Built Environment

Based on analysis from our latest research, Startups in Smart Buildings 2025, we examine M&A activity in the commercial buildings startups space. PitchBook has reported that M&A activity across all sectors in 2024 increased by 14% in volume and 19% in value YoY. In fact, deal activity reached its highest annual count ever, finishing with […]

In this Research Note, we examine the possibility of Autodesk, the $5.5 billion architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) software giant acquiring Eptura, the IWMS player formed in October 2022 from the merger of 10 separate workplace software brands. We review the relationship between the two companies, highlight Autodesk’s strategy to extend its portfolio into building […]

What would it mean for the real estate industry if we could visit our facilities before they’re built? If we could walk around a virtual building to better understand the space and test how various systems work in real-time, before making adjustments. If we could take owners and investors on a tour of their future […]

The global smart buildings landscape is heavily populated with new entrants, according to our new research, which identified 1,221 startups founded in the last ten years that serve the management and operations phase of commercial real estate. In total 35% of startups have been acquired since 2013, and 6% are closed or inactive. Funding for […]

The artificial intelligence (AI) landscape in commercial buildings is rapidly evolving. Significant growth in the number and size of companies offering AI-enabled products and services in commercial real estate has been growing around the world in recent years. The private sector has seen a sharp rise in AI development and with that, the number of […]

In this Research Note, we explore one of China’s emerging startups in the smart buildings space. Incubated by Arup and with seed investment from Venturous Group, Neuron Digital is gaining momentum as it meets Hong Kong’s demand for building digitalization. Neuron Digital Established Neuron Digital is a joint venture between Arup, a leading built environment […]

In this Research Note, we examine the recent Triton announcement of a merger between its portfolio companies, Assemblin and Caverion to create a Northern European technical building installation and services group “providing the most comprehensive and cutting-edge solutions across the full lifecycle of the built environment”. We highlight the strategic rationale of the Caverion acquisition, […]