Since 2016, MetaProp and PwC have partnered to track the evolution of property technology (proptech) and its impact on global real estate markets. The most recent Global PropTech Confidence Index draws on the perspectives of thousands of tech entrepreneurs and investors to provide clarity into how innovation is evolving and where the sector is headed. As we approach 2026, several themes stand out.
- AI Is Moving from Experimentation to Adoption
As we move into 2026, the results of both early exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied across the built environment and subsequent small-scale pilots or proofs of concept are beginning to show. AI is no longer just an experimental tool—it is gradually becoming a practical driver of efficiency and performance. Organizations across real estate, construction, and infrastructure are beginning to adopt solutions that streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve decision-making. This transition marks an important phase for the sector. Rather than speculation about AI’s promise, we are now seeing measured implementation that produces tangible outcomes. - Proptech’s Boundaries Continue to Expand and Mature
Advances in artificial intelligence are catalyzing efficiency gains across operations, from owners and operators to lenders and contractors. These benefits are increasingly visible in performance metrics, encouraging adoption and fueling new business formation. Importantly, the scope of proptech continues to broaden as technology permeates every corner of the built environment. What was once narrowly defined as software for real estate now extends across construction, infrastructure, climate, industrial Internet of Things (IoT), and energy. These adjacent sectors—characterized by scale, data density, and customer urgency—are becoming fertile ground for innovation. - Startups and Investors Converge Where Industry Urgency Meets AI Leverage
The most concentrated zones of innovation are those where customer demand aligns with AI’s ability to create value. Categories structurally built on prediction—such as predictive maintenance, insurance, and mortgage underwriting—are drawing attention for their data density, repetitive workflows, and frequent decision-making. Construction technology continues to be a focal point. Ongoing labor and materials constraints have sharpened customer demand for productivity solutions, and the industry’s scale and data-rich workflows make it particularly receptive to AI-driven acceleration. - Two Camps of Real Estate Technology Founders Are Emerging
While AI-native proptech companies are benefiting from renewed funding flows, non-AI-driven solutions continue to face a more constrained fundraising environment. This divergence is influencing competitive dynamics and shaping strategic priorities for investors and startups alike. - Appetite Is Renewed for Scale and Category Leaders
High valuations and “monster rounds” are beginning to reappear in proptech. Several recent financings—ranging from growth-equity infusions into scaled operating platforms, to decacorn-level consumer ecosystems, to quarter-billion-class AI raises—demonstrate investor willingness to pay premium prices for companies with proven distribution, durable scale, and leadership positions in their categories. While the broader funding environment remains selective, these transactions reflect renewed appetite for established platforms.
– MetaProp
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