The start-up Acquirepad wants to improve transaction processes for commercial real estate investors. A digital platform is designed to enable investors to carry out real estate transactions faster and more cost-efficiently. The core features are AI-based matchmaking and the digitalized workflow on the platform, which is geared towards the needs of professional investment managers. The idea for the project came from the founders Frederik Raspé, a graduate of the International School of Management (ISM), Viktor Weber and Manuel Derra. Thanks to the EXIST grant, the team has already been able to start putting its plans into practice and initiate transactions worth 30 million euros.
Acquirepad is currently the only online platform on the market where commercial owners can initiate the purchase and sale of properties digitally. The start-up solves a current problem: "Commercial transaction processes are complex, sometimes inefficient and based on a lot of manual work," explains Frederik Raspé.
What sets the platform apart from other services in particular is the use of machine learning and the absence of brokers. Users receive individualized recommendations that are adapted to their purchase profiles, shopping lists so to speak, or their usage behavior, as is already known from providers such as Netflix or Amazon. "In the long term, machine learning offers users the opportunity to find increasingly suitable investors for their properties," explains Prof. Dr. Maximilian Levasier, professor at the International School of Management Munich and mentor to the Acquirepad team.
Once investors and owners have come together on the platform, further steps such as signing confidentiality agreements, accessing a digital data room or submitting an offer can be taken. "With Acquirepad, all control over the buying and selling process is placed directly in the hands of the owners," says Prof. Dr. Levasier. This also makes commercial property owners less dependent on brokers. "This means that transactions between investors can be carried out more cost-effectively and more quickly," explains Viktor Weber.
Founder Frederik Raspé had already dealt with the topic of AI in the real estate industry in his Master's thesis in Real Estate Management. His time at the International School of Management was a good preparation for his start-up project, partly thanks to the support of the Entrepreneurship Institute @ ISM. "They supported us with organizational issues and also regularly challenged our approach, which is very valuable," emphasizes Manuel Derra.
In addition to receiving the EXIST grant, the start-up has already attracted over 100 family offices, private equity companies, investment and asset managers and project developers as users.
The EXIST start-up grant is awarded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection to innovative technology-oriented start-up projects or knowledge-based services. Start-up teams receive funding for a period of 12 months to prepare their business start-up.
Background:
The International School of Management (ISM) is a state-recognized, non-profit private university and is one of the leading private universities in Germany. At locations in Dortmund, Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart and Berlin, the next generation of managers for internationally oriented business enterprises is trained in compact and application-oriented courses of study. The range of courses includes full-time programs, part-time and dual study programs as well as completely digital distance learning. ISM regularly achieves top positions in university rankings thanks to its high teaching quality, internationality and practical relevance. The international network comprises around 190 partner universities.
