Unstable Foundations event recap

When thinking about how JLL Spark differentiates itself from other investors in the field of built world technology, three aspects come to mind. The first is that, as part of a larger organization in the industry itself, we have an unmatched capability to capitalize on real expertise from practitioners. The second is that this same organization can and does act as a force multiplier for our startups, delivering distribution to our clients and our internal lines of business. The third is that as venture capitalists we know how to do deals. But how do we tell the world about our strengths? 

Enter October 7, 2025, on a clear fall day in San Francisco during SF Tech Week. JLL Spark and Goodwin Law hosted, with sponsorship from Andersen, an audience of almost 90 people, expertly curated to speak and network about some of the most pressing issues in our business at Unstable Foundations: An analysis of CRE’s relationship with tech. 

Kicking off the event was an assessment of where we stand in adoption today. rated by our panel as only four out of ten, a discussion on why that is: lack of skills, industry structure, fragmented solutions.  

Next up, Goodwin Law moderated a panel on Climate Tech, and how the current political and economic situation was affecting adoption, especially in the US. 

For the data panel, the Fisher Center for Real Estate at UC Berkeley drilled down into this most important of topics, noting both the huge amount of data available, but also the significant efforts needed to corral it in order to derive insight by powering the AI we are all excited by. 

In the robotics and AI panel, our assembled experts explained the current can’s and can not’s of Physical AI on the construction site. There is optimism for the likely progress ahead – definitely an area companies are exploring given the lack of labor availability. 

Finally, a fascinating panel on regulation highlighted an often overlooked factor in the length of time needed to put up a new building or achieve a change of purpose, especially in jurisdictions like California. 

Reflecting on the day it was clear that the combination of experts on the panel and in the audience contributed to a spirited and well-informed debate, moving ideas forward in a trusted environment, with no sales pitches or marketing needed, just the force of dialog between people steeped in the industry and its challenges. 

While we ponder where and when for the next Unstable Foundations event, let us know what you thought and what topics we should explore next: contact.spark@jll.com or Raj Singh on LinkedIn.

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