The project addresses a key enabler of energy-efficient buildings: digital solutions, frequently described as proptech, for smart and sustainable buildings. However, despite promising potential proptech frequently fail to scale proptech in the real estate sector. Proptech firms introduce innovations such as AI-enabled operational optimization, digital twin functionalities, and smart access, yet many initiatives stall at the pilot stage due to the real estate sectors established routines, business models, and institutional conditions. At the same time, systematic evidence is limited regarding which types of proptech, ownership and funding models, and collaboration patterns drive measurable progress in energy efficiency and firm performance over time.

This project is a data-driven, longitudinal mapping of interactions between proptech firms, real estate owners, and supporting actors. The project develops a database that integrates public firm and registry data with structured coding of offerings, ownership/funding structures, leadership and board networks, customer/partner relations, and links to energy efficiency (drawing on public energy- and sustainability-related information).

By applying quantitative analyses complemented with targeted interviews, the project aims to find outliers and uncover mechanisms explaining why certain proptech solutions scale while others do not. The expected outcomes are:

• an evidence-based understanding of the proptech market ecosystem and its evolution,
• identified drivers and barriers to diffusion and market impact, and
• actionable policy and incentive recommendations.

Target users include public agencies, industry associations, real estate firms, and technology providers (especially proptech firms), who can use the findings to design better incentives, collaboration practices, and investment decisions that accelerate the energy transition in the built environment.