In an exciting partnership, German housing giant Vonovia and global venture studio Founders Factory have launched a new venture studio dedicated to developing innovative technologies for affordable and climate-neutral housing. This collaboration aims to revolutionize urban living by supporting the creation and growth of startups focused on property, finance, and climate solutions.
The venture studio will work with entrepreneurs to explore how cutting-edge technologies such as generative AI, digital twins, and intelligent infrastructure can address the challenges of modern urban environments. Vonovia, which provides housing for over one million people and has been listed on the stock exchange since 2013, brings substantial financial support and strategic insights to the table. In return, Vonovia will receive minority stakes in the startups created through this initiative.
Alexander Weihe, Head of Innovation and Business Building at Vonovia SE, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. "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 start-ups to make our buildings and neighborhoods sustainable and climate-neutral. The collaboration with Founders Factory will produce new solutions that our society urgently needs.”
Founders Factory, known for its successful venture studio companies such as BuiltAI, Materials Nexus, Tembo, Furbnow, Acre, Hammock, and EcoNest, has a proven track record in fostering innovation. Since its inception in 2015, Founders Factory’s 300+ portfolio companies have collectively raised over $1 billion in follow-on funding from leading investors.
Henry Lane Fox, CEO of Founders Factory, highlighted the strategic importance of this partnership. “Germany's shifting population demographic, increasing urbanization, and climate change are challenges where innovation and entrepreneurship can be leveraged to find a solution. 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.”
