I’ve been to the Business Design Centre a few times now, but I can safely say that I’ve never seen it in such a state of buzz and excitement. The exhibition area was packed with exhibitors who had flown in from all over the world to showcase their latest products.

Here are some cool PropTech companies I had the pleasure of speaking with.

• UK PropTech: Founded in 2017, these local heroes had one mission in mind: to connect, educate and promote innovation in the property technology industry in the UK. Hosting regular events, workshops and conferences while bringing together professionals from across the industry to meet and share ideas with one another, they have a whopping network of over 4,000 members. Their annual conference, PropTech Live, is the largest gathering of PropTech professionals in the UK, which only adds to their already impressive resume of a digital magazine, podcast, and online directory of PropTech companies and products.

• BoxBrownie: (I was a bit disappointed when I found out they had nothing to do with brownies, but ah well!) The company name is taken from the phrase “box brownie” which apparently was a popular brand of camera in the early 20th century, and they offer a range of services including photo editing, floor plan redraws, 360-degree virtual tours and more to assist real estate agents and property managers in showcasing their properties in the best light possible. Being available in over 90 countries around the world, they have already generated over two million images to date, and have received multiple awards for their innovation, including the REB  Award for Best Innovator in 2020. Being a champion of sustainability (we like that), they have implemented myriad initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint, including renewable energy sources and cutting down on packaging waste.

• PropTech Africa: Founded in 2018 as a platform for the promotion and development of PropTech solutions in Africa, they are committed to advancing the African PropTech ecosystem through events, research and advocacy. They’ve partnered with leading organisations such as the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation to promote PropTech innovation in Africa.

• Novvy: Founded in 2016 by Alexey Alekhin, a former real estate investor who saw an opportunity to revolutionse the property management industry through tech, they have offices in San Francisco, Moscow and Minsk. They have already been recognised as one of the fastest growing PropTech companies in the US, with a growth rate of over 300% in 2020. They were awarded the “Most Innovative Technology” award at the National Apartment Association’s 2020 conference, and their platform is currently used by over 2,500 multifamily properties across the US.

• The-Roommate: Founded in 2018 , the company’s platform matches individuals looking for a roommate with a compatible roommate based on their lifestyle preferences, interests and personality traits. Currently based in France and operating in cities around the country, the company is determined to make the roommate experience as friendly as possible, removing the “stranger danger” fear we all so clearly dread when logging onto SpareRoom and trying to find someone suitable to live with! Already recognised for their innovative approach to co-living, they won the “Innovation Award” at the Paris Real Estate fair in 2019.

• Building Passport: Founded in 2018 by two entrepreneurs on a mission to improve building management and enhance the tenant experience (okay, after that last part, I’m listening). Based in New York City, they run a team of talented professionals with backgrounds in real estate, technology and design. Their software platform uses advanced technology such as artificial intelligeince, machine laearning, and computer vision to provide users with real-time date and insights about their buildings. Sporting a diverse portfolio of diverse clients including real estate owners, property managers and service providers, in 2020 they were named as one of the Top 50 Startups to Watch by Built in NYC.

• New London Architecture (NLA): This is a membership organisation for architects, developers, planners and other professionals interested in the built environment. Their aim is to promote the discussion, debate and analysis of architecture, urban planning, and development in London, promoting the absolute excellence in each respective field. They also organise walking tours of London’s most significant architectural and urban planning landmarks, giving access to visitors and tourists who are eager to learn more about the city’s history and development. The NLA is a leading voice in the London architecture and urban planning community, and has developed a Sustainable Development Charter for London, which highlights the best practices for sustainable building design and operation.