UrbanTech News Roundup
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On Cities and Urban Tech Trends
More cities are adopting "Smart City" technologies, but the potential privacy issues are large and the gains in some places have been modest or non-existent, according to the New York Times.
The NYT writes about the f ear of many mid-sized cities that they will become the "next San Francisco" with a dwindling middle class, out of control housing prices, and a growing homeless population.
Amazon’s cashierless Go stores could be a $4 billion business by 2021, new research suggests.
The Real Deal looks at some of the mega-projects reshaping cities around the world.
5G is coming in 2019 and will affect how people use smartphones and other devices. Here's what you need to know.
Apple picked Austin for the site of its new $1 billion campus for 15,000 employees. The city has become a tech hub as a result of its friendly business climate (low taxes) and low cost of living.
Google's $1 billion expansion in NYC solidifies the city as one of the leading areas for tech in the United States.
More policymakers are exploring ways to address the links between homelessness and poor health.
How the founder of smart city startup Soofa thinks about data collection and ad supported city infrastructure.
On Real Estate Tech
The SoftBank Vision Fund lowered its investment in WeWork, putting into question whether the company is fundamentally a tech company or just a risky real estate play. Read about how the deal collapsed. The NYT writes about why some venture investors are ready for valuation dips.
Zillow is expanding its home buying program (Zillow Offers) to California. The program lets sellers take an instant home buying offer from Zillow, which then renovates and flips the home later.
A new iBuyer startup has entered the market, but this one is focusing on duplex and multifamily properties.
Co-living is a trend that is poised for even more growth. The model is gaining steam because of the affordability crisis and because it gives people a sense of community.
The Urban Land Institute on the real estate tech trends expected to shape cities in 2019 (view full report here).
Proptech and rent tech are poised to take off in 2019. Propmodo explains why.
On Construction Technology
Financial firms are so desperate to acquire homes to rent that they are not building single family rental properties from scratch. Many of these firms began acquiring homes during the financial crisis, when prices were low. Rising property prices have made bargains harder to find.
Startups are trying to solve the US housing crisis by completely changing the way we construct buildings.
Lighting control systems are significantly curbing energy costs, but the penetration of these technologies is relatively low.
Built World Fundraising News
Juniper Square raised $25 million in Series B funding. The startup streamlines back office operations for commercial real estate investors.
Bowery Valuation, a tech enabled appraisal firm, raised a $12M Series A.
Electric skateboard company Boosted raised $60M as people continue to seek alternative modes of transportation.
Real estate data firm ATTOm acquired by private equity firm.
Carson raised $3M from BuildingLink. The product allows property managers to operate unstaffed multifamily properties.
Block raised $4.5 million from NEA. The startup attempts to streamline small construction projects by allowing people to pick materials, design packages, and a contractor with one click.
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