Optiml, a digital platform for net-zero real estate investment and renovation planning, has closed $4 million in pre-seed extension funding.
Investment details
The round was led by BitStone Capital (which backed Plancraft recently) a specialist investor in real estate and construction technology companies, and supported by KOMPAS VC, an early-stage VC firm focused on the built environment, which invested in Again and Prewave.
Existing investors, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s VC Innovation Endeavors, and Planet A Ventures, also participated in this round.
The fresh capital will be used to accelerate the development of the solution and expand its team to serve the increasing customer demand in the DACH region, the UK, and beyond.
What role does it play?
Currently, there are stringent regulatory frameworks across Europe compelling action on CO2e reductions in real estate portfolios. There is no longer a debate for such proptech needs. This is where Optiml, an ETH Zurich spin-off revolutionises the decarbonisation of real estate with a scalable software solution.
Founded by Evan Petkov in Zurich, Optiml provides an AI-powered software that analyses any number of portfolio assets across the most relevant ESG and regulatory data points in minutes. This provides a tangible rating that real estate developers and asset managers can use to make smarter financial and sustainability decisions.
It is built on proprietary algorithms researched and validated over 5 years, leveraging AI to handle most complex datasets and requirements. Even with low data, the solution provides insights for portfolios and building assets such as indicative ESG due diligence, optimal decarbonisation and investment strategies. This goes beyond simple estimates and benchmarks as offered by other digital solutions.
The company has demonstrated strong market traction, having completed over 30 successful pilot projects with major industry players like AXA, Credit Suisse, and Grosvenor. It is now onboarding first large Asset Managers and Consultancies, some of which are already using the solution and offering it to their clients.
Commenting on the investment, Evan Petkov, CEO and Co-founder of Optiml, said: “It’s an exciting time at Optiml as we have grown out of the lab 2 years ago with the original founders to now nearly 20 people all focused on our vision to develop the new category of Real Estate Decision & Intelligence platforms – accelerating cost-effective Net Zero with data-driven investment strategies in sustainable buildings.”
Andreas Winter-Extra, Partner at Kompas VC said: “Our investment in Optiml reflects our commitment to back the most innovative companies that will decarbonise the built environment. The power to make effective decision making comes from truly understanding your data and buildings, and Optiml provides the real estate and construction sector with actionable insights to undertake renovation planning at scale.”
Manfred Heid, Managing Partner at BitStone Capital, noted: “BitStone Capital is excited to be invested in a solution for the real estate industry that has never been seen before. Optiml’s decarbonisation and renovation software not only serves as a critical tool for achieving Net Zero goals but also as a comprehensive asset management solution, driving portfolio strategies and planning while ensuring strong business returns.”
