A New Milestone in Proptech: Report from the CEE Property Forum in Vienna

More Than Just a Professional Gathering

The CEE Property Forum in Vienna was not just another industry event—it marked a true milestone for the Central and Eastern European (CEE) proptech ecosystem. The launch of the very first CEE Proptech Award and a series of inspiring panel discussions all contributed to elevating collaboration between technology and real estate into a new dimension.

Lessons in Practice, Not Just Theory

One of the most important messages of the event was that proptech is not only about applying technology—it is about successful implementation, long-term partnerships, and the cultural change required for real transformation.

The proptech panel discussion highlighted that collaboration between real estate players and technology companies can only be successful if both sides are willing to learn from one another and work together on introducing innovations.

The discussion was moderated by Zoltán Kalmár, founder of ProptechZoom, and his panelists were leaders from successful proptech firms and innovative real estate companies:

• Bogdan Nicoară, CEO and co-founder of Bright Spaces, creator of an interactive 3D platform offering innovative solutions for the Built World’s stakeholders—owners, consultants, fit-out firms, and architects. Just yesterday, he also won the very first CEE Proptech Award, co-organized by us.

• Ján Hrončák, partner at GOSPACE LABS (ParkingAround), delivering IoT and telecommunications solutions to tackle major environmental challenges in real estate, including a real-time IoT-based parking software for residential and commercial assets.

• Kateřina Kulíšková, business development strategist at M2C | INNOVIS, a facility management and security service that has evolved into a tech-driven company, simplifying property operations.

• Sergii Stoliarchuk, CEO of Maxify, a Ukrainian startup developing dynamic pricing software primarily for residential developers, helping properties sell faster and at better prices through machine learning, multi-factor optimization, and transaction analysis.

• Markus Schmut, partner at R8Tech, a proptech solution applying AI to cut energy consumption costs by up to 25%, consistently reducing operational expenses for over a decade.

• Artur Łeszczyński, Business Development Director at Skanska Residential Development Poland, an innovator with in-house IT competences and a proprietary smart application.

One of the most striking insights came from the audience poll: cultural change is essential for successful digital transformation—and at the same time, considered the hardest challenge. This means it is not enough to find the best technological solutions; the entire organization must be prepared for change.

Key Takeaways from the Conference

ESG: More Words Than Action

Although ESG (environmental, social, governance) is gaining more attention, the industry often fails to act accordingly. Instead of focusing on new builds, greater emphasis should be placed on retrofit solutions and urban planning.

The Growth of the Rental Market

The private rental sector (PRS)—whether student housing, co-living, micro-apartments, or senior housing—is playing an increasingly important role in real estate.

The Rise of AI and Automation

Tech companies have reached a deeper level in applying AI, showcasing more effective case studies. This widens the gap between real estate players and technology providers.

The Importance of Partnerships

Long-term cooperation between technology and real estate stakeholders is a prerequisite for successful digitalization. To achieve this, both sides need to truly understand each other’s operations and business needs.

Challenges and Solutions

Panel discussions also examined the challenges of digitalization in depth, such as:

• How to prepare real estate players for change?

• What are the key steps for successful tech adoption?

• How can value be created from data?

Vision and Next Steps

Participants agreed that the long-term goal of real estate digitalization is to create a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable sector. Achieving this, however, requires change not only on the technological level but also organizationally and culturally.

The CEE Property Forum in Vienna clearly demonstrated that proptech and real estate innovation are not only shaping the future but already transforming the present. The event provided both knowledge and inspiration for participants to continue advancing digitalization across the region.

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