Founders Factory, a global startup studio has joined hands with Germany-based Vonovia, Europe’s biggest housing company. The new venture studio will deliver tech innovations supporting the scaling and availability of affordable and climate-neutral housing. The partnership highlights the mission of meeting the growing demands of expanding built areas.
In the initial phase of the project, Vonovia will provide financial support and a strategic advantage. In return, the housing company receives minority shares in each startup.
Vonovia/Founders Factory venture studio
The new venture studio combines Vonovia’s data and insights as the largest residential company in Europe with Founders Factory’s track record of building climate tech, fintech and mission-led startups.
As a result, it presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to bring positive change in the DACH-region by tackling some of its biggest social, environmental and financial challenges, including climate change and shifting population demographics.
The Vonovia/Founders Factory venture studio will partner with ambitious entrepreneurs to create new property, finance and climate startups. Founders will work closely with both the companies to bridge the gap between the needs of the population and the spaces they inhabit and support the emergence of smart, connected cities.
This partnership will explore how frontier technologies, such as generative AI, digital twins, and intelligent infrastructure, can be applied to address the challenges and opportunities of modern urban living.
Portfolio of Founders Factory companies
Created by IPO-exited founders and operating globally, including London, New York, Berlin, Milan and Singapore, Founders Factory offers founders capital, operational support from a team of hands-on experts, and unrivalled access to a coalition of industry leading corporate partners.
Its Venture Studio co-founds businesses from inception, developing new ideas, technologies and business models into high growth companies.
Previous Founders Factory venture studio companies that have taken on the biggest environmental, social, and financial issues associated with the property space include BuiltAI, Materials Nexus, Tembo, Furbnow, Acre, Hammock and EcoNest.
Since its inception in 2015, Founders Factory has supported over 300 companies. Its portfolio companies have raised over $1 billion follow-on funding from investors.
Providing homes for people
Led by Rolf Buch and based in Bochum, Germany, Vonovia provides a home for over one million people. The company is involved in finding answers to the current challenges on the housing market.
It is committed to greater climate protection, increased age-appropriate housing, and good co-existence in neighborhoods. In co-operation with social organisations and the districts, Vonovia supports social and cultural projects that enrich neighbourly community life.
Alexander Weihe, Head of Innovation and Business Building Vonovia SE said: “As the biggest housing company in Europe Vonovia’s strategy on sustainability and innovation has been setting standards in the property sector for several years. Vonovia aims to achieve a nearly climate neutral building stock by 2045 and affordable living remains a cornerstone of our activities. We therefore need the best innovations from startups to make our buildings and neighbourhoods sustainable and climate-neutral. The collaboration with Founders Factory will produce new solutions that our society urgently needs. We are opening up access to our expertise to support entrepreneurs who want to bring about positive change.”
Henry Lane Fox, Founders Factory CEO added: “Germany’s shifting population demographic, increasing urbanisation and climate change are challenges where innovation and entrepreneurship can be leveraged to find a solution. This mission is at the core of our partnership with Vonovia. We are excited to bring one of Europe’s largest property companies on board to provide data, insight and expertise that founders can access as they build new innovative, tech-driven ventures that meet the demands of future living.”
