Proptech Insights: Smart Innovations from Gendo, KUGU, and JLL

Hello and welcome to today’s PropTech Edition! I’m Wes Snow, and I'm excited to bring you the latest updates in the industry as we step into December, we're wrapping up a festive November. 

Coming up today, we’ll explore how AI is reshaping architectural visualization, dive into the advancements in energy efficiency for real estate and look at innovative solutions for smarter data interaction. 

AI Platform Gendo Raises €5.1M to Enhance Architectural Visualization 

Exciting news: Architects can now turn ideas into lifelike visualizations in minutes. All thanks to the London-based AI platform @Gendo. The company has raised €5.1 million to transform design visualization. Its technology aims to cut costs and speed up workflows across the architectural industry.  

Check out more on the emerging trends in real estate in 2024. 

Gendo, founded in 2022, uses AI to turn sketches, 2D drawings, or text prompts into high-quality visualizations. These renderings are completed in just eight minutes, making the process over 100 times faster than traditional methods.  

I see tools like Gendo reshaping industry norms. While it’s early days, the potential to make visualization more accessible and efficient is hard to ignore.  

🔗Read the full story here   

PropTech Company KUGU Raises €8.5M to Decarbonize Real Estate  

I could not help but notice how proptech industry keeps buzzing with innovations and trends. Let’s take a look at @KUGU, a German-based company that has raised €8.5 million to advance its decarbonization solutions for real estate. 

Ready for the tech talk? Alright. KUGU optimizes energy systems in real estate by monitoring energy use in real-time, cutting CO₂ emissions, and reducing energy consumption by up to 30%. The company currently manages over 12,000 buildings and saved 25 million kWh of energy last year — the equivalent of what 7,000 households consume annually. KUGU plans to expand to 50,000 buildings and reduce CO₂ emissions by 100,000 tons per year.  

🔗Read the full story here    

I love seeing companies like KUGU appear on the horizon. A sustainable and smart future is a bright path to follow. Wondering what Ascendix is doing on this part? Check out our lates piece on our sustainable practices. 

JLL Expands AI Capabilities to Transform CRE Data Interaction 

AI is still on the radar of PropTech companies. For one, JLL has unveiled an updated version of its AI-powered platform, JLL Azara. The platform is designed to transform how businesses interact with corporate real estate and facilities management data. Powered by JLL Falcon, it offers instant, customized insights through a conversational interface, helping businesses make faster, smarter decisions.

JLL Azara helps clients across various sectors, including performance managers and business analysts, to make data-driven decisions on portfolio optimization, service provider performance, and more. The platform responds to natural language queries, providing actionable insights in real time. 

Interesting observation: JLL Azara is making it easier for businesses to make smart decisions about their real estate. Whether it's for improving building performance or managing service providers, the platform helps users get quick answers to their questions. By simply asking in natural language, users receive clear, real-time insights that help them take action faster. 

🔗Read the full story here     

In case you’re interested in how AI is used in real estate, enjoy the article on our blog.  

Qflow and Procore Partner to Improve Construction Reporting 

Here’s a look at another big move in construction tech. @Qflow, a platform focused on sustainability, has teamed up with @Procore, a leading construction management software provider.  

This collaboration is set to make on-site reporting easier by automating the process of capturing materials and delivery data. 

As I see it, this integration really simplifies the process for construction teams. Rather than manually logging materials data, all they need to do is take a photo of delivery tickets or receipts. Qflow’s technology then extracts the key details from the image, calculates the carbon footprint of the materials, and uploads everything directly into Procore’s daily logs. This not only reduces the chance of errors but also ensures everything is recorded accurately. 

Check out the following: 7 Solutions that Automate Planning and Management in Construction 

The main advantage of the technology is that it helps contractors meet sustainability goals and stay compliant, all while cutting down on the time spent doing manual reporting.  

I’m confident that the future of construction will demand smarter, more efficient reporting systems. Collaborations like this are definitely a step forward.  

🔗Read the full story here      

CRE Outlook for 2025 

As we approach the end of 2024, it's a good time to look ahead to the outlook for commercial real estate in 2025. Here's what to expect: 

• Economic Growth: The economy is projected to grow slowly at 1.7% in 2025, which is lower than 2024's estimate but better than a recession. 

• Interest Rates: Rates are expected to stay high but stable, which will make borrowing more manageable than in recent years. 

• Trends to Continue: The growth of e-commerce, the work-from-home trend, and the push for greener buildings will remain key factors. 

• Investment Opportunities: Multifamily housing, data centers, industrial properties, and senior housing are seen as strong investment areas. 

• Hospitality: Hospitality is recovering but will be more sensitive to economic conditions. 

I see 2025 as a year of cautious optimism. While there are clear opportunities, the market will demand flexibility and a strong understanding of shifting trends. For businesses in our space, this means focusing on efficiency and adapting to new needs in real estate tech, rather than chasing every emerging trend. 

🔗Read the full story here       

And that wraps up this week's roundup of real estate and proptech news. Share in the comments your most insightful Proptech findings!  

Planning to implement AI in your real estate business? Reach out to Ascendix Tech for a free AI consultation. We'll help you identify the most impactful AI opportunities for your specific business needs.