REIQ announces partnership to propel proptech start-ups

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is partnering with the REACH program in a landmark, Australian-industry-first partnership agreement announced today.

The announcement signifies the solidification of a long-standing relationship between the REIQ and the REACH program, to support the ground-breaking growth accelerator for proptech start-ups.

Backed by the National Association of REALTORS®' strategic venture arm, Second Century Ventures, REACH Australia is the premier technology scale-up program in the Asia/Pacific region.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the REIQ was driven to empower real estate professionals to become increasingly efficient and effective through streamlined technology solutions.

“This exciting partnership means that REIQ members will gain early insight and behind-the-curtains access to the emerging and cutting-edge proptech coming from Australia and abroad,” she said.

“Equally, the best and brightest emerging proptechs in the program will benefit greatly from access to practical insights from Australia's leading real estate practitioners and industry heavyweights. It's a win-win for all.”

Ms Mercorella said the Queensland peak body was committed to being an industry leader in championing innovation and the adoption of proptech.

“My vision is for Queensland to be the epicentre of proptech in Australia and our state already has some fantastic emerging technology,” Ms Mercorella said.

“To aid this, we will be working with all levels of government to ensure the right regulatory conditions exist in Queensland and across the country to give these companies every chance of success.”

Ms Mercorella, along with REIQ Board Chair Peter Brewer, are mentoring the startups in the 2022 REACH Australia program and recently spoke at the annual REACH conference on the Gold Coast.

She said the REIQ was incredibly proud to be a supporting partner in the REACH program in Australasia and to play a part in nurturing the next generation of proptech entrepreneurs.

“We're currently in discussions with proptech entrepreneurs about various exciting proptech concepts and we look forward to seeing these innovations taking the industry by storm,” Ms Mercorella said.

“It's incredibly rewarding to be helping to shape the concept development with the insights and understanding of what REIQ members and Queensland real estate professionals need to enable them to improve their day-to-day business activities.”

REACH Australia Managing Partner Peter Schravemade welcomed the partnership and acknowledged the REACH program's 2022 and future cohorts had much to benefit from the REIQ.

“Formalising this partnership is a logical evolution of our respective organisations' focus on fostering, investing in, and mentoring start-up tech that's designed to keep real estate agents front and centre of the real estate transaction,” the proptech pioneer said.

“We are proud to be partnering with a leading organisation such as the REIQ that are recognised for their impactful engagement and influence, and who intimately understand the everyday pain points that real estate professionals need help alleviating.”

The REIQ has a long history of working closely with Australian proptechs to help real estate professionals keep pace with the growing expectations of their clients.

Today's announcement follows the REIQ CEO's recent study tour of emerging proptech in the USA, attending the Inman conference in New York, and holding meetings with prominent members of the National Association of Realtors®.

In 2017, the REIQ established RealTech, a conference which showcases cutting-edge digital trends and products enabling real estate professionals to learn about emerging technologies and tools.

Ms Mercorella currently represents the REIQ on the 2022 Proptech Brisbane Council, to add strategic guidance and input to PropTech BNE's industry-centric initiatives to develop the local proptech economy.

For more information on REACH Australia, including how to apply or join the panel of mentors, visit https://www.reachau.com/learn-more.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Claire Ryan, Media and Stakeholder Relations Manager, The Real Estate Institute of Queensland M: 0417 623 723 E: media@reiq.com.au