Announcing the 2019 Class of the Colliers Proptech Accelerator powered by Techstars

By Ben Liao We are thrilled to welcome ten startups from around the world to convene in Toronto, Canada for the 2019 Colliers Proptech Accelerator powered by Techstars.   We have reached a tipping point in Proptech, the intersection of tech and real estate, with hundreds of applications to our program from each region around the world this year.  We received applications from an unprecedented 50+ countries, resulting in the selection of 10 amazing teams! I’m proud to have them join us …

WeWork Parent Weighs Further Valuation Cut

WeWork’s parent is eyeing a valuation for its initial public offering that could fall below $20 billion as some existing investors push the workspace company to shelve the planned offering, people familiar with the matter said. Despite plans to begin a roadshow to market the shares to new investors as early as Monday, We Co. and its underwriters are planning to hold meetings this week among themselves and with investors to figure out what changes may be needed to help garner enough demand f…

Real estate tech startup Savvy Lane raises $2M with plans to keep moving into West Coast markets

Savvy Lane is making moves in the crowded field of companies using tech to disrupt traditional real estate practices. The 4-year-old Seattle startup announced this week that it has raised $2 million in a new funding round and plans to expand upon its West Coast footprint. The funding was led by what Savvy Lane called “a notable public company targeting innovative property tech solutions.” Savvy Lane, which currently has an operations team of eight employees along with about 12 real estate age…

How big data could help make it easier for landlords to evict you

StreetEasy is trying to steal our landlord clients: brokerage execs

UPDATED: Sept. 6, 6:41 p.m.: What started as a way for StreetEasy to vet rental listings has led to another all-out brawl between New York City resi brokerages and the Zillow-owned portal. Over the past year, StreetEasy has been asking brokers to submit copies of their exclusive rental agreements in order to “verify” the accuracy of the listing data. But in recent weeks, several of the city’s top brokerage firms have accused StreetEasy of using confidential information in those agreements to …

Saltbox to Debut Novel Shared Workspace Concept in Atlanta

The shared workspace sector continues to expand and evolve, and Saltbox Inc. is playing a role in the transformation. The new startup has just announced its first location, a 27,000-square-foot facility to open in Atlanta, providing a combination of coworking and co-warehousing space for what it calls the “concrete class.”

Modular Is Poised For Greatness — If Only CRE Understood How To Use It

After going through the entitlement process and breaking ground on Los Angeles’ first steel modular construction high-rise, BLVD Hospitality officials are now big believers in modular construction. Developers hope the steel modular hotel — set to rise in downtown sometime in October 2020 — can be a shining example of a well-built modular construction product.

Compass says it rejected Realogy’s offer to sell

UPDATED: Sept. 6, 6:58 p.m.: With his back against the mats, Realogy CEO Ryan Schneider considered selling the brokerage to its chief rival: Compass. In a statement Friday, the SoftBank-backed brokerage said Schneider even proposed a plan where the arch enemies would form a joint venture — a proposal Compass said it declined. The statement was made in conjunction with Compass’ motion to dismiss an explosive lawsuit filed by Realogy earlier this summer. In the suit, Realogy accused Compass …

Uber has surveyed some drivers on small loans, suggesting financial products are coming

Back in June Uber went on a hiring spree in New York, hiring at least 100 fintech-oriented tech workers to ostensibly look at creating products to increase loyalty and engagement among users and drivers, including things like banking. Cue a flurry of speculation. It now looks like Uber  is taking baby-steps towards building such a raft of products out, potentially by offering loans directly to drivers, according to a report from Recode/Vox….

WeWork’s plunging valuation could spell concern for other real estate startups

Since the start of 2019, WeWork’s lofty $47 billion has been a fixture of fascination — how could an unprofitable startup be worth more than 15 times its revenue?