implementation. ◘ This sessions also cemented for me that we need to be bolder and more visionary in Europe, Dare i say it...? We need Public Investment on a far larger scale to drive these efforts and transformations. #SmartBuildings #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #PropTech #RealEstate #ULIEurope #DEASGroup #Technology #Sustainability