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In this episode of Keeping It Real Estate, we welcome Michael Beckerman, CEO of CREtech, to discuss the dynamic intersection of technology and real estate. Michael recounts his transformative journey from a career in public relations to spearheading innovation at the helm of the largest conference company in the real estate tech and sustainability sector. Delve into the ways technology is revolutionizing property management and investment. Michael provides insights into cutting-edge tools and trends that are enhancing operational efficiencies and reshaping the industry. This conversation is essential for anyone interested in leveraging technology to make informed real estate decisions in a rapidly evolving market. To get in touch with Michael, reach out to this email address: michael@cretech.com Keeping it Real Estate is brought to you by Granite Towers Equity Group, helping investors create passive income through multifamily real estate. To get in touch with the founders of Granite Towers, Mike Roeder and Dan Brisse, visit https://www.granitetowersequitygroup.com/contact
Mark Zurada is the COO and Co-Founder of PinPoint Analytics, an AI-powered platform transforming how public works projects are estimated and bid. PinPoint harnesses advanced algorithms and historical bid data to help contractors, municipalities, and engineering firms in the $200 Billion construction industry generate more accurate, competitive estimates with unmatched precision. At PinPoint, Mark leads daily operations, AI product development, data strategy, and go-to-market execution. He also drives sales, marketing, and customer acquisition, aligning product-market fit through deep analytics, customer interviews, and stakeholder feedback. With over a decade of experience as an entrepreneur, attorney, engineer, and consultant, Mark brings a cross-functional approach to solving complex challenges.(01:29) - AI in public construction works(02:36) - Challenges in public works bidding(6:07) - Guesswork in construction(08:17) Scaling AI solutions in local governments(13:47) - Feature | Market Stadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(14:58) - Scaling construction estimates in highly localized space(18:19) - Examples of bidding processes(24:17) - AI's Impact on Public Spending and Efficiency(28:20) - Feature: Blueprint 2025: The Future of Real Estate - Register now(29:06) - Collaboration Superpower: Historical Figures
Julie Kheyfets is the CEO of Block Renovation, an AI-first marketplace platform revolutionizing the home renovation industry by connecting homeowners with contractors and streamlining project planning. She assumed the CEO role in January 2025, following seven years as the company's COO. Before joining Block, Julie led North American growth for Tractable, an AI company specializing in accident and disaster recovery solutions, where her efforts contributed to the company's valuation surpassing $1 billion. Beyond her professional achievements, Julie is an accomplished ultramarathon runner, having secured first place in the women's category at the Habanero Hundred in 2021. (01:13) - Challenges in home renovations(02:31) - Julie's journey to Block(03:43) - Building trust with AI & data(05:49) - Contractor vetting process(08:17) - Feature | Market Stadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(9:28) - An AI architect in every investor's & homeowner's pocket(12:07) - Growth playbook(16:34) - Industry Trends & Homeowner Mistakes(20:11) - Homeowners & contractors :: Landlords & renters(21:55) - Feature: Blueprint 2025: The Future of Real Estate - Register now(23:45) - Business Model & Marketplace Trust(25:51) - Collaboration Superpower: Courtney Dauwalter (Wiki) & Brian Chesky (Wiki)
Frederik Hendriksen is the co-founder of Rensair, pioneering the world's first air quality ecosystem to cut carbon, costs, and pollutants through next-generation ventilation technology. Rensair's connected solutions optimize existing HVAC systems, reducing energy costs while delivering cleaner, healthier indoor air—without expensive infrastructure upgrades. Their tech traces back to Frederik's father, a ventilation engineer, who originally developed a standalone air purification system for hospital operating rooms, and to help Frederik's twin brother manage severe asthma. Inspired by this innovation, Frederik and his team are now hacking HVAC to tackle the climate crisis and transform building ventilation, ushering in a new era of carbon efficiency, cost savings, and clean indoor air.(01:49) - The tech behind Rensair(04:29) - Impact of HVAC on building energy consumption(06:00) - Rensair's energy efficiency solutions(13:31) - Feature | Market Stadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(17:51) - Business model & partnerships(19:20) - Challenges & opportunities in Climate Tech(24:23) - Leveraging AI for indoor air quality(29:44) - Feature: Blueprint 2025: The Future of Real Estate - Register now(31:55) - Greenland & Climate change(34:16) - Collaboration Superpower: Niels Ryberg Finsen (Wiki)
Sean Miller is the Chief Revenue Officer at Lessen, leading sales and marketing to expand its tech-enabled property maintenance, repairs, turns and capital improvement services platform, with 3 million work orders completed annually. With deep expertise in real estate technology and IoT, he currently serves as Built Environment advisory board member of SIA, and previously served as CRO at Sensor Industries, CEO and Co-founder of Griot, and President of PointCentral (an Alarm.com subsidiary). He has also held leadership roles at Belkin and Generac, driving smart property and remote monitoring solutions.(01:26) - Sean Miller's Career Journey(03:50) - The Evolution of maintenance in Real Estate(09:29) - Feature | MarketStadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(10:40) - Lessen's revenue levers & tech investments(14:56) Labor shortages & operational efficiency(16:42) - Data-Driven Decisions: Repair vs. Replace impact on insurance(21:10) - Cost-efficiencies from Water leak detection tech & asset tagging(27:16) - Feature: Blueprint: The Future of Real Estate - Register now(29:14) - AI & automation for Maintenance(33:17) - Collaboration Superpower: Thomas Jefferson, Michael Jordan & Croesus (Wiki)
Dennis Lee is the co-founder and CEO of MarketStadium, a real estate data platform transforming how investors analyze multifamily and single-family markets. His journey began as an urban planning researcher in South Korea, where he identified key locational advantages driving gentrification in Seoul. This insight led him to explore how urban planning research could be applied to real estate investment decisions.After studying at NYU's Schack Institute of Real Estate, Dennis joined Lionstone Investments, where he helped manage a $9 billion real estate portfolio using a location-first investment strategy. Recognizing the potential to bring urban planning insights and data analytics to the broader real estate industry, he co-founded MarketStadium with a team of urban planning PhDs, tech developers, and industry experts.(02:57) – Dennis Lee's background & MarketStadium's Origin(05:11) – Market Stadium's Vision for Offerings(07:07) – Multifamily sector insights(13:19) - Feature | MarketStadium - Book a demo: Optimize your Multifamily & Single-family market analysis(17:55) – Leveraging data for Real Estate investment decisions(25:10) – Climate Risk & AI in Real Estate(28:46) - Feature | Berkadia's BeEngaged - Connect with the team: Ecosystem of founders, industry professionals, and capital providers dedicated to redefining the Commercial Real Estate space.(30:20) – Advice for founders looking to partner with institutional players(31:15) - Lessons from the Korean market(31:50) - Collaboration Superpower: Leonardo Da Vinci & Sandro Botticelli (Wiki)
Lior Abramovich is the Co-Founder & CEO of Blanket, a platform transforming the single-family rental market backed by RE Angels. With over a decade of experience, he's overseen $200 million in acquisitions for more than 1,000 investors. Beyond real estate, Lior is dedicated to impact-driven initiatives—he co-founded Golden, a nonprofit renovating homes for senior citizens in need, and a foundation committed to providing clean drinking water to children worldwide. A graduate of the University of Haifa with a degree in Political Science, Lior also served eight years in the Israeli Navy, holding leadership roles as Executive Officer of the Naval Academy and Chief Engineer of a Navy warship.(03:10) - Lior's & Blanket's Origin Story(06:03) - SFR Property Management Landscape(10:20) - Blanket's Business Model & Growth(17:57) - Challenges & Opportunities in SFR Property Management(24:11) - Feature: Pacaso - Luxury vacation home ownership, elevated. Join Pacaso's growth and become an investor of the venture-backed company at Pacaso.com/invest25:59 Challenges and Insights in Property Management(26:40) - Expanding Across Markets(32:48) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate 2025(35:53) - Leveraging AI in Property Management(40:40) - Blanket's Media Strategy & Industry Impact(44:08) - Collaboration Superpower - Winston Churchill & Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici (Wiki)
Ben Borton is a Co-Founder of PodPlay Technologies, where he oversees go-to-market strategy and leads the Sales and Marketing teams. He also serves as Chief Strategy Officer and was the first external investor in PodPlay's parent company, PingPod Inc. Before joining PodPlay, Ben held several leadership roles in the finance and technology sectors, including as Head of Digital Fund Services at Figure Technologies, Partner at Mountaineer Partners, and Partner at MM Capital. Throughout his career, Ben has been a founder or partner in multiple investment management firms and an active technology angel investor.(01:00) - Ben Borton & Podplay Technologies(06:06) - PingPod, the autonomous sports venue(09:50) - Real Estate opportunities with Podplay(14:26) - Feature: Pacaso - Luxury vacation home ownership, elevated. Join Pacaso's growth and become an investor of a venture-backed company at Pacaso.com/invest(16:13) - Enhancing building & company culture with sports(18:24) - Revenue sharing model with landlords(19:40) - Podplay vs. Topgolf(25:54) - Autonomous operating model(28:28) - The rise & trends shaping third places(34:48) - Feature: Blueprint - The Future of Real Estate 2025(35:35) - Office-to-retail conversion opportunity(41:17) - Inspiration from ServiceTitan's IPO(47:16) - Collaboration Superpower: Charles Dickens (Wiki) & David Foster (ITTF)
Ed Buckley is Vice President of Facilities Operations at TDIndustries in Dallas, TX where he is passionate about supporting his clients and serving his teams. Mike Petrusky asks Ed about the role of the FM and CRE leader in 2025 and they explore how the industry must continue to adapt to the changing nature of work and the built environment. Understanding and addressing the challenges faced by frontline teams is crucial for effective management and technology can be used to improve their work experience. Ed shares his view of A.I. in facility management and how our teams can have significant impact on creating healthy hybrid work environments and the need for productivity in all spaces. Mike and Ed agree that understanding behavioral economics and change management is essential to drive behavior change and they offer practical advice to help you be a workplace innovator in your organization! Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edbuckley/ Register for the CoreNet / IFMA North Texas Tech Symposium: https://resources.corenetglobal.org/Meetings/Meeting.aspx?ID=16037 or https://dfwifma.org/meetinginfo.php?id=129&ts=1736227306 Learn more about TD Industries: https://www.tdindustries.com/facilities-management Check out the “On My Way To Work” video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4E39sM-pNaGhLoG0dkM947o Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/
We mixed things up for the December episode, with our first-ever book review. A novelette, actually, from the sci-fi genre, that we found to be very timely. Written by Jack Williamson in 1947, With Folded Hands is a prescient story about a world that's looking very familiar, and with Humanoids running everything, the parallels to the trend du jour – Agentic AI – are pretty striking. We discussed what it all means, and after you listen to us, we hope you'll give it a read. In response to the conformity that comes with this brave new world, we raised the question about where is the next Bob Dylan to push back on all this? Following that, we reviewed our recent industry events – CREtech, ISC East, and the Talkdesk Analyst Summit. Being the last episode for 2024, we closed out with some big picture takeaways from this year, along with some things we're expecting for 2025.
In this special episode, you'll get to listen in on conversations I had while attending Blueprint Conference, 2024. Here's the list of guests in this Part 2 of my Blueprint Conversations series.Kenon Chen, EVP of Strategy and Growth at Clear Capitalhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kenon-chen-72201b4/https://www.clearcapital.com/John Rogers, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at CoreLogichttps://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rogers-a4053a38/https://www.corelogic.com/Brandon Peterson, CEO of Geokeyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-peterson-6ab6b997/https://geokeyaccess.com/Amber Kahr, Co-founder of Billionshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amberkahrhttps://www.joinbillions.comNick Schanbaum, Co-founder of Durango Turnkey Serviceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-schanbaum-01ab3831/https://durangotks.com/
Connie Lee is the Founder of Reffie, a centralized leasing platform designed to help Multifamily operators streamline their leasing processes and lease units faster. Reffie helps automate the 'boring', so real estate operators can focus on closing more renters. Before launching Reffie, she served as Strategy & Operations at Mosaic.tech and also managed Finance and Business Operations at ZipRecruiter. Connie is also a Real Estate investor in Los Angeles and an angel investor in various startups.(02:40) - Connie's entrepreneurial journey to Founding Reffie(05:49) - Challenges in Multifamily Leasing(07:24) - Leveraging AI in Real Estate(15:11) - Feature | Berkadia's BeEngaged - Learn more: Ecosystem of founders, industry professionals, and capital providers dedicated to redefining the Commercial Real Estate space.(16:47) - Reffie's Business Model(28:50) - State of the Housing Market(33:52) - Feature | CREtech NY Conference & Expo - Sign Up: Tangent listeners get a 20% discount using code PARTNERTANGENT20 at checkout.(35:24) - Rental Trends & Amenities(39:07) - Collaboration Superpower: Taylor Swift
Remen Okoruwa is a former strategy consultant and product manager, and now Co-founder and CEO at Propexo. His company helps property owners, operators, and proptech companies deliver better resident experiences through the power of data. Propexo provides tools for connecting property management software with other technology in a streamlined way. Propexo is a customer-centric organization that focuses on data strategies that delight residents, improve NOI, and make Multifamily real estate a better place for everyone.(2:06) - Remen's & Propexo's origin story(4:47) - Building the Plaid for Proptech(8:32) - State of Propexo today(12:02) - Propexo's model & ROI in Multifamily(16:04) - Serving diverse use cases & customer base(17:22) - Feature | Berkadia's BeEngaged - Learn more: Ecosystem of founders, industry professionals, and capital providers dedicated to redefining the commercial real estate space.(18:59) - How Proptech VC looks at integratability(24:26) - Building a collaborative & customer-centric product road map(26:54) - RealPage v. US Justice Department(29:27) - Feature | CREtech NY Conference & Expo - Sign Up: Tangent listeners get a 20% discount using code PARTNERTANGENT20 at checkout.(33:42) - Collaboration Superpower: Cyrus the Great (Wiki)
Bryce Nyberg is the VP, Corporate Development at Berkadia and the Head of BeEngaged. Bryce focuses on advancing innovation in our industry through BeEngaged, partnerships, investments, and acquisitions. His influence in and out of Berkadia, business acumen, and effective program leadership skills lead to remarkable outcomes for the organizations he works with. Startups that have gone through BeEngaged include Esusu, Propexo, Rabbet, Market Stadium, Symmetre, Reffie and Embue.(2:00) - What is Berkadia's BeEngaged(6:58) - What startups are ideal candidates for the program(11:13) - Real Estate no longer a tech laggard?(14:56) - Feature | Berkadia's BeEngaged - Learn more: Ecosystem of founders, industry professionals, and capital providers dedicated to redefining the commercial real estate space.(16:33) - Berkadia's BeEngaged's case studies(21:12) - Feature | CREtech NY Conference & Expo - Learn more: Tangent listeners get a 20% discount using code PARTNERTANGENT20 at checkout.(22:45) - Role of collaboration & integration in the Proptech ecosystem(28:16) - Collaboration Superpower: Warren Buffett (Chairperson of Berkshire Hathaway)
Welcome to another episode of the Multifamily Collective! Today, we're exploring a topic that's rapidly reshaping the multifamily industry: AI Readiness. Inspired by a recent CreTech episode, we'll explore how AI is not just a future concept but a present reality, ready to transform operations in real time. The accelerating pace of AI development is mind-blowing. One panelist suggested a scenario where you could voice a prompt to an AI tool to analyze utility expenses and receive actionable advice. This capability isn't in the distant future—it's here now with technologies like Lori from MoveOn.AI. Imagine asset managers having the power to optimize operations instantly with voice commands. Our industry is on the brink of a revolution, yet many aren't aware of the tools already available. The challenge isn't just about developing new tech but staying updated with what's out there. Even if you had a dedicated team, the rapid advancements in AI would still be hard to keep up with. In this fast-evolving landscape, staying connected to the right networks and influencers is crucial. Those who can adapt and integrate these innovations will lead the way. If you found this discussion insightful, like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update. Stay ahead in the multifamily game with us! To stay abreast of the latest, visit https://multifamilycollective.com #Multifamily #AI #PropTech #RealEstate #AssetManagement #Innovation #TechTrends #Leadership #FutureOfWork #mikebrewer #multifamilycollective #multifamilymentoring #multifamilycoaching #multifamilypodcast #leadership #OpenAi #multifamilymedianetwork --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mike-brewer/support
This episode highlights some of the latest and most interesting innovations in the commercial real estate sector with Michael Beckerman, CEO of CREtech.The Crexi Podcast explores various aspects of the commercial real estate industry in conversation with top CRE professionals. In each episode, we feature different guests to tap into their wealth of CRE expertise and explore the latest trends and updates in the world of commercial real estate. In this episode of The Crexi Podcast, host Yannis Papadakis sits down with Michael as he shares insights on his long career in commercial real estate, his journey from starting Beckerman Public Relations to leading CREtech, and the importance of technology in real estate. They also discuss the latest advancements in PropTech, AI, construction, and climate tech, along with the trends transforming the real estate sector. Michael emphasizes the opportunities for innovation within the industry and the growing interest among young professionals. Meet Michael Beckerman: CEO of CREtechMichael's Career Journey and Lessons LearnedThe Birth and Growth of CREtechMentorship and Learning from MistakesDaily Habits and Work EthicDiving into PropTech and CREtech's MissionChallenges and Opportunities in Real Estate TechContent Creation and Industry InsightsFuture Trends and Investment OpportunitiesFuture of the Real Estate MarketLegislation vs. Private SectorEfficiency and Technology in Real EstateReal Estate as a Hospitality IndustryCurrent Commercial Real Estate MarketSmart Cities and Urban ReimaginationExciting Innovations in Real EstateOpportunities for New ProfessionalsRapid Fire QuestionsClosing Thoughts and Contact Information About Michael BeckermanMichael Beckerman is the CEO of CREtech, the largest global conference and content company devoted to technological innovation in the Built World. CREtech's mission is to help the real estate industry reimagine real estate by discovering, adopting and investing in new technologies and innovation strategies. CREtech's intelligence and event platform inspires the next generation of ideas, processes and people to champion the world's largest asset class. With a global audience of over 150,000, CREtech's network consists of the world's largest real estate owners, developers, asset managers and investors as well as the leading startups and venture firms all devoted to technology and innovation in the Built World. Michael is one of the most sought-after speakers and thought-leaders in the real estate tech sector. He has delivered countless keynote presentations at premier global conferences, is a frequent guest on industry podcasts and also hosts the CREtech Climate podcast, an educational podcast devoted to driving the real estate industry forward on a path to decarbonize the Built Environment. Michael has spent his entire 40-year career in the commercial real estate sector. Prior to CREtech, Michael built Beckerman Public Relations into one of the largest real estate marketing and public relations firms in the world representing many of the premier real estate organizations in the industry before selling his interests in the firm in 2017. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our newsletter and enjoy the next Podcast delivered straight to your inbox. For show notes, past guests, and more CRE content, please check out Crexi Insights.Ready to find your next CRE property? Visit Crexi and immediately browse 500,000+ available commercial properties for sale and lease. Follow Crexi:https://www.crexi.com/ https://www.crexi.com/instagram https://www.crexi.com/facebook https://www.crexi.com/twitter https://www.crexi.com/linkedin https://www.youtube.com/crexi
In this conversation, I talk with Ned Murphy, the General Manager at Level M, about the state of the multifamily industry and the role of smart buildings. We discuss the impact of new construction on the market, the competitive dynamics and concessions in the industry, and the challenges of hardware and software integration. Ned shares more about Level M as a next-generation platform, aimed at helping existing properties adopt smart technology. One blocker to adopting smart building technology has been around measuring the ROI of both software and hardware. Ned digs into some of the misconceptions here and highlights the importance of tailoring value propositions differently, to different stakeholders, in order to achieve adoption. Smart building technology is evolving fast, and its becoming more clear the benefits extend beyond resident experience or management convenience. Listen in to hear more about the evolution of multifamily smart buildings.More about Ned and Level MLevel M is the next-generation smart apartment and property automation platform for multifamily. With revolutionary hardware and premium user experiences, Level M uniquely delivers smart access control, property automation, and building intelligence solutions that are cost-effective, dependable, and future-proof.Ned was the Co-founder of Dwelo helping guide the company for six yers before being acquired by Level Home Inc. He leads the companies multifamily business. Connect with Ned on LinkedInFollow Level M on LinkedInCheck out Level M
In this episode of Tech Nest, we have a returning guest, David Sullivan, on the show. David was previously CEO of a company called Till, which was acquired by Best Egg. David's been working to bring flexible rent solutions to the renters market, and through the acquisition by Best Egg, is now better positioned to do so. We get into the challenges of disrupting the property management industry and the complexity of embedding point solutions, such as flex rent, in multifamily. The effects of the pandemic on the rental market and the shift towards renter-centric solutions has changed some things for all parties involved, some of those changes for the better. This discussion isn't just about flex rent options, however. We get into a handful of topics such as the importance of building trust and durability in the industry as a point solution provider, the benefits of SOC 2 compliance, and some of the trends moving the proptech industry forward when we talk about property management and tenant-centric solutions. There's a little bit for everyone in this one. Listen in to what David's got to say.More about David and Best EggBest Egg Flexible Rent gives renters control of when they pay their rent by splitting rent into 2, 3, or 4 payments during the month while ensuring rent is paid in full and on time to the property. David is the Managing Director of Best Egg Flexible Rent. Prior, David was the COO of the American Home, a rental housing REIT, and has spent time investing in Fintech startups at Route 66 Ventures. Connect with David on LinkedInFollow David on TwitterFollow Best Egg on TwitterCheck out Flexible Rent through Best Egg
Lisa Rockefeller is the Chief Revenue Officer at Cortex Sustainability Intelligence, the decarbonization platform built for commercial real estate, where she's driving the go-to market strategy. Cortex's advanced AI helps CRE teams amplify operational effectiveness, make informed decisions about capital investments, and tactically address regulation risks. Lisa has spent over 15 years in the regulated and unregulated Climate Tech space, including at EnerNOC's, a leading provider of cloud-based energy intelligence software, and at Palmetto Solar. (0:25) - Lisa's origin story(1:18) - Quantifying the real estate decarbonization problem(5:40) - Defining sustainability goals for CRE players(10:25) - Cortex's data stack(13:23) - Types of asset classes & building sizes working with Cortex(20:11) - Feature: Blueprint Vegas - The Future of Real Estate Is Here. Tangent listeners get a $300 discount at BlueprintVegas.com/Tangent(21:02) - Driving Cortex's adoption & estimating ROI(23:33) - Has Real Estate done enough to cut carbon emissions? (32:04) - Collaboration Superpower: Neil deGrasse Tyson (Wiki)
This week, we welcome the 2024 Advisory Council co-chairs for IBcon, the Smart, Connected, High-Performance, Intelligent Buildings conference: Bayron Lopez, Director, Operational Technology, Kilroy Realty, Ilene Goldfine, SVP, Chief Digital Strategy Officer, Hines and Neil Ross, Sr. Director, CRE Tech & Product Management, Corporate Real Estate, Walmart, all visionary leaders on global strategy for smart buildings and campuses. We explore smart buildings technology adoption and where they see the industry going in the next 12-18 months.
Owen Glubiak, VP of Client Strategy for Cortex Sustainability Intelligence, discusses decarbonization in commercial real estate. They discuss the challenges and pressures faced by the industry, the role of AI in optimizing building performance, and the importance of tenant comfort. They also touch on the future of Cortex and the trends in decarbonization policies in cities like Boston, New York, California, Chicago, Denver, and Austin. The conversation explores two major trends in the sustainability and decarbonization space. The first trend is building electrification coupled with grid advances, which is seen as a key strategy to achieve decarbonization goals. The second trend is the impact of transportation emissions and the need for better infrastructure and public transportation systems to reduce emissions.More about Owen and Cortex Sustainability IntelligenceCortex was founded in 2014 by our CEO Bryan Bennett, after he realized the need for commercial buildings to run more sustainably. He grew up around the CRE industry, as his family has a history of developing commercial real estate. When working as a consultant in the energy technology space, Bryan began to understand the many data points that buildings could use to create more sustainable building operations. After realizing that he could put this data to use, Bryan dedicated his career to developing Cortex. He continues to grow with our team and develop new features within the app to better support our customers.Owen has spent his career in energy, technology, and customer success, which makes him an ideal leader of the customer success team at Cortex. He is coming from Building Robotics, a SaaS and IoT business unit within Siemens Smart Infrastructure. He has had roles leading global Customer Success and Support teams. Connect with Owen on LinkedInCheck out Cortex Sustainability Intelligence
Marshall Cox is a PhD in Electrical Engineering, and the Founder and CEO at Kelvin, winner of the MIT Clean energy prize, the Popular Science Innovation Award, and the Verizon Powerful Answers award. The Kelvin team has developed a system that eliminates overheating in pre-war buildings. The system, called the Cozy, is a wireless, low-cost, and easily installed retrofit that drops on top of radiators to control indoor temperatures in buildings with radiator heat. In individual installations the system can eliminate overheating and vastly improve comfort. By retrofitting whole buildings, the Cozy redistributes steam flow to heat up colder rooms faster, saving up to 40% in heating costs and yielding a potential cumulative annual savings of $7 billion over the 120 million residential and commercial radiators in the United States.(0:22) - Why should we decarbonize buildings (2:47) - Origin of heating tech(3:55) - Carrots & sticks for building decarbonization(7:17) - Kelvin origins(9:46) - Kelvin's smart radiator covers(11:37) - Improving operations' bottom line(12:55) - Financing decarbonization solutions(15:31) - Cozy's low maintenance (17:22) - Precision in estimating building savings(19:50) - Hybrid electrification adoption(25:30) - Elevating living experience for renters(26:38) - Collaboration Superpower: Jigar Shah (Director of Loan Programs in the US DoE)
Michael Beckerman, is a leader in the commercial real estate technology and sustainability sectors. He entered these sectors in 2012 after a 25-year career in commercial real estate media relations, in which he started and built Beckerman Public Relations into one of the largest firms in the country before eventually selling the agency. Michael now serves as CEO of CREtech, the largest conference company devoted to technology and sustainability in the Built World. Michael also hosts the CREtech Climate Cast, a podcast series devoted to educating, inspiring, and leading the built environment to invest and adopt climate technologies and embrace sustainability. Tune in to in-depth conversations with the leading real estate and tech innovators from across the globe. Show Highlights Technology in the built environment that embraces the marketplace of the built environment. The overall umbrella and difference between PropTech vs Climate Tech vs Construction Tech. The industry has to adapt to be a customer-centric hospitality space in office spaces and residential. Fragmentation in the tech sector created gaps in infrastructure for companies. Every building is a snowflake in need of technology tools to decarbonize and create building efficiency. Focus on climate risk mitigation, in the real estate industry, but also for the homeowner/consumer. Do your due diligence on AI. It's the wild, wild, west. “Our struggles are our greatest teachers. I've learned to embrace the struggle. When I make a mistake, it's like, ‘Okay, why was that given to me? What am I supposed to learn from that experience?' I think the things I wish I knew when I was younger were more about mindfulness, more about being present and letting go of the stress and the anxiety of like the future, the unknowns.” -Michael Beckerman Show Resource and Information Connect with Charlie Cichetti and GBES GBES is excited our membership community is growing. Consider joining our membership community as members are given access to some of the guests on the podcasts that you can ask project questions. If you are preparing for an exam, there will be more assurance that you will pass your next exam, you will be given cliff notes if you are a member, and so much more. Go to to learn more about the 4 different levels of access to this one-of-a-kind career-advancing green building community! If you truly enjoyed the show, don't forget to leave a positive rating and review on . We have prepared more episodes for the upcoming weeks, so come by again next week! Thank you for tuning in to the ! Copyright © 2023 GBES
Groundfloor is a private real estate lending marketplace open to non-accredited investors. Groundfloor opens the door to short-term, high-yield returns backed by real estate. Their platform brings together individual investors looking for short-term lending investments and borrowers looking for short-term financing for their specific real estate projects. Borrowers get access to more flexible, faster and cheaper capital than a traditional bank or a hard-money lender. Investors get access to short-term, high-yield investments. Groundfloor earned a historic qualification by the SEC in August 2015 to sell private real estate debt investments to non-accredited investors.
RCKRBX is the first real estate SaaS platform that puts the voice of the renter at the Multifamily developer's and investor's fingertips, including across key investment, development, marketing, leasing, and management decision points. The platform delivers actionable intelligence around the preferences, priorities, attitudes, and viewpoints that drive renter decision-making combined with predictive analytics to understand how these factors will impact asset performance and value over time, to what extent and why. Michael and James are applying their lessons from Political campaigning to the Real Estate world in a unique way.(1:13) - State of Multifamily(8:43) - Return to work impact on Multifamily(11:45) - What Multifamily can learn from political campaigns(16:44) - Demand side insights: What renters are looking for(25:00) - Canvassing renter insights to power investment decisions(32:23) - What Multifamily developers are missing(40:42) - What moves the rent needle beyond typical amenities(45:07) - Collaboration Superpower: Henry Ford
Aleksandr Gampel co-founded Cuby Technologies with Aleh Kandrashou in 2021 to tackle the construction labor shortage. After 200,000 engineering hours, Cuby is setting the stage to commercialize hundreds of mobile micro-factories (MMF's) on or near construction sites to enable developers, general contractors and local partners to build better buildings faster, more affordably with less labor.
On Shadow Shorts, Michael Beckerman, the CEO at CREtech Climate, and Shadow Partners, Senior Advisor and Head of Marketing, Jeff Echols will talk about how climate crisis is the single biggest threat but the single biggest opportunity to ever confront the real estate industry. Want more access to KP? KP is also spending more time in the Shadow Partners Community. He's posting his thoughts and responding to questions. If you want more access to KP, the Shadow Partners Community is where to get it. Join here-> https://shadowpartners.co/strategic-partner-network
Mike Schneider is the CEO & Co-founder of Acre Homes. Acre combines the ease of renting with the financial upside of owning. Acre is available in Raleigh-Durham, and will be launching in Atlanta and Nashville soon. Previously, Mike served as the VP of Technology Strategy at RE/MAX, and Co-founded First, a real estate tech company that leveraged machine learning to help agents win more business.(2:12) - Acre: Breaking the Renting or Home Mortgage paradigm(7:13) - Acre's model during variable interest rate environment(8:59) - Opportunity residents & investors(10:19) - Market growth(10:54) - Taking the Tesla approach: 10x better than mortgage(12:48) - Buying a home with a partner(15:28) - Acre Homes price point(16:47) - Feature: Blueprint (17:52) - Rent-to-own, buy before you sell, Home Equity products.(21:41) - Challenges of mortgages & bias in home appraisals(25:07) - Generating returns in Single family homes(25:42) - North Carolina ecosystem: Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle(29:51) - US cities transport options(33:26) - Collaboration Superpower: Steve Jobs(38:57) - Discomfort Zone: Is Built-to-rent overrated?
"More than a marketplace" is how ReWyre desrcibes their procurement platform for proptech solutions. Rasheq Zarif is the Co-founder and COO of ReWyre, and he wants to help property professionals find the right proptech solutions that meet their business needs in a more efficient and seamless way. Rasheq is leveraging his experience as an accomplished consultant, CEO, and tech advisor to guide real estate companies in identifying and adopting the right proptech solutions. More about Rasheq and ReWyreCovering the entire proptech ecosystem, ReWyre is an online platform that makes it easy for property professionals and companies to discover, procure and optimize the right technology for every project and requirement. By providing tailored, best-fit, recommendations, ReWyre saves property players time, confusion and stress when it comes to choosing and deploying new technologies across their real estate portfolio.Rasheq Zarif is Co-Founder and COO of ReWyre. Prior to his current role, Rasheq was MD of Deloitte's Future of Mobility & Smart Logistics function. He is a Member of the Advisory Board for Parkmyfleet.com, as well as Lead Strategic Advisor to Crown PropTech Acquisitions. Connect with Rasheq on LinkedIn Check out Rewyre
This is a Tangent Special episode. Discomfort Zone: the art of stepping out of your comfort zone to pivot in business and in life, and the science of changing your mind when you are faced with new facts and acquire new experiences.(0:25) - Zach Aarons (GP & Co-founder at MetaProp)(3:03) - Nick Romito (CEO & Founder at VTS)(3:47) - Kevin Ortner (CEO at Renters Warehouse and President at Appreciate)(5:09) - Steve Eisman (The Big Short investor)(6:14) - Noah Isaacs (Co-founder at Bowery Valuations)(7:34) - Imran Noorani (CSO at Peak Power)Connect with Tangent:
On this episode we are joined by Peter Greenspan, the Global Head of Real Estate for WeWork as well as Christophe Garnier, founder and CEO of Upflex. WeWork is the worlds largest provider of flexible memberships and turnkey offices that fit all budgets and hybrid strategies. Upflex is the premier SaaS provider of hybrid workspace solutions and helps make distributed work seamless, secure, and more sustainable for companies, brokerages and space operators. Peter first joined WeWork in 2014 and has served as WeWork's Global Head of Real Estate since November 2018. Prior to joining WeWork, Peter spent nine years at NBCUniversal serving as Vice President of Corporate & Transaction Law. Christophe is a visionary technology entrepreneur & executive, corporate officer, and management board member with P&L experience driving large-scale growth by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and strategies. He was recently named one of GlobeSt.'s 2023 Influencers in CRE Tech.
Tangent Tank - Solving the Housing Crisis, a Tangent original series.
You'll hear me say it in the intro, but wow. This was a heck of a discussion. John Andrew Entwistle is the Founder and CEO of a company called Wander. In a very short amount of time, Wander has exploded on the scene for vacation rentals. They're approach: verticalize the entire business. When I say the entire business—I mean everything! The tech, the management, property selection, the marketing, and oh the brand. Wander has masterfully build an incredible community around their brand of high-end, luxury smart homes that serve as vacation rentals. There's more to the business than I can write for this intro so hit play to hear what John Andrew has to say about Wander.More about John Andrew and WanderWander is vertically integrating the vacation rental space, creating a radically better experience for travelers. Wander is the only network of smart homes built for the future of work—there are currently 15 properties (more to launch in 2023) in stunning locations across the US. Everything from unlocking the door, turning on the lights, lighting the fireplace, and opening the Tesla in the garage (which each home is equipped with) can be controlled from the Wander mobile app. The company launched with a seed round led by Redpoint Ventures in 2021, and months later raised a Series A led by QED with participation from a16z, Fifthwall, Susa Ventures, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman's Thirty Five Ventures, Packy McCormick, Sahil Bloom, and others.The co also recently launched their B2B product, Wander Teams, which allows employers to offer Wander credits/stays as a benefit. With Wander, working remotely becomes much easier: the workstations are comfortable, with adjustable desks and extra monitors; the WiFi is strong and reliable; and the kitchen and gyms are equipped so guests don't have to sacrifice their daily routines. Wander Teams is still in beta but will become a core part of the business as they ramp up.Wander recently secured a $100M credit line from Credit Suisse in November to turbocharge growth.John Andrew Entwistle is Founder and CEO of Wander. Previously John Andrew was Co-founder of Coder (exited) and a Thiel Fellow. Follow John Andrew on Twitter Follow Wander on Twitter Connect with John Andrew on LinkedIn Check out Wander
More about Cameron and ProphiaProphia is a rising proptech smart tool for commercial real estate & lease abstraction used across 1,800 buildings, with 100% customer retention, and has exceeded one million pages scanned with its AI-powered technology. With Prophia's AI abstraction tool, commercial real estate owners, investors, and operators can eliminate manually intensive lease abstractions and data accessibility processes. This allows users to enhance their investment strategy in real time with complete, verifiable, and structured commercial portfolio data. Follow Prophia on Twitter Follow Cameron on Twitter Connect with Cameron on LinkedIn Check out Prophia
CREtech CEO Michael Beckerman on why he thinks the desperate need for a greener, more sustainable built environment will be a “gold rush” for Proptech.
This episode explores the game-changing ability of data-powered technology to optimize CRE decision-making with Anne Hollander, CEO of Lobby CRE.The Crexi Podcast explores various aspects of the commercial real estate industry in conversation with some of the top CRE professionals in the space. In each episode, we feature different guests to tap into their wealth of CRE expertise and explore the latest trends and updates from the world of commercial real estate. In this episode, Crexi's Jessica LaRusso sits down with Anne to explore new technology's capacity, via tools that consolidate data and provide up-to-date resources, to synchronize and accelerate CRE stakeholders operations and investment decisions. Their wide-ranging conversation includes:Introductions and Anne's impressive, multifaceted career pathTechnology islands and why CRE tools need better standardizationData as an enterprise asset for competitive advantageCRE data's capacity to level the playing field and expand opportunitiesSetting & meeting DEI goals and optimizing for business success through diversity2023 market predictions, shifting interest rates, and opportunities in uncertaintyAnd much more!If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our newsletter to receive the very next one delivered straight to your inbox. For show notes, past guests, and more CRE content, please check out Crexi Insights.Ready to find your next CRE property? Visit Crexi and immediately browse hundreds of thousands of available commercial properties.Follow Crexi:https://www.crexi.com/ https://www.crexi.com/instagram https://www.crexi.com/facebook https://www.crexi.com/twitter https://www.crexi.com/linkedin https://www.youtube.com/crexi About Anne Hollander:Anne Hollander, CEO of Lobby CRE, a Thirty Capital company, is making an impression in CRE and tech as one of few CEOs with a background in both real estate operations and rapidly scaling technology companies. Hollander is an expert in strategic planning, partnership development, go-to-market execution, and venture investment across portfolios focused on real estate, technology, and financial services. Hollander formerly held executive leadership roles in product development at Trimble and Real Page. Hollander offers uniquely informed perspectives on real estate management, investment, and the potential of tech in CRE, integrating these insights to serve and educate property owners, managers, and investors.
Michael Beckerman at CREtech and CREtech Climate joined us on the podcast to discuss his upcoming conference in New York featuring some of the biggest names in commercial real estate. The founding of the CREtech Climate Program to solve the 40% problem and dives into how new technology is impacting the real estate sector.About CREtechCREtech is Reimagining Real Estate. They are the largest international community of professionals devoted to technological innovation in the real estate sector.LinksLearn more about CREtech, click hereMichael Beckerman's LinkedIn, click here CREtech New York 2022 Promo Code: REAL20NY
Propcast Season 10 is here! We are focusing on ESG within the built environment, and we are thrilled to be joined by some of the leading companies in the industry to speak about what their business ESG strategy is - and what they're doing to reduce their carbon footprint. Our guests share not only professional but personal experiences and the valuable lessons they have learnt for our listeners to find out more about the evolution of the built environment. Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode & drop a 5 Star rating on Apple or Spotify. We're thankful for everyone who has been on this journey with us this far, and everyone who will join that number this season. Your support is the reason this show exists. Sponsors Launch Your Own Podcast A Podcast Company is the leading podcast production and strategic content company for brands, organisations, institutions, individuals, and entrepreneurs. Our team sets you up with the right strategy, equipment, training, guidance and content to ensure you sound amazing while speaking to your niche audience and networking with your perfect clients. Get in touch hello@apodcastcompany.com
More about Marcela and AlfredMarcela Sapone is the co-founder and CEO of Alfred, the most advanced residential technology and management platform in the U.S., specializing in a single-stop solution to maximize asset value. Alfred's footprint expands to over 300,000 residents in single-family and multi-family rentals, in 52 markets in the U.S. and Canada. Sapone has been named to Crain's 40 under 40, Top 30 under 30 by Forbes and among Fast Company's Most Creative People in Business, and winner of Connect CRE's Women in Real Estate Award in 2021. Her experiences living abroad and studying Urban Development in Buenos Aires, Shanghai, Beijing, and Bangalore as a young adult greatly influenced her work. Named one of Goldman Sachs's “most intriguing entrepreneurs,” Sapone earned her B.A. & B.S. from Boston University as a full tuition Trustee Scholar and holds an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School, where she created the Alfred business model from her Boston apartment. Prior to founding Alfred, Sapone began her career at McKinsey & Company, worked at a mid market Private Equity firm, American Securities, and at Bridgewater.Alfred is the largest and most advanced residential management platform. Since its inception, Alfred has focused on providing a resident-first experience. With an unparalleled knowledge of what residents want and technology that boosts income and efficiency for owners and operators, Alfred provides a single stop that elevates the rental ecosystem for all involved. Named by Fast Company as one of the Top 50 Most Innovative Companies, Alfred's AOS technology drives lower operating costs and higher returns for property owners and operators. Alfred's portfolio now extends to more than 300,000 residents in 52 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Follow Marcela on Twitter Follow Alfred on Twitter Connect with Marcela on LinkedIn Check out Alfred
The Commercial Real Estate Academy podcast was created to demystify the commercial real estate industry for the masses. During our weekly episodes, we interview industry experts on a host of different commercial real estate-related topics. Through these interviews, we hope to arm you with the knowledge, references, and tools you'll need to confidently pursue commercial real estate opportunities as a business owner and/or an investor. Raphael Collazo and Jeff Walston are excited to introduce their guest for this week! In today's episode, we hosted Michael Beckerman, CEO, CREtech and CREtech Climate, for a lively conversation about how technology improves environmental impact of the built environment. ▶️ During our conversation, we explored topics such as: • What got him interested in the commercial real estate industry, • What made him decide to start CREClimate? • What are some of the areas of the built environment where change can have the biggest impact, • What new technologies are he excited about that will help limit the environmental impact of the built environment, • How do he see the technological landscape changing over the next 5-10 years, • What are some of his future goals (5-10 years) for CREClimate. • As well as much more... ▶️ If you're interested in learning more about Michael, feel free to reach out to him via the following links: ▶ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beckerman/ ▶ Website: https://www.cretech.com/ ▶ Email: michael@cretech.com Below I've provided links to books that were referenced during the episode: 1) Man's Search for Meaning - https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/080701429X 2) The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself - https://www.amazon.com/Untethered-Soul-Journey-Beyond-Yourself/dp/1572245379#:~:text=In%20The%20Untethered%20Soul%2C%20Michael,to%20another%20on%20the%20journey.%E2%80%9D&text=%E2%80%9CThe%20Untethered%20Soul%20is%20a,the%20path%20of%20spiritual%20consciousness. 3) From Green to ESG: How Data-Driven Transparency Changed Real Estate for Good - https://www.amazon.com/Green-ESG-Data-Driven-Transparency-Changed/dp/B09TZ9BSCN If you find value in these episodes, please SUBSCRIBE and don't forget to leave us a 5
Welcome to the 49th episode of the CleanTechies Podcast. Today we are joined by Michael Beckerman the founder and CEO of CRETECH and CRETECH Climate. Michael, while relatively new to ClimateTech, has been quick to jump in and become a clear leader inside of Clean Real Estate Tech Space. In today's show, we go through a lot. From the general landscape of the real estate industry at present. What it can be. The tech out there to solve the problems. The talent shortage. Education. The role of government. And Local Law 97.I thoroughly enjoyed today's conversation with Michael and I hope you do too! Main Talking Points: Intro to MichaelHis evolution into ClimateTech Real EstateHow he made the leap from media to technologyCarbon Emissions Impact of Real EstateMichael has faith in TechnologyConcreteGeothermal EnergyRenewable EnergyHeat PumpsSustainable Steel/Materials3D Printed BuildingsEmissions TrackingThe integration challengeWe need activistsThe Talent Issue The inequity of the Education SystemNYC RE TechLocal Law 97 / RegulationLeading CitiesRole of Government Do your partWrap upWe hope you enjoy today's episode - please reach out with any specific questions or discussion points. If you're interested in being a show sponsor you can reach me at silasmahner@gmail.comCRETECH Website: https://www.cretech.com/Connect with Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beckerman/Check out our Sponsor, NextWave Partners: https://www.next-wavepartners.com/Join the Slack Channel: https://cleantechies.slack.com/join/shared_invite/zt-pd2drz6d-N~9nURU5JlyMXv2ZiO5bAQ#/shared-invite/emailSubscribe to the Newsletter: https://www.silasmahner.com/ctnewslettersignupHMU on Twitter: @silasmahnerSupport the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/silasmahner__________We are proud to continue working with NextWave as our official show sponsor for this podcast. NextWave and all of its staff are highly motivated to advance the ClimateTech revolution and are constantly innovating ways that they can help affect that transition. From experts in the talent space to ESG experts, NextWave is taking on Climate and Social responsibility head-on and helping companies build great cultures that not only make the world a better place but also increase workplace satisfaction. Reach out to NextWave Partners today to learn more about how we might partner with you today. https://www.next-wavepartners.com/ / info@next-wavepartners.comSupport the show
More about Doorsey and JordanDoorsey is on a mission to innovate the home-buying offer process, offering buyers, sellers, and their agents an offer platform that drives efficiency, transparency as well as confidence. Through Doorsey, buyers, sellers, and agents are able to view all aspects of the offer process in real-time, under pre-accepted terms — enabling all prospective buyers to know exactly where they stand and what it will take to win. Sellers set a minimum price to protect their bottom line, and buyers are able to make offers with confidence, thanks to next-level listings inclusive of virtual tours, neutral third-party inspection reports, disclosures, & more than 100 up-to-date, accurate photos. Each listing also has a community forum, where agents, building professionals, and sellers can come together with prospective buyers to share expertise & answer questions on properties, repairs, upgrades, and the neighborhoods.Jordan Allen is the CEO and Co-Founder of Doorsey, the online platform set to improve the home buying offer process. Prior to Doorsey, Allen was the CEO & Founder of the short-term rental company, Stay Alfred. A real estate and army veteran, Allen knows how to foster, lead, and grow PropTech's companies at scale. Follow Doorsey on Twitter Follow Doorsey on LinkedIn Connect with Jordan on LinkedIn Check out Doorsey See what it's like to watch a Doorsey transaction in action.
Summary: On this episode of Propcast, Louisa speaks with Jeanne Casey and Jacinda Lofland from Nuveen Real Estate. They talk about what led them to the innovation, sustainability and technology space at one of the largest real estate investment managers globally. Jeanne and Jacinda explain what works in creating a diverse and inclusive powerful team, and how to avoid the issue of tokenism. They elaborate on needing strategy and investment decisions and how ESG, technology and community play a part in all of it. Lastly, they'll give us some home truths about what they think needs to change in terms of adoption and integration. The key takeaway from this episode is that the crux of the diversity issue is around retaining, promoting and genuinely empowering diverse talent that's already within the organisation. Resources: LMRE Global Recruitment and Search Consultancy LMRE YouTube Interviews Companies Mentioned: Nuveen Morgan Stanley Cisco Remote Year PwC Selina Fitwell Cushman & Wakefield Industrious Office Shout Outs: Zander Geronimos, Head Of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development at MetaProp.vc Abigail Dean, Head of Strategic Insights Nuveen Real Estate Key Insights From This Episode: In 2021 we saw a 30% increase in ESG consultants and a 26% increase in ESG analysts. We also saw a 20% increase in innovation. - Louisa The crux of the diversity issue is around retaining, promoting and genuinely empowering diverse talent that's already within the organisation. - Jeanne It's so important that sustainability is not a side job. - Jacinda There's wide recognition that technology is going to play an outsized role in achieving fairly ambitious net-zero carbon and other sustainability goals. - Jeanne About Our Guests: Jeanne Casey is the Global Head of PropTech and Innovation at Nuveen, and leads investments and insights in PropTech for the firm. Previously, Jeanne was a Principal at MetaProp, a leading PropTech venture capital firm based in New York. Prior to joining MetaProp, Jeanne was a founding team member and Vice President at Digital Alpha where she worked on the launch, fundraising, and deployment of a $300 million growth equity fund focused on digital infrastructure. She has previous experience with Cisco and Morgan Stanley, and holds a MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA with honours from Johns Hopkins University. As Director of Customers & Community, Jacinda Lofland works with Nuveen Real Estate's operating partners to improve customer experience and productivity, engage with customers around ESG initiatives, promote and collaborate with community organisations and local businesses, and to measure, analyse, and act on customer feedback. Jacinda helped develop and roll out Nuveen Real Estate's smart, sustainable building blueprint for various sectors. Prior to Nuveen Real Estate, Jacinda was a Director on the Real Estate team at Selina and prior to that, she led the Finance team at Remote Year. Jacinda has previous experience in real estate equity and debt investments with TIAA, auditing with PwC, and she holds a B.A. in Business Economics from UCLA. Nuveen Real Estate is one of the largest real estate investment managers in the world with $142 billion of assets under management. Managing a suite of real estate funds and mandates, across both public and private investments, and spanning both debt and equity across diverse geographies and investment styles, we provide access to every aspect of real estate investing. With over 85 years of real estate investing experience and more than 600+ employees located across over 30 cities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific, the platform offers unparalleled geographic reach, which is married with deep sector expertise. About Our Host Louisa Dickins https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-dickins-ab065392/ Louisa started her career in property working at a well-known estate agency in London. Realising her people skills, she moved over to Lloyd May to pursue a career in recruitment. She now is a Director at LMRE, who are a specialist recruitment firm driven by PropTech and recruitment professionals, and Louisa oversees their 5 core areas. Louisa co-founded LMRE and provides a constructive recruitment platform to the new disruptors in real estate. Louisa is also on the board of Directors at UK PropTech Association (UKPA). About LMRE www.lmre.tech LMRE believe there is a better way to recruit. LMRE focus on a more comprehensive, client led focus delivering exceptional talent to the place at the time. They are passionate about the industry and passionate about people's careers. LMRE spend time with each client to become and an extension of the business, and their transparency and core values help them grow with the sector. LMRE simplify recruitment and innovate with our clients and evolve the people driven, PropTech community. Timestamps: [01:45] Jeanne, how did you get started in this space and your role? I have been in venture capital for over 10 years. Half of that time I have focussed on PropTech and most recently at MetaProp. I started my investing career in FinTech at Morgan Stanley in the early 2010s and then I worked at a fund that spun out of Cisco. We were investing in digital infrastructure, including smart cities and IOT and that's what led me to PropTech. [02:55] Jacinda, can you tell us about your journey? I started out at PwC and I worked mostly on commercial real estate clients. My first time with Tiaa was back in 2013 and I did commercial mortgage originations as well as equity investments on the West Coast. I moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina and was the first finance hire for Remote Year. I worked for Selina for about 10 months after that. After that, I came back to Nuveen where my focus is customers, community and the experience of our end users as well as engaging around ESG. [06:30] Jeanne, what do you think can be done to attract more diversity to this space? The crux of the issue is around retaining, promoting and genuinely empowering diverse talent that's already within the organisation. [07:20] What is Nuveen doing in terms of their hiring? Jeanne and I sit on the Insights Team which is led by Abigail Dean and that team includes our research team, sustainability, PropTech, Customers & Communication and Innovation. [09:40] There is a lot of women leadership at Nuveen, what do you think can be done to increase this? I think it's beyond just attracting and recruiting diverse talent. It is about retaining, promoting and empowering the talent that already sits within an organisation. Our DEI initiatives are more genuine and actually reflect what our teams look like. [11:45] Jacinda, you are from more of a real estate side, what have you seen in terms of diversity and inclusion? We're making meaningful progress. There have been a lot of reports around the benefits of diversity. Implicit bias training has been a really important step for us. It's important to hire outside of the same sets of colleges that might have strong, finance or real estate programs. [19:50] Is there anything more you want to delve into about what you've seen in the more VC (corporate side), or within the startups? I've seen a lot of genuine improvement over the decade. I've always been at the intersection of finance and technology and both of those are historically very male dominated, very white dominated and a little bit older. I think that's largely, or at least in the process of changing quite a bit. Boardrooms and investment teams look quite a bit different than when I started just 10 years ago. [19:10] Talk us through the focus for 2022. Our tomorrow's world strategy, there are three key things that we focus on; sustainability, technology and demographics. We have what we call a smart, sustainable building blueprint (SSBB) and there are a number of categories that we think really tied to those three overarching themes; energy, water, waste, resilience, health, and wealth, tenants & community, leasing and data & digitalisation. We want to build on our partnership with Fitwell. We'll be launching a VC strategy in the coming months. The two, overarching themes are; a data strategy and tools and new technologies that help unlock our own proprietary data across our massive portfolio. the intersection of sustainability and ESG with PropTech [27:40] What do you think the industry could do better as a whole to move things forward in terms of adoption/integration? Incentives alignment is an area that is still fairly nebulous. Cascading goals around our own compensation targets that are specifically tied to sustainability and innovation goals. Rethinking how our buildings work, but also rethinking how we work. [31:40] The ‘LMRE' part, Louisa asks the guests to talk about: Lessons learned in your career Jeanne: Throw out for a 5- or 10-year plan. Mention a person, product or service Jacinda: Our asset management teams and then the properties that sign up and do pilots. Cushman & Wakefield and Industrious Office Rewarding parts of working in the space: Jeanne: I love real estate and PropTech because I love seeing the tangible impacts on the ways that people work, live and spend all of our time. What are you most Excited about for the future of the space?: Jacinda: Data Standardisation and Climate Tech. Sponsors Launch Your Own Podcast Kopus.com is the leading podcast production and strategic content company for brands, organisations, institutions, individuals, and entrepreneurs. Our team sets you up with the right strategy, equipment, training, and guidance and content to ensure you sound amazing while speaking to your niche audience and networking with your perfect clients. Get in touch jason@kopus.com
More About Northspyre and William SankeyNorthspyre is the only intelligence software on the market purpose-built by a real estate developer for real estate developers managing ground-up developments, fitouts and major renovations across asset classes (multifamily, office, retail, hospitality, mixed use, etc.).Northspyre leverages automation, data analytics and artificial intelligence to address age-old challenges faced by real estate project delivery teams like difficult and unpredictable project outcomes due to reactive, gut-driven decision-making and bottlenecks from administrative burden. Instead, Northspyre empowers project leads with proactive insights, dynamic forecasts, and early warnings so that they can focus on making data-driven, strategic decisions.William Sankey, Jr. is the Co-founder/CEO of Northspyre, a real estate technology startup bringing automation, data analytics and proactive intelligence to CRE project delivery. Formally educated at Yale University (architecture) and Harvard University (urban planning and real estate development), William has always had an interest in the way we build our cities, whether it was through design or transformational technologies. Check out Northspyre Read more about Northspyre as featured on FinLedger
Summary: On the fourth episode of Season 8 of the Propcast, Louisa speaks with Liza Benson, covering her journey to becoming a partner at one of the most prominent female-led Venture Capital funds in the Real Estate Tech space, Moderne Ventures. In this episode you'll hear how Liza balances the time being a board member of several companies whilst also raising $200 million in 2021. You'll also hear about the plan for deployment and what Liza and the team look for when evaluating a PropTech business or a tech company. Lastly, you'll hear about Liza's personal experience with being a woman in the Proptech space, as well as a woman in Venture Capital and the effect of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within some of their portfolio companies. Companies Mentioned: Moderne Ventures DocuSign StarVest Avalon Bay Communities Greystar Oak Tree Capital Management Icon Hippo Better Mortage Widevine Webify Blackstone Xeal Resources: LMRE Global Recruitment and Search Consultancy LMRE YouTube Interviews Shout Outs: Constance Freedman Founder and Managing Partner at Moderne Ventures Key Insights From This Episode: April 2000 was an interesting time to join venture capital at a very instructive time in many ways, because we've seen over the last 5+ years everything is up and to the right. - Liza We actually don't use the term PropTech. We use the term Real Estate Tech. - Liza We think about Real Estate Tech in a very broad way. We actually like companies that have multi verticals because the more verticals, the bigger the market, and also not subject to the cyclicality of real estate. - Liza There are so many different verticals in PropTech, that it touches anything in the built environment, whether it's mobility, ESG or the content. There is a new vertical coming out every month. - Louisa You could have the greatest market, the greatest business model but without the right leaders to execute on it, it won't work. - Liza What we're not seeing as much of, unfortunately, is women partners. It is still a very, very low number. I always tell people to make it your advantage. Everyone will remember you when there's eight guys and you on a Zoom call. - Liza We're in a unique time right now where it's become easier to balance that work-life balance. I think that is going to be a huge benefit for women going forward. - Liza Keywords: Venture Capital, Real Estate Tech, Women, Investing About Our Guests: Liza Benson is a Partner with Moderne Ventures and helps lead and manage investment activity with particular focus on high-growth technology companies that can achieve rapid adoption and scale. Prior to Moderne, Liza was a Partner with StarVest Partners, focused on expansion stage B2B SaaS investments. Previously, Liza was a Managing Director of Highbridge Principals Strategies and invested primarily in online video, digital media, and marketing technologies and prior to that she was a Managing Director with Bear Stearns' Constellation Growth Capital and an investment banker at Patricof & Co and First Union where she started her career. About Our Host Louisa Dickins https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-dickins-ab065392/?originalSubdomain=uk Louisa started her career in property working at a well-known estate agency in London. Realising her people skills, she moved over to Lloyd May to pursue a career in recruitment. She now is a Director at LMRE, who are a specialist recruitment firm driven by PropTech and recruitment professionals, and Louisa oversees their 5 core areas. Louisa co-founded LMRE and provides a constructive recruitment platform to the new disruptors in real estate. Louisa is also on the board of Directors at UK PropTech Association (UKPA). About LMRE www.lmre.tech LMRE believe there is a better way to recruit. LMRE focus on a more comprehensive, client led focus delivering exceptional talent to the place at the time. They are passionate about the industry and passionate about people's careers. LMRE spend time with each client to become and an extension of the business, and their transparency and core values help them grow with the sector. LMRE simplify recruitment and innovate with our clients and evolve the people driven, PropTech community. Timestamps: [02:00] You started off in investment banking, at First Union and then a part of StarVest partners. How did you come to Moderne Venture and meeting your partner, Constance? I have been in venture in growth equity for 20 years. I started in investment banking to learn the technical aspects of modelling and I joined my first fund in April 2000. I joined StarVest, a B2B SaaS investor, and that is where I met Constance. I have been at Moderne Ventures for 4 years. We have had a great run, we finished investing the first fund which was $43 million. Then, last summer we raised our second fund, where our original goal was a $125 million and our cap was $150 million and we're able to blow through that cap, get our LPs to agree to go to $200 million. [05:50] What makes Moderne unique, besides the 2 female leaders, and what does that mean to you? Is there a set mission behind the fund? The fund was originally conceived by Constance as a strategic fund out of the National Association of Realtors. The basic premise was; “How can I stack the deck? How can I help my companies in the most in the most profound way?” We're an early-stage investor in real estate home services, FinTech and InsureTech having to do with real estate. DocuSign is very interesting because it's really not a PropTech company in any way. It has a lot of applicability in our industries, but has many other verticals as well. DocuSign became in the model for how we work with companies. We love companies that have these multi vertical applications. [8:05] Some of your strategic investors include; Avalon Bay Communities, Greystar and leading real estate companies such as Oak Tree Capital Management. Constance generated a lot of these herself but how do you continue to support them? They are investing in us to improve the operations and ultimately the NOI of their businesses. Therefore, we need to make sure that we're bringing the best tech to these companies so that they can fundamentally innovate right. We have systematized corporate programs that we work with our LPs on. We also have another program that we call Passport that is our business development group. It is systematised approach, over a seven-month program, where all of our companies are led through a mentorship with our LPs and larger advisory group of 700 real estate execs. [10:10] You have got about 700 real estate execs of which some notable names are Icon Port, Hippo and Betta Mortage covering real estate, mortgage, finance and insurance. Is there anything Moderne Venture looks for when evaluating a company? Late seed to early B stage companies. Founders are the number one thing. You could have the greatest market, the greatest business model but without the right leaders to execute on it, it won't work. Total Addressable Market (TAM), we look at it in a very systematic way. We love companies that have a foothold in real estate or want to have a foothold in real estate but also have multi vertical applications. We also look at the business model, what is the cost to acquire a customer? What is the long-term value of that customer? What are the fundamental economics of the business at scale? [13:10] You are on various boards as well like Widevine and Webify. What is it like balancing all of this and being on the board of various companies? I am on 8 or 9 boards as a board member or board observer. I keep in touch with all of my CEOs on a bi-weekly or monthly basis for one-on-one phone calls. From the perspective of the executives who are running the companies, they think of Moderne Venture as a strategic investor. We're not necessarily going to help them with their budget, but we will help them get customers. [16:15] Is there any advice that you can give to woman looking to get into the investment space, whether they're coming from the banking side, the consultancy side, the venture capital side? There are 2 ways to come into venture capital; you work for a particular startup or multiple startups that are successful, or there is the investment banking and consulting route. Core skills of modelling, deck building and strategic thinking are beneficial. What we're not seeing as much of unfortunately is women partners, it is still a very, very low number. I always tell people to make it your advantage. Everyone will remember you when there's eight guys and you on a Zoom call. [17:55] Are there any positive experiences personally for you or any successful changes your various portfolio companies have implemented to ensure DEI? Giving people the flexibility, they need to balance work and life. [19:55] The ‘LMRE' part, Louisa asks the guests to talk about: Lessons learned in your career Never have religious beliefs in either a company or an idea. I think you always have to be open to the information that comes in open to criticism, open to other thoughts. Mention a person, product or service Xeal. Electric Vehicle charger that does not need WiFi or cell service. Rewarding parts of working in the space: It changes every day. There is no schedule that has to get done necessarily. What are you most Excited about for the future of the space?: Being at a venture fund that is focussed on the real estate industry. Sponsors CREtech Check out CREtech+, the first streaming platform devoted to innovation and technology in the built world, featuring new weekly videos with the world's leading real estate and tech professionals. The first month of streaming is free, and when you use the code LMRE you'll also receive 25% off the second month. Visit plus.cretech.com for more. Launch Your Own Podcast Kopus.com is the leading podcast production and strategic content company for brands, organisations, institutions, individuals, and entrepreneurs. Our team sets you up with the right strategy, equipment, training, and guidance and content to ensure you sound amazing while speaking to your niche audience and networking with your perfect clients. Get in touch jason@kopus.com
About Nick and ZegoNick Latz, Chief Revenue Officer, leads Zego (Powered by PayLease) Go-to-Market organization and is focused on market strategy, marketing engagement, and sales execution. Prior to Zego, Nick worked as a Director of Value Creation at Vista Consulting Group, the consulting and operating arm of Vista Equity Partners.Zego is a property technology company that frees management companies and community associations to go above and beyond for residents through resident experience management solutions (think rent and utility payments, resident communication, maintenance requests, and more). Follow Zego on Twitter Follow Nick on Twitter Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Check out Zego
Summary: In the third episode of season 8 of The Propcast, Louisa is chatting to Mallorie Brodie CEO & Co-Founder and Lauren Lake COO & Co-Founder of Canadian-based construction technology company, Bridgit about Women in ConTech. They talk about the growth of the ConTech market, how Bridgit have secured investment from some of the leading VC's and won over some major contractors. You'll hear about how a huge part of their software focuses on people and how they have scaled their team during the war on talent which is a problem that many founders are facing. Companies Mentioned: Bridgit Local Logic Agora Autodesk BDCs Capital Women Camber Creek Storm Ventures McKinsey Skanska Ryan Companies Toric Resources: LMRE Global Recruitment and Search Consultancy LMRE YouTube Interviews Shout Outs: Amy Abascal, VP of Marketing for Bridgit Courtney Cooper, Principal at Alate Partner Julian Brockhurst, Venture Capital at VentureCrowd | Director at Proptech BNE Michael Beckerman, CEO, CREtech and CREtech Climate Ben Lerner, MRI Qube Global Software Jason Fitzpatrick, Senior Vice President Of Sales at Bridgit Thiago Da Costa, Co-Founder & CEO at Toric Key Insights From This Episode: The war on talent and is a problem most founders are facing, and I'm sure that many entrepreneurs are experiencing the same pain. - Louisa We found the problem before creating the solution, which we found was different to how a lot of tech companies start. - Lauren You don't solve the pain point and then stop developing the software and just continue marketing into the industry. We are making improvements and learning from our customers every single week. There is no end to continuing to innovate at Bridgit. - Mallorie ConTech market investment has doubled in the last decade and it's accelerated, far beyond the pace of growth of just the venture capital. - Mallorie The other thing we've seen is just a ton of consolidation in the markets. Not all of that capital is going into seeding new companies. Some of the larger companies out there are seeing all of the innovation within the small and midsize companies and there has been a ton of acquisitions. - Mallorie At the beginning, we certainly found it challenging to raise capital early on in the business... Over time what we were able to do is start to prove our efforts more in the actual metrics and numbers of the business. And that makes the conversation much easier. - Lauren You have two female founders... I think looking into DEI is extremely important for the growth of a tech business. - Lousia We were females in construction technology really didn't make a selection of two male dominated industries. - Mallorie Companies felt heard. They get to actually give their input into how the product is being developed. And so, through that process, we're also figuring out, which of these companies would actually want to use the product once it's developed. - Lauren People make the assumption that if they don't have a technical background, they can't work in tech. - Lauren Keywords: Construction, Technology, Women, ConTech About Our Guests: Mallorie Brodie https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorie-brodie-b3885827/ Mallorie Brodie, CEO and Co-Founder of Canadian-based construction technology company Bridgit. She has almost 10 years of entrepreneurial experience and holds various entrepreneurial awards, including receiving the top prize at Google Demo Day, being named Techvibes Entrepreneur of the Year, being named to the Forbes Manufacturing & Industry 30 Under 30, being named to the Best Of Canada Forbes Under 30 Innovators list, and being named to the Top 40 Under 40 in Canadian Construction list. Since opening Bridgit, herself and Lauren have established Bridgit Bench, our flagship product, as the leading workforce intelligence solution in construction today. Bridgit Bench is now used by over 100 leading general contractors across North America like Rogers-O'Brien, DeAngelis Diamond, Ryan Companies, Alberici, and more. Lauren Lake https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-lake/ Lauren Lake is the COO and co-founder of Canadian-based construction technology company Bridgit. With a degree in Civil Structural Engineering from Western University, With her guidance and expertise in the AEC industry, Lauren has helped establish Bridgit Bench, the company's flagship product, as the leading workforce intelligence solution in construction today. Lauren has been named in the TechWeek 100, Forbes Manufacturing & Industry 30 Under 30, and Best Of Canada Forbes Under 30 Innovators lists. Her true source of pride comes from helping over 100 contractors across North America get the most out of their workforce. About Our Host Louisa Dickins https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-dickins-ab065392/?originalSubdomain=uk Louisa started her career in property working at a well-known estate agency in London. Realising her people skills, she moved over to Lloyd May to pursue a career in recruitment. She now is a Director at LMRE, who are a specialist recruitment firm driven by PropTech and recruitment professionals, and Louisa oversees their 5 core areas. Louisa co-founded LMRE and provides a constructive recruitment platform to the new disruptors in real estate. Louisa is also on the board of Directors at UK PropTech Association (UKPA). About LMRE www.lmre.tech LMRE believe there is a better way to recruit. LMRE focus on a more comprehensive, client led focus delivering exceptional talent to the place at the time. They are passionate about the industry and passionate about people's careers. LMRE spend time with each client to become and an extension of the business, and their transparency and core values help them grow with the sector. LMRE simplify recruitment and innovate with our clients and evolve the people driven, PropTech community. Timestamps: [02:30] Talk us through founding Bridgit and the product. You founded it back it in 2014 in the Tech Hub, Waterloo, Canada. We met through an entrepreneurship program. Lauren was studying civil engineering and Mallorie had been studying business. We also both had family in the industry. Lauren had some of that first-hand experience from her time on site, how little technology there was, everything was pen and paper back then. We found was people really liked having the opportunity to open up and share their challenges. We found the problem before creating the solution which we found was different to how a lot of tech companies start Through our research and talking with the largest general contractors in the U.S, we learned about the strategic challenges they were having around the labour shortage in general, and just managing their people and really trying to put the best project teams forward. And we set out to create our second product, Bridgit Bench. [08:00] Last year you raised $23 million and you are backed by some big names like Autodesk, BDCs Capital Women and Technology Venture Fund, what are the plans? Is it further growth across the states? We brought on Camber Creek and Storm Ventures to co-lead the round. Camber brings the deep contraction and property tech expertise and Storm has the B2B enterprise SaaS experience so them joining the board and coming on as investors has been very helpful in the last 6 months. The key to our overall product development process is that it's very repeatable because we know how to go and do the research, find the pain points and actually launch a product or a module or a feature to solve for those pain points. Selling to mean general contractors right now, our primary user, and really excited to just get more and more contractors onboard the platform over the next year. We're definitely looking at adding new product nodules and also looking at international markets like the UK and Australia. [10:10] Tell us a bit more about the ConTech market in terms of investment. It's the era that's received the most amount of investment in 2021 and set to be bigger in 2022. What have you seen since founding Bridgit back in 2014? ConTech market investment has doubled in the last decade and its accelerated, far beyond the pace of growth of just the venture capital. The other thing we've seen is just a ton of consolidation in the markets. Not all of that capital is going into seeding new companies. Some of the larger companies out there are seeing all of the innovation within the small and midsize companies, and there has been a ton of acquisitions. We've just seen a dramatic shift since when we started the company. The appetite and need for technology now, it feels like we're just at the beginning. We've started to see solutions where the data is being collected. And now over the next number of years, I think we're going to see some really interesting opportunities around how that data can be put to use. [13:00] The statistics say it's harder to raise as a female founder. How did you find it? Are there any tips? At the beginning, we certainly found it challenging to raise capital early on in the business. At that point, you're really just pitching your vision and you're pitching yourselves as founders. And at that point that was much more difficult of a sell. Over time what we were able to do is start to prove our efforts more in the actual metrics and numbers of the business. And that makes the conversation much easier. And that was just because of the momentum and the product market fit that we were able to show. And just proving that through all of the growth that we have. [15:30] You're fast-growing tech business. How have you gone about recruiting from a diverse talent pool? What would you say are the most attractive parts of working in this space? And why did you both go into it? We both have family backgrounds in construction. After our studies and hearing all of the different pain points and challenges, we realised we can play a role in helping to solve the problems in the industry. At Bridgit we've been diverse from day one. Mallorie and I did not come from software engineering backgrounds. We were females in construction technology in two male dominated industries. We had little capital to put to work and hired people within our network. If diversity happens early on, it becomes really attractive for a lot of people to come and work at a company that has people with so many different perspectives and so many different backgrounds. We do very specific things in terms of how we're attracting and recruiting talent. We cast a very wide net by how we post our job descriptions and job postings. We eliminate a lot of the criteria that a lot of tech companies would include things like “you need to have X number of years in this type of role at another B2B SaaS company”. For more entry level roles, we've found that you don't need to have that experience to work at Bridgit. [21:00] You've got some huge clients. How did you go about securing some of your clients? Any tips for people looking to break into this industry you'd like to share? We built our product hand in hand with different customers. The construction industry is a very tight nit group, a very competitive industry. It was a very deliberate choice to start with the enterprise segment, because those companies hold a lot of credibility. To have customers speak to how they've used the product at trade shows doing different podcasts or webinars and having the customers speak to the product, that is what we have found is the most engaging. We've been very careful to say no when it comes to our strategy and the type of client that we're selling to. So, we could really focus on who we could add the most value to given where the product is at today and deliver a great experience. We are also very genuine and very honest in how we speak to the product. [26:00] Have you used any sort of external support, associations or groups to help your growth? There are associations that we are part of. We have integration partners, companies that our product integrates with and we're able to actually show that business use case for how the two products can work together. There're other partners that we work with that are more industry specific. There are marketing partners that we work with to do joint webinars and collaborate together as different teams. Our base of investors who provide a ton of different supports. And we've been quite deliberate in building that group of investors to have those construction backgrounds and people with tech backgrounds. There's been so many people in the industry that have given us so much time. And I think it speaks to everyone's motivation and interest. [30:00] The ‘LMRE' part, Louisa asks the guests to talk about: Lessons learned in your career Importance of corporate values. It's really helped to align everyone and the decisions that we're making and how we're hiring and just the brand that we're putting out to the team and to potential employees. Deliver results fast. We have win or lose together, which is all about teamwork. We have never stopped learning. Mention a person, product or service Thiago Da Costa, Co-Founder & CEO at Toric. Analytics is such a compelling opportunity in the space right now. Rewarding parts of working in the space: The industry was open to giving us feedback so that we were able to figure out how to build a product, launch it and build a 90-person diverse team. The partnership that Lauren and I have together What are you most Excited about for the future of the space?: Expanding on our product, workforce planning. The growth and seeing some of the early team members that have been able to just take on challenge after challenge. Sponsors Launch Your Own Podcast Kopus.com is the leading podcast production and strategic content company for brands, organisations, institutions, individuals, and entrepreneurs. Our team sets you up with the right strategy, equipment, training, and guidance and content to ensure you sound amazing while speaking to your niche audience and networking with your perfect clients. Get in touch jason@kopus.com
Summary: In this episode of the Propcast, Louisa speaks with Christopher Hopper & Samuel Adeyemo from Aurora Solar about what effect the growing solar industry can have on the built environment. They discuss how their technology is changing the way that solar panels are designed and fitted, saving on emissions and reducing money for the end consumer. You'll learn more about the career opportunities within renewable energy projects within PropTech and Christopher and Samuel's best advice for anyone looking to enter the industry at this exciting time. Companies Mentioned: Fifth Wall Shout Outs: Michael Beckerman, Climate Tech Greg Smithies, Brendan Wallace, Brad Greiwe at Fifth Wall Brian Bartholomeusz Key Insights From This Episode: We started a non-profit organization that developed off-grid electrification solutions for developing countries... We electrified about 600 homes over the course of a couple of years, mostly through solar power. - Christopher Obviously solar is renewable energy. You're not burning fossil fuels in are causing emissions. - Samuel As we move to more decentralisation, I can't think of anything that's much more decentralised than being able to control and own your own energy. - Samuel Unfortunately, when there are in natural disasters, it's a poignant reminder to people that a) we need to do something about it, and b) if you're concerned about reliability and independence, solar is something that you should seriously consider. - Samuel Solar is a super interesting space, and in a very interesting time. It's a space that matters and that's pretty rare combination. - Chris In the last decade or so, we've seen the early stages of this massive shift from large centralised fossil fuel nuclear base generation, towards distributed renewables that are much more dynamic. - Christopher Keywords: renewable energy, solar panels, ESG, climate change, emissions About Our Guests: Christopher Hopper, Co-Founder & CEO, Aurora Solar https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-hopper/ Christopher Hopper is the Co-founder and CEO of Aurora Solar, the solar industry's leading platform for solar PV system design and sales. Prior to founding Aurora, Chris co-founded e.quinox and BBOXX, a charitable organization and a startup focused on developing sustainable rural electrification solutions for the developing world. He received an MBA from Stanford's Graduate School of Business and an MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Imperial College London. Samuel Adeyemo, Co-Founder & CRO, Aurora Solar https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdadeyemo/ Samuel Adeyemo is the co-founder and CRO of Aurora Solar, a software application used by solar professionals to design and sell solar PV installations. Prior to Aurora, Samuel was Co-Founder of Vituo Technologies, a solar EPC that installs small commercial PV systems in emerging markets. Samuel started his career at JPMorgan, where he was a Vice President in the bank's Chief Investment Office, and was responsible for investing the bank's assets. Samuel got his AB from the University of Chicago, and his MBA and MSc from Stanford University. About Aurora Solar Aurora Solar was founded in 2013 with the idea that well-built digital tools could transform the process of how solar projects are designed and sold, paving the way for scalability and cost reduction. Fast forward to today, Aurora is the industry's leading software platform, trusted by thousands of solar industry leaders around the world. To date, over 7 million solar projects have been designed in Aurora. Aurora Solar was named Rising Star Company by S&P Global Platts in 2020, and ranked on Inc. Magazine's Inc. 5000 2021 list. About Our Host Louisa Dickins https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisa-dickins-ab065392/ Louisa started her career in property working at a well-known estate agency in London. Realising her people skills, she moved over to Lloyd May to pursue a career in recruitment. She now is a Director at LMRE, who are a specialist recruitment firm driven by PropTech and recruitment professionals, and Louisa oversees their 5 core areas. Louisa co-founded LMRE and provides a constructive recruitment platform to the new disruptors in real estate. Louisa is also on the board of Directors at UK PropTech Association (UKPA). About LMRE www.lmre.tech LMRE believe there is a better way to recruit. LMRE focus on a more comprehensive, client led focus delivering exceptional talent to the place at the time. They are passionate about the industry and passionate about people's careers. LMRE spend time with each client to become and an extension of the business, and their transparency and core values help them grow with the sector. LMRE simplify recruitment and innovate with our clients and evolve the people driven, PropTech community. Timestamps [02:30] What is the founding story or Aurora Solar? Along with a couple of friends, Chris started a non-profit bringing off grid power to developing countries. Chris and Sam met at Stanford Business School and both shared a passion for entrepreneurship. Now they make software for solar companies to help them scale their business design and support adoption of solar. [06:40] What are the major ESG components of solar, how does it slow down climate change? Aurora takes all of the manual processes of design and fit of solar panels and turns them into easy digital processes. By nature, the product is ESG as it is all done remotely. [11:00] Do you have a challenge with people who are less used to tech being slower to adopt your software? The technology has proven itself; we have validations from various places and customers are seeing it themselves. [13:00] Is it right that you've delivered over 7 million solar projects? We help out clients and scientists do work in the field. The work of Aurora is behind the scenes and we don't take credit for the project, but we support the end-to-end process through the software. [14:30] What major trends have you seen from customers? During the snowstorm in Texas last year, we saw Texas having the highest per capital number of solar designs created, which wouldn't have been the case in the past. People have seen a problem and want to have more independence and reliability with their energy. [17:45] What are the career opportunities in this space? Energy is undergoing such a huge transition right now. It's an interesting trend with a lot of challenges to shift to a future powered by renewable energy. There's a lot that software can actually do to bring down the cost of, solar which ultimately will drive adoption. The work is meaningful, the product is interesting, the value of what you're selling is clear with some explanation. [23:00] The LMRE part of the podcast. L - what is the main lesson you've learned? M - mention someone or give a shoutout to a product or service. R – what is the most rewarding part of working in PropTech? E – what are you most excited about for the future? L – Follow your personal interests. Don't make a plan B, go for broke. M - Brian Bartholomeusz from TomKat Centre for Sustainable Energy at Stanford, the team at Aurora and Fifth Wall as investors. R – Being able to have an impact. E – Bringing new technology to the market. Sponsors CREtech Check out CREtech+, the first streaming platform devoted to innovation and technology in the built world, featuring new weekly videos with the world's leading real estate and tech professionals. The first month of streaming is free, and when you use the code LMRE you'll also receive 25% off the second month. Visit plus.cretech.com for more. Launch Your Own Podcast Kopus.com is the leading podcast production and strategic content company for brands, organisations, institutions, individuals, and entrepreneurs. Our team sets you up with the right strategy, equipment, training, and guidance and content to ensure you sound amazing while speaking to your niche audience and networking with your perfect clients. Get in touch jason@kopus.com
About Peter Lewis and Wharton Equity PartnersPeter C. Lewis is the President and Founder of Wharton Equity Partners, a prominent real estate developer and investor with over thirty years of experience in multifamily, mixed-use and, most recently, industrial sectors.Wharton Equity Partners is a NYC-based real estate owner, operator and developer with an increasingly active venture capital arm - Wharton Equity Ventures - which has been an important investor in several pioneering companies that have achieved valuations in excess of $1 billion. Connect with Peter on LinkedIn Check out Wharton Equity Partners About Brad Wright and ChunkerBrad is the CEO of Chunker, a marketplace for short-term, on-demand warehouse space. As CEO Brad is responsible for overseeing the vision and operations of Chunker along with driving sales and company growth.Chunker is a marketplace for listing and procuring short-term warehouse space. Simply put: it's the Airbnb for warehouse space. Spaces range anywhere from 500 to 200,000+ SF in 41 states and 155 cities across the U.S. Connect with Brad on LinkedIn Check out Chunker
The Commercial Real Estate Academy podcast was created to demystify the commercial real estate industry for the masses. During our weekly episodes, we interview industry experts on a host of different commercial real estate-related topics. Through these interviews, we hope to arm you with the knowledge, references, and tools you'll need to confidently pursue commercial real estate opportunities as a business owner and/or an investor. Raphael Collazo and Jeff Walston are excited to introduce their guest for this week! In today's episode, we hosted Michael Beckerman, CEO of CRETech & CRETech Climate, for a lively conversation about commercial real estate technology. ▶️ During our conversation, we explored topics such as: • How he got started in the commercial real estate industry, • Why the commercial real estate industry lags behind others in technology adoption, • What new technological advances will aid the brokerage business, • What new technological advances will aid the construction business, • What new technological advances will generate more profits for landlords, • How to effectively implement new technology within your organization, • As well as much more... ▶️ If you're interested in learning more about Paul, feel free to contact him at: ▶ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beckerman/ ▶ Website: https://www.cretech.com/ Below I've provided links to books that were referenced during the episode: 1) Man's Search For Meaning - https://amzn.to/3zrMQ3J 2) The Untethered Soul - https://amzn.to/3CwzhBW 3) The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching - https://amzn.to/3kqDVLn If you find value in these episodes, please SUBSCRIBE, leave us a 5