The ZIA Zentraler Immobilien Ausschuss e.V. has, in cooperation with blackprint, a national innovation hub, switched its PropTech matchmaking to the AI platform KAIA. This system enables decision-makers in the construction and real estate industry to precisely formulate their requirements and receive suggestions for suitable PropTechs as solution providers and potential cooperation partners. The platform provides product information and facilitates direct contacts.
The implementation of KAIA transforms the previously form-based and partly analogue offering into a fully digital process. For ZIA member companies, this means a significant simplification in the search for suitable PropTech solutions. Instead of manually sifting through extensive lists of providers, users can enter their concerns in natural language, from individual keywords to detailed requirements.
Precise needs analysis and targeted solution proposals
The AI platform refines the stated needs through targeted follow-up questions and then provides suitable solution proposals. Examples include the search for software for consumption data collection and decarbonisation planning for special funds in the office sector, or an application for monitoring inspection deadlines in facility management for large property portfolios. This approach ensures a high relevance of the proposed PropTech providers.
PropTech members of the ZIA benefit from increased visibility. They are identified on the platform as association members under the label “ZIA-PropTech”, are given preferential treatment in search results, and are additionally available in a separate bundled overview. Already listed solution providers, including non-members, can verify their company account and independently maintain information on solutions, references, and product details. New PropTechs can register their company, including all offerings, on the platform.
Strategic relevance and market development
With AI-based matchmaking, ZIA and blackprint aim to simplify the search for qualified solution providers for the association's member companies and to accelerate access to collaborations. A special evaluation of the ZIA Real Estate Sentiment Index, conducted in collaboration with the German Economic Institute in 2025, shows that over two-thirds of large real estate companies are increasingly entering into collaborations with PropTechs.
- —Greater data transparency
- —Decarbonisation of existing properties
- —Rising regulatory requirements
- —Growth in operating costs
The Chief Executive of the ZIA, Aygül Özkan, emphasised in this context the necessity of quickly identifying and effectively deploying suitable tools for individual challenges. She explained that the real estate industry is facing significantly increased transformation tasks such as data transparency, decarbonisation, regulatory requirements, and operating costs. The solutions are often already available; the challenge lies in quickly finding and implementing the right tools. The ZIA is stepping in here to provide guidance and accelerate access to these solutions.
