Early in his career, William Cowell de Gruchy noticed how inefficiencies and the lack of real-time data hindered effective decision making. This inspired Will to develop Infogrid, an AI-powered platform to gather and analyze data for healthy, efficient, and sustainable buildings.
Sustainability. Journey to Net Zero. Decarbonization. These buzz words are no longer just a trend, but are now necessities as businesses and consumers continue to explore innovative ways to reduce their environmental impact.
The investment team at JLL Spark recently determined sustainability as an underlying theme in each of our investment focus areas: ConTech, FinTech, Smart Buildings, Future of Work, and Industrial.
As JLL’s corporate venture arm, JLL Spark actively seeks to innovate and discover emerging technologies for our clients.
What benefits do PropTech startups gain when partnering with JLL Spark? Kelly Wong, our resident Innovation and Internal Partnerships Lead, describes the journey from investment to reseller relationship for our portfolio companies.
Artificial intelligence is at the forefront of conversations among the business world and commercial real estate is no exception. How much will AI impact real estate practices?
At JLL Spark, we see a huge opportunity to improve tenant experience for our clients with SwiftConnect’s mobile access technology. Integrated access control has been a focus for founder Matt Kopel since his earlier days as a law student.
How do employers create commute-worthy work environments while minimizing real estate costs? Meagan Riley, Growth Principal at JLL Spark, explains VergeSense’s smart building technology that enables company leaders to access accurate and comprehensive occupancy insights for critical CRE decisions.
Read more in VergeSense: Occupancy Intelligence for a True Understanding of the Workspace
PORTFOLIO COMPANY UPDATES
What’s new with our startups
The War for Tech Talent Isn’t Over. Here’s How to Win It in 2023
HqO shares four tips to attract and retain industry talent this year and beyond.
IN THE PRESS
Insights in the media from JLL
Is It Really Good to ChatGPT?
Laurent Grill, Partner at JLL Spark, discusses how generative AI can be a beneficial tool for the built world, but full potential is yet to be seen.
PROPTECH EVENTS
Connect with our team at the following events
Australian Prop Tech Summit 2023
Sydney, Australia | May 2-4, 2023
Carolyn Trickett is speaking on the latest investments from a VC perspective.
CREtech London
London, England | May 10-11, 2023
Raj Singh is speaking with Stephanie Hyde, CEO of JLL UK.
Andre Bothma and Tanguy Quero are attending.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Learn more about the current landscape of PropTech investing
5 Ways Tech Can Help Commercial Landlords Reduce Costs and Increase Profits
propmodo.com | April 13, 2023
GPT-7 Will Be Smarter Than We Are
globest.com | April 17, 2023
Proptech Spies Opportunity in Flex Space’s Hybrid-Driven Growth
commercialobserver.com | April 25, 2023
Why Developers Are Turning to AI to Deliver Complex Projects
commercialobserver.com | April 26, 2023
To learn more about JLL Spark, visit our website or email us at contact@spark.jll.com.
Interested in potential investment from JLL Spark? Apply here.
Smart buildings carry a host of definitions depending on the expected outcomes from tenants and landlords. At JLL Spark, we evaluate our clients’ challenges and analyze building data to customize their tech portfolios, producing results that surpass those of a general approach.
Andre Bothma, Growth Principal based in London, highlights these solutions in The Science of Smart Buildings: PropTech to Improve Workspaces.
PORTFOLIO COMPANY UPDATES
What’s new with our startups
BXP Unveils New Street-to-Seat Journey for Clients to Easily Access Buildings and Spaces with iPhone or Apple Watch
SwiftConnect partners with BXP to launch CRE’s first connected experience for building access systems.
Best Places to Work 2023
Dealpath is listed on Globe Street’s list of best CRE workplaces.
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY
New partnerships or follow-ons with our existing portfolio
ESG Building Intelligent Leader Infogrid Closes $90 Million Series B
The funding enables product enhancement, strategic hires, and customer acquisition at the heels of growth in 2022.
ALICE Technologies Extends Funding Series B Round to Access $47M in Capital
JLL Spark participates in the follow-on to enhance ALICE’s construction optioneering platform.
IN THE PRESS
Insights in the media from JLL
How to Invest in the Future of the Office: A View From Three Investors
Kitty Sullivan, Investment Principal at JLL Spark, weighs in on technology that helps manage the logistics of a hybrid workforce.
Data, Climate and Hybrid Work Transform Commercial Real Estate
Managing Partner Raj Singh discusses the future value of data generated from buildings.
Migration Out of Urban Cores Slowed in 2022
JLL research shows improved net migration rates for major markets.
PROPTECH EVENTS
Connect with our team at the following events
Australian Prop Tech Summit 2023
Sydney, Australia | May 2-4, 2023
Carolyn Trickett is speaking on technology to improve the commercial tenant experience.
CREtech London
London, England | May 10-11, 2023
Raj Singh is speaking with Stephanie Hyde, CEO of JLL UK.
Andre Bothma and Tanguy Quero are attending.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Learn more about the current landscape of PropTech investing
How AI is Helping PropTech Overtake FinTech Investment and Green in the Built World
tech.eu | April 4, 2023
Inside CRE’s Frustrating Battle to Reduce its Carbon Emissions – and Save Humanity
bisnow.com | April 6, 2023
Collaboration Has Driven Return to Office, But How Is It Measured?
propmodo.com | April 9, 2023
Real Estate is Just Not That Into the Metaverse… Yet
commercialobserver.com | April 11, 2023
To learn more about JLL Spark, visit our website or email us at contact@spark.jll.com.
Interested in potential investment from JLL Spark? Apply here.
Despite the recent banking issues, our portfolio companies are in good financial standings and business is moving in the right direction. Check out our latest updates and insights at the close of Q1 2023.
PORTFOLIO COMPANY UPDATES
What’s new with our startups
The 26 Hottest PropTech Startups of 2023, According to Venture Capitalists
Congratulations to our portfolio companies Dealpath and Juno for being named on this list!
Do You Have a True Understanding of Your Workplace?
VergeSense on the importance of understanding a workplace before making critical decisions around portfolio and space optimization.
INVESTMENT ACTIVITY
New partnerships or follow-ons with our existing portfolio
Shared Studios Announces an Investment from JLL Spark to Help Make Distance Irrelevant
The investment will enable our newest portfolio company to produce a digital conferencing solution for corporate offices and businesses.
IN THE PRESS
Insights in the media from JLL
Move Fast and Break Things
Ryan Severino, Senior Director of JLL Research, shares his insights on the recent banking issues as they relate to CRE.
Revamping Green Leases is Critical to Decarbonising
JLL’s new report: Green Leasing 2.0 to deliver shared ESG value for owners and occupiers.
PROPTECH EVENTS
Connect with our team at the following events
RETCON 2023
New York, NY | April 2-4, 2023
Laurent Grill, Daniel Correa, and Javier Araujo O’Neill will attend.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Learn more about the current landscape of PropTech investing
Proptech’s Hot Take on SVB’s Bank-Run-and-Done Shocker
commercialobserver.com | March 17, 2023
Gen Z is Coming for the Housing Market
businessinsider.com | March 21, 2023
Commercial Property Debt Creates More Bank Worries
wsj.com | March 21, 2023
The Metaverse is Quickly Turning into the Meh-taverse
wsj.com | March 29, 2023
To learn more about JLL Spark, visit our website or email us at contact@spark.jll.com.
Interested in potential investment from JLL Spark? Apply here.
