13 May 2020
PropTech Innovation Award: Every finalist a winner
• Prize money to be shared equally among the 18 finalists
• PropTech Innovation Summit 2020 turned into digital platform
• Live stream discussions on digital solutions for life post-coronavirus
The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating digital transformation. From estate agents, developers and landlords to lawyers, the restrictions imposed due to Covid-19 are forcing everybody online. Digital transformation is no longer a choice, it’s a necessity. Accordingly, the PropTech Innovation Summit 2020 organised by Union Investment and GERMANTECH is being turned into a digital platform. On 19 May, the finalists will introduce themselves via interviews and webinars. In addition, there will be exclusive think tank sessions to discuss challenges, solutions and options for the real estate industry. The audience will be able to ask questions via a chat function. There will also be an event app that offers numerous opportunities to network alongside the online event.
Despite a step change in digitisation, proptechs are not immune to the negative impact of the current pandemic. Some companies face bankruptcy, while many business models will have to be adapted to the new Environment.
“We continue to believe in the proptech industry and therefore remain committed to the PropTech Innovation Summit, especially in these difficult times. Special situations call for creative solutions. So at this year’s summit, we’ll be discussing the challenges that the coronavirus crisis poses for the real estate and start-up sectors in digital form. We’ll look forward together and attempt to find answers and identify innovation potential for the future.”
Jens Wilhelm, a member of the Management Board of Union Asset Management Holding AG
“Every crisis also throws up opportunities. Sustainability and digital transformation are taking centre stage. A world that is working remotely highlights just how important digital solutions are – and the proptech sector will benefit from that,” said Benjamin Rohé, founder of GERMANTECH.
Some 150 applicants from 29 countries entered the international PropTech Innovation Award this year. 18 finalists from Germany, Switzerland, Israel, the UK, Finland and Slovenia were selected by the jury. This year, however, there will be no pitches. Jens Wilhelm: “Our finalists all deserve to be supported.” We will therefore be dividing the EUR 40,000 prize money equally among the finalists.
Under the slogan “Building perspectives in challenging times”, the international PropTech Innovation Award 2020 features the best solutions in the categories Smart and Sustainable Buildings, Efficient Decision Making, Smart Living, Smart Retail, Future Office, and Connected Hospitality. These categories were defined by Union Investment in conjunction with partners from the real estate industry to encapsulate the challenges currently facing the sector. The jury selected three finalists in each category, who will now give presentations at the digital PropTech Innovation Summit.
The international PropTech Innovation Award is being held by Union Investment and GERMANTECH for the fourth time. 150 submissions were received from 29 countries this year. Last year, AI proptech Dabbel Automation Intelligence of Germany beat 150 applicants from 48 countries to win the award. The prize winners since 2017 include innovators such as Bao Living, Voxelgrid, Physee, Spaceti, HiP Interactive, Green City Solutions and Architrave, many of which have successfully established themselves and are now working with well-known companies in the real estate sector.
To register for the digital PropTech Innovation Summit on 19 May go to www.proptech-innovation.de
Media contact
For Union Investment Real Estate GmbH