Gruhas Aspire-Proptech Scaling Program Onboards 6 Start-Ups to Its 2nd Cohort

• 6 dynamic start-ups (out of 150+) were selected after a screening process spanning months.
• The start-ups are set to embark on a 6 month journey of growth, innovation, and sustainability embedding them within India’s Proptech ecosystem
• This comes after the success of Cohort 1 which saw over INR 22CR raised in capital

Gruhas Fund, DLF Family Office, and Anthill Ventures are thrilled to announce the unveiling of the second cohort of Gruhas Aspire – a proptech accelerator program. This Cohort features six remarkable startups poised to reshape the landscape of the construction and real estate industry. This dynamic initiative will empower these startups with strategic investments, expert guidance, and unparalleled market access opportunities, fostering innovation and sustainability throughout the sector.

Sailesh, Anthill Ventures

Gruhas event

The selected startups encompass a diverse range of groundbreaking solutions aligned with the focus areas such as- New & Emissions-Free Materials & Technologies in Construction, Smart Property Management for Selling & Leasing, Sustainable Properties with Clean Energy, Water Use, & Waste Management and Investments & Financing in Real Estate. Amongst the selected startups are- 

1. Ambiator,
2. Breathe ESG,
3. Earth Fokus,
4. Openhaus,
5. Slice 
6. Zerotouch.

Following the resounding success of the inaugural cohort, the second edition of Gruhas Aspire is committed to further catalyzing the growth of groundbreaking solutions that enhance sustainability, and efficiency in the built environment. The selected startups will benefit from comprehensive support spanning vision, mission & values, business model, product-market fit and growth, pricing and sales, branding and marketing, hiring and performance management, legal and compliance, and overall business mentorship from industry titans. The program is poised to facilitate scale while providing invaluable market access opportunities through strategic collaboration with India's premier developers and property managers. The program will conclude with a Demo Day where each startup will have the opportunity to pitch to a room full of sector specific investors.

Abhijeet Pai, Co-Founder of Gruhas Fund, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Proptech is one of the key pillars to success and longevity of the human race. Gruhas understands that after AgriTech, Proptech as an ecosystem needs more disruption and exposure. With this thought, we look forward to supporting the incoming Cohort of Gruhas Aspire as they navigate the Proptech ecosystem and scale to new heights."

Rahul Talwar, Director of DLF Family Office, added, "Through the second edition of Gruhas Aspire, we aim to empower startups that address climate change and drive sustainability, making a meaningful impact on the environment and society at large."

Sailesh Sigatapu, Partner at Anthill Ventures, emphasized the firm's commitment to propelling the selected startups to new heights, remarking, "With our extensive experience and strategic approach, we will provide these startups with the essential tools, market access, and mentorship needed to accelerate their growth journey. Our goal is to empower them to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and scale their innovations, ultimately contributing to their success and the transformation of the proptech landscape."

The inaugural cohort of Gruhas Aspire achieved remarkable success with six startups completing the program, of which four raised funding during the program and two are in the process of closing their rounds. The program facilitated over INR 22 Crore in capital through both the program and external investors, underscoring its effectiveness in nurturing startups in the proptech sector. The second edition is poised to further build on these achievements and significantly contribute to revitalizing and growing the real estate sector through innovation and sustainability.

About Gruhas

Gruhas was founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs Abhijeet Pai (Puzzolana) and Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha). The VC partners with Early, Venture and Debt Investments in start-ups, founders and teams pushing the boundaries of technology, innovation, and creativity. Gruhas has made over 26 investments since 2021. For more information about the Gruhas Aspire Proptech Scaling Program, please visit https://gruhasaspire.com/.

About DLF Family Office

DLF Family Office stands as one of the oldest family offices in the country. Established by the promoters of DLF Ltd, India's largest real estate company, the family office invests in equity through public market funds, private market funds, and direct investments in unlisted enterprises.

About Anthill Ventures

Anthill Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund and speed scaling ecosystem, investing in visionary entrepreneurs shaping the companies of tomorrow. Focusing on Healthcare, Mediatech, Urbantech, and Consumer Lifestyle, Anthill empowers early-stage startups to achieve transformational growth.

Gruhas Proptech, DLF Family Office, and Anthill Ventures Call For Applications for 2nd Edition of Proptech Scaling Program

• Proptech Industry Set to Reach $9.7 Billion by 2023
• Gruhas ASPIRE will make Strategic Investments and Enable Scale & Market Access for Cohort Startups
• Cohort 1 of the program raised more than INR 22 Crore through the program and outside investors.

Gruhas Proptech, DLF Family Office, and Anthill Ventures have announced the launch of the second edition of Gruhas ASPIRE, a six-month scaling program for early stage proptech startups. With a focus on championing transformational solutions to enhance productivity and sustainability in the construction and real estate sector, the program will enable scale and make strategic investments in cohort winners.

The announcement comes on the heels of successful delivery of the first cohort of the program; out of the seven companies in cohort 1, five have closed a round of funding and the remaining two are in the process of closing a round. Further, three of the early-stage companies have completed their product and commenced go-to-market, and another three have expanded to new geographies and achieved scale.

The program has brought in pilots, forged partnerships with manufacturing and distribution partners, refined business models, and helped with branding and thought leadership. The program partners have funded five of the seven partners directly and by leveraging their investor network. The first cohort will conclude with a demo day in Bengaluru in June.

In the second cohort, selected startups will receive dedicated support in marketing, sales, product, team, and other business challenges. The program will also enable market access via India’s leading developers and property managers. Cohort startups will have the opportunity to secure pilots and POCs through Gruhas Proptech, DLF Family Office, and Anthill Ventures’ strong corporate network, and raise capital via Anthill Angel Funds. There will also be a demo day at the end of the program, where cohort companies will have the opportunity to raise capital and develop relationships with investors, corporates, and government.

According to market research firm MarketsandMarkets, the global proptech market is projected to expand from $4.2 billion in 2018 to $9.7 billion in 2023, indicating a CAGR of 18.0%. Additionally, Mordor Intelligence forecasts that by 2025, the smart building market will reach $109.48 billion, growing at a CAGR of 12.6% between 2020 and 2025. These figures underscore the significant growth potential and market opportunities for proptech startups.

The program’s focus areas include.

• New & Emissions-Free Materials & Technologies in Construction
• Smart Property Management for Selling & Leasing
• Sustainable Properties with Clean Energy, Water Use, & Waste Management
• Investments & Financing in Real Estate

The startups will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Early stage i.e., pre-seed or seed start-ups
• Focused on the abovementioned sub-sectors.

About to complete product and commence go-to-market or have already gone to market and wish to scale.

Abhijeet Pai, Co-Founder, Gruhas Proptech: "After the overwhelming support and success of the first cohort, we are excited to build on that momentum with our second cohort of proptech startups. We believe that these startups are at the forefront of the evolution with the rising demand for sustainable solutions, government initiatives, increasing investor interest, and technological advancements. We are excited to see new startups that are leveraging technology to solve some of the industry's most significant challenges.”

Rahul Talwar, Director, DLF Family Office: “After achieving a successful and thrilling Cohort 1, I am pleased to strengthen the partnership with Gruhas and Anthill for a second cohort! Through the second edition of Gruhas ASPIRE, we aim to empower startups that tackle climate change and drive sustainability, making a meaningful impact on the environment and the society at large.

Sailesh Sigatapu, Partner, Anthill Ventures: "We at Anthill have been bullish on the urban tech and proptech market for a few years now, with investments in this space already under our belt. Our market-access focused model has shown results, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Gruhas Proptech and DLF Family Office to help early stage proptech startups #ScaleWithSpeed.”

 

The Gruhas ASPIRE program has proven to be a resounding success, with the first edition showcasing some impressive success metrics. The program started with seven cohort startups, all of which successfully completed the program, achieving a 100% success rate. The program engaged with over 50 corporate partners and supported the companies in raising more than INR 22 Crore in capital, from the program as well as outside investors. The program is a unique initiative that presents a significant opportunity for early-stage sustainable proptech startups to scale their businesses and contribute to the revitalization of the real estate sector. Applications for the program will close on May 31st, 2023, and the selected startups will be announced shortly thereafter.

About Gruhas Proptech Fund:

Gruhas Proptech is a venture by the people behind Puzzolana and Zerodha. Gruhas focuses on Proptech, Metals, and Infrastructure. The acceptance of climate change, high debt, job dependency and suitability need urgent attention. Decarbonizing of the sector that accounts for around 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide (UNEP) is critical to achieve the Paris Agreement commitment and the United Nations Sustainable Developments Goals.

About DLF Family Office:

The DLF Family Office is one of the oldest family offices in the country. Established by the promoters of DLF Ltd, India's largest real estate company, the family office invests in equity through investments in public market funds, private market funds and direct investments in unlisted enterprises.

About Anthill Ventures:

Anthill Ventures is a global venture capital fund and speed scaling ecosystem that invests in bold entrepreneurs who are building the companies of tomorrow. With a focus on Healthcare, Mediatech, Urbantech and Consumer Lifestyle, Anthill provides targeted and timely interventions that drive transformational growth for early-stage startups. Our unique approach helps companies #ScaleWithSpeed, allowing them to reach stronger growth trajectories and unlock their full potential.

Scaling Program for Sustainable Proptech Startups Launched by Gruhas Proptech, Anthill Ventures and DLF Family Office

 

The 6-month long scaling program will champion transformational solutions in sustainability for the real-estate sector.

The program will make strategic investments in each of the selected startups.

Gruhas Proptech today announced a call for applications for Gruhas ASPIRE: Accelerating Sustainable Proptech in Real Estate, a 6-month scaling program for early-stage Proptech startups, powered by Anthill Ventures and in partnership with the DLF Family Office.

The Gruhas ASPIRE scaling program follows closely on the heels of the announcement of the Gruhas Proptech $100m fund made last year, which is slated to go live in the first quarter of FY (Financial Year) 22-23.

The program will thus invest and scale companies in the following sub-sectors:

• Construction Management, with a focus on technologies that enhance productivity and reduce inefficiencies and waste
• Property & Asset Management, with a focus on cleanliness and sustainability in resource use
• New Materials and Technologies, with a focus on emissions-free materials and technologies in construction, and
• Investments and Financing, with a focus on democratizing and enabling access to property for all

The Gruhas ASPIRE program will make strategic investments in each startup, enable market access via India’s leading developers and property managers, and provide dedicated support in marketing, sales, product, team, and other business challenges. The program will ensure that cohort startups secure POCs (Proof of concepts) through a strong corporate network and raise capital via Anthill’s investor network as well as a demo day at the end of the program.

Applications for the program will close on May 30, post which the cohort startups will be announced. The program will commence in June this year and will end in November with a demo day allowing startups to pitch to investors for further fundraising.

Abhijeet Pai, Co-Founder, Gruhas Proptech said, “The Real Estate and infrastructure industry is poised for disruption given the positive outlook of demographic and governments towards housing, green energy, infrastructure, and sustainable living. At Gruhas we want to back thought leaders in the Proptech and sustainable domain that are looking to scale through innovation and out of box thinking. The infrastructure real estate industry is the world’s second largest industry however the Proptech disruptions have just begun globally and have received accelerated industry participation and acceptance due to the pandemic.”

Sailesh Sigatapu, Partner, Anthill Ventures said, “As we emerge in a post-COVID era, the Proptech sector is flooded with innovative technologies and investments, but it is important to supplement its growth with sustainability-focused initiatives. We are therefore happy to join hands with Gruhas and the DLF Family Office to launch this program. Gruhas ASPIRE is a significant expansion of Anthill’s commitment to support early-stage startups in sustainability and smart city technologies to scale with speed in India. We look forward to enabling scale for a new cohort of market-defining technologies in this space.”

Rahul Talwar, Director at DLF Family Office said, “Construction is the biggest industry in the world, it represents 13% of global GDP (Gross Domestic Product), but construction has only seen a productivity growth of 1% for the past two decades. To add to that, buildings and construction are responsible for 20.7% of global GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. I am happy to collaborate with Gruhas and Anthill and together assist the next wave of innovators to help solve the biggest challenges in decarbonising our planet and moving towards a more sustainable future."

The startups will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Early stage i.e., seed or pre-series A start-ups
• Focused on any of the following sub-sectors within Proptech including
1. Construction Management, 
2. Property & Asset Management,
3. New Materials and Technologies, and 
4. Investments and Financing
• Market need for their product or solution

Proptech is at an inflection point; despite the slowdowns caused by the pandemic, investments in this sector reached a record $551M in 2020. While historically the sector has been fragmented and employed traditional business practices, it is undergoing a revitalization with an influx of technologies like blockchain, AR/VR, IOT (Internet of Things), artificial intelligence, and robotics. Additionally, the sector’s contribution to climate change is high, with ~40% of all emissions attributed to construction and property management. Attitudes are changing and decarbonizing the sector is critical, with clean construction materials and technologies and sustainable asset management being a focus for developers and property managers.

About Gruhas Proptech:

Gruhas Proptech is a venture by the people behind Puzzolana and Zerodha. Gruhas focuses on Proptech, Metals, and Infrastructure. The acceptance of climate change, high debt, job dependency and suitability need urgent attention. Decarbonizing of the sector that accounts for around 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide (UNEP) is critical to achieve the Paris Agreement commitment and the United Nations Sustainable Developments Goals.

About Anthill Ventures:

Anthill Ventures is a global investment and scaling platform for early and growth stage startups in India and abroad. Anthill has presence in nine global hubs across the world, including offices in Singapore, Israel, USA, and India. Anthill is focusing on health and life sciences, media and entertainment, consumer lifestyle and urban technologies and sustainability. With a 3000+-strong global network of corporates, portfolio companies, and mentors, Anthill has successfully invested in and exited businesses across a range of industries and geographies.

About DLF Family Office:

The DLF Family Office is one of the oldest family offices in the country. Established by the promoters of DLF Ltd, India's largest real estate company, the family office invests in equity through investments in public market funds, private market funds and direct investments in unlisted enterprises.