Cushman & Wakefield and Spire Ventures have formed a strategic partnership with Pi Labs, Europe’s first property-focused technology accelerator company.
Founded by Faisal Butt (founder and CEO of Spire Ventures) and Umesh Kumar (former Techstars and Oxygen Associate) Pi Labs was created to assist start-ups focused on property and technology innovation.
The programme will accelerate the growth of these companies by providing them with access to investment, mentoring and business space.
From October 2014, property start-ups will be able to apply to join the Pi Labs accelerator programme which will be located within ‘Second Home’, a new 20,000 sq ft space in Shoreditch. Founded by Rohan Silva, former adviser to David Cameron and chief architect of London’s Tech City initiative, Second Home will set new global standards in the provision of stimulating private and social workplace environments supporting collaboration and co-working amongst creative and technology businesses.
Through its partnership with Pi Labs, Cushman & Wakefield’s tech team led by Juliette Morgan will relocate to Second Home and become an integral part of the accelerator programme.
Butt says: “Pi Labs’ vision is to drive the next generation of technological innovation in the property sector. Through Pi Labs, we can empower prop-tech start-ups requiring space, access to capital and support and ultimately, help spawn the next wave of tech company success stories. We see Pi Labs as the platform that will create the next Zoopla, the next AirBnB and the next Nest.”
Digby Flower, UK chief executive at Cushman & Wakefield, says: “The convergence of property and technology will transform the way we and our clients operate in the future and the tech and creative industries driving this revolution can be found right on our doorstep in East London. As a leading property adviser to the tech and media sector in London and other global tech hubs, Cushman & Wakefield is committed to supporting and empowering the next generation of property and software businesses who will shape the future of our cities and buildings and the way we work, shop and live.
“Furthermore, our partnership with Pi Labs and being embedded at Second Home, puts us at the very core of London’s burgeoning tech sector and the collaboration and networking opportunities for us and our clients will be game-changing in our industry.”
