Anyone who has lived in Boston can attest that the real estate scene is pretty confusing. As the city’s population continues to grow, competition for finding safe and affordable housing has gotten fierce.
So it’s no surprise that the Hub has also become a hotbed for tech companies focused on streamlining the process of finding a house, apartment or even an office space. Here, we’ve rounded up eight real estate tech companies geared toward everything from real estate advertising and office booking, to finding shared living spaces.
What they do: Compass provides an easy-to-use platform for buyers and sellers of residential real estate in markets on the East and West Coast. Compass also provides free online neighborhood guides that can help you browse for a new home without leaving the house.
How it’s changing real estate: Compass takes some of the stress out of buying and selling a home by providing a reliable resource for users.
Founded: 2012
Funding: $208M
What they do: Robin is a room booking tool for offices that works on mobile, web, and tablets.
How it’s changing real estate: For those using Robin’s mobile app, iBeacons detects when users are in a room and books their calendars automatically, letting their team members know who and what space is available in real-time.
Founded: 2014
Funding: $9.9M
What they do: Placester is a real estate marketing platform that provides the ability to advertise homes online through automated distribution and performance tracking.
How it’s changing real estate: Advertisers using Placester can focus on managing their most promising leads while Placester handles the mechanics of increasing traffic.
Founded: 2008
Funding: $50.17M
What they do: Boston Logic Technology Partners is a software-as-a-service (Saas) technology platform that helps real estate brokers, teams and individual agents manage desktop and mobile websites, email marketing, marketing automation, data management and more.
How it’s changing real estate: Boston Logic’s software brings those in the real estate world up to speed with the latest technology so they can focus more on following leads and less on marketing their services.
Founded: 2004
Funding: N/A
What they do: coUrbanize’s platform connects real estate developers and planners with community members so that project developers can distribute information and gather feedback from a large range of local residents.
How it’s changing real estate: coUrbanize’s mission is to minimize communities’ misunderstandings about real estate development projects so there’s less confusion, objections and delays during the public approval process.
Founded: 2013
Funding: $1.37M
What they do: Dweller aims to change the traditional brokerage model and improve transparency in the real estate industry with its easy-to-use platform geared toward home buyers and sellers.
How it’s changing real estate: If you’re trying to sell your home fast, Dweller can supercharge your listing and help you find buyers fast.
Founded: 2014
Funding: $0.09M
What they do: Krash is network of shared living spaces for entrepreneurs in cities around the East Coast. “Krashing” entails living for three to 12 months in a collaborative shared living space.
How it’s changing real estate: Innovators get the chance to surround themselves with like-minded individuals, whether they’re cohabitating with fellow hackers, founders, designers, marketers or engineers. This not only expands your professional network but also could lead to some serious business opportunities.
Founded: 2013
Funding: N/A
What they do: My Home Pro Network is a free networking platform that connects real estate agents with mortgage lenders and business and home owners so they can easily manage referrals and engage with consumers.
How it’s changing real estate: My Home Pro Network’s software helps real estate agents curate their local professional network and set themselves apart from the pack. Plus, the platform fully complies with all federal, state and local regulations, so users at both ends of the home buying and selling transaction are protected.
Founded: 2015
Funding: N/A
What they do: Navut is simplifying the relocation process by using your personalized data to help you identify the right neighborhood for you.
How it’s managing real estate: Navut even pairs you with a realtor who can best meet your needs, whether that’s someone who specializes in a certain location, property type or speaks your native language.
Founded: 2012
Funding: $0.87M
What they do: OpportunitySpace is an online marketplace for undervalued government-owned properties that connects available real estate with potential new owners including real estate developers and tenants.
How it’s changing real estate: OpportunitySpace wants to help governments and neighborhood organizations unlock the untapped value of public land and buildings to create vibrant and sustainable communities.
Founded: 2013
Funding: $0.55M
What they do: Sumu helps you find the right house at the right price by working with landlords and property managers to find you affordable, no-fee housing in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville.
How it’s changing real estate: The platform is FREE to use for renters. Instead, Sumu charges property managers based on the number of active posts that are currently available and ready to move into right away.
Founded: 2014
Funding: $100K
