Bengaluru, NFAPost: Brigade REAP has announced India’s first PropTech (property technology) syndicate fund: PropTech@REAP on LetsVenture, India’s full-stack private marketplace that helps in facilitating fundraising for startups.
LetsVenture, a SEBI-registered Angel Fund AIF which has an AUM of over Rs 290+crore, counts more than 350 portfolio companies. PropTech@REAP aims to invest in PropTech startups both from within the Brigade REAP accelerator portfolio and outside.
Brigade REAP will make a minimum of 4 investments in the coming year and invest in startups looking to raise up to half a million US dollars in early-stage funding. Startups that have developed innovative and disruptive technologies in areas like construction tech, alternate material, smart buildings, sustainability, property transactions, affordable housing etc. with demonstrated product-market fit and traction, can apply through the REAP website (https://www.brigadereap.com/investor) for funding.
Brigade Enterprises Ltd Executive Director and Brigade REAP Director Nirupa Shankar said the investments in the PropTech space has grown at a CAGR of 105% in the past 6 years.
“In our experience PropTech startups find it difficult to raise funds at an early stage due to the nascency of the sector. Some of our promising startups have taken anywhere between 12-18 months to raise seed money despite showing early promise. Our aim is to bridge this gap,” said Nirupa Shankar.
Nirupa Shankar said Brigage is now excited to launch a dedicated fund for early stage PropTech startups and the company hopes to support promising startups in their journey to disrupt the real estate sector. “Now that we are ready to mentor our 10th cohort, some of these startups too can benefit from this fund.” said Nirupa Shankar, ,
Brigade REAP Chief Mentor John Kuruvilla Brigade REAP has cultivated a network of Real Estate developers, Architects, MEP consultants, Facility Management cos. and OEMs, as well as a strong connect to Real estate associations both in India and overseas.
“Brigade REAP startups have presented to over 2,000 Real Estate developers and other relevant stakeholders in the last few years. More recently, 11 of Brigade REAP’S startups raised money despite the pandemic,” said John Kuruvilla.
Commenting on the PropTech Syndicate Fund, LetsVenture Co-founder & CEO Shanti Mohan said with the focus now shifting towards online marketplaces with integration of digital technology & innovative business models, startups are now scaling their technologies that provide consumers a seamless experience of viewing their property anywhere virtually in the world.
“With rapid innovation and improvement of virtual and augmented reality, the PropTech market is indeed expanding at a reasonably faster pace. We are happy to partner with Brigade REAP and looking forward to work & mentor PropTech startups in the future,” said Shanti Mohan.
Confirming that PropTech startups with disruptive and relevant technology and expert hands-on mentorship can attract investment, Ayush Jha of Clairco, Abhilash of WEGOT, Supratik of Renewate and Rahul N. of SanIOT say that the assistance that they received from Brigade REAP helped in initiating investor discussions, creating successful pitches and closing their funding round quickly was invaluable.
According to Abhilash Haridass from WeGOT, who has raised close to US $ 3 million since graduating from the REAP Programme, said the experience at Brigade REAP helped immensely in their fund-raising efforts as they helped in building a credible business model and connected them to potential investors while Brigade REAP also invested in the company.
Brigade REAP’s 10th Cohort
Brigade REAP also invites applications from startups for its 10th cohort with specific focus on robotics and automation, sustainability and alternate material. In the nine previous cohorts, Brigade REAP has mentored 49 startups.
These startups have witnessed an average YoY increase in revenue of 165%. Close to half of these startups have raised capital from marquee VCs and angel investors and all have secured business from the real estate fraternity.
Applications will be accepted till 23rd June 2021.
BRIGADE REAP
Brigade Real Estate Accelerator Program (REAP) started in 2016 was recognised by Startup India as the No 1 accelerator program in the country. Within a year of commencement of the program, Brigade REAP has recognized amongst the Top #3 Real Estate accelerators in the world! It’s success over the past 5 years has established the emergence of PropTech as a critical sector for India’s progress.
Started in October 2016, the main objective of Brigade REAP is to understand the challenges faced by the Real Estate sector and then identify, nurture and validate solutions by innovative startups that can then catalyse the rapid adoption of technology by the sector, helping deliver significant cost savings, revenue maximization and overall process efficiencies.
Through its well-established network of over 50 veteran mentors, domain experts, investor access, deep industry relationships, corporate partnerships, access to a structured program, & the expertise of in-house mentors, REAP startups are adding value to India’s Real estate developers- both big and small.
LetsVenture
Founded in 2013 LetsVenture is today organizing India’s private market by making the process of fundraising easy, efficient and transparent for both startups and investors and bringing value-added products to the market. Launched in May 2020, LetsVenture Plus is a growth platform designed specifically for UHNIs and Family Offices to access exclusive investments across growth-stage private companies, unicorns, and global funds.
LetsVenture cap table ESOP management product – MyStartupEquity has 170+ customers from India, Singapore & USA. LetsVenture is backed by Accel, Chiratae Ventures, Nandan Nilekani, Ratan Tata, Rishad Premji, Mohandas Pai, Sharad Sharma, Anupam Mittal.