Real Estate Symposium 2025

The Real Estate Council OfÌý Boston College (TREC), inÌýcollaboration with the Joseph E. Corcoran Center for Real Estate and Urban Action presents:

Applications and Implications of PropTech in 2025

March 21, 2025Ìý -Ìý 8:00 AM - 12:00 NoonÌýÌýÌý

Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA

Gasson Hall Room 100Ìý

WHAT IS PROPTECH:

Property technology, often abbreviated as PropTech, refers to the use of information technology and platform economics within the real estate industry.ÌýPropTech combines technological advancements to enhance how properties are bought, sold, managed, constructed, and experienced through cutting-edge software, AI solutions, and digital platforms.

Proptech Venture Capital Investment is on the rise. The Center for Real Estate Technology and Innovation’s Annual Venture Capital Report found that VC investment in Proptech reached $15.1 billion in 2024, a 32.5% year-over-year increase from 2023. Significant investments in the construction, multifamily, and residential sectors fueled the VC investment growth. Construction tech, (or contech), led with $4.5 billion. Meanwhile, residential garnered $3.6 billion in funding, multifamily gained $2.95 billion and the office sector saw $2.25 billion in funding. (Source Commercial Observer, CRETI.org)

Panel 1

Steve Weikal

Steve Weikal

Industry Chair
Real Estate Transformation Lab | MIT Center for Real Estate



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Steve Weikal

Steve Weikal

Industry Chair

Real Estate Transformation Lab | MIT Center for Real Estate

The MIT Real Estate Transformation Lab is a research initiative focused on leveraging data, technology, and innovative methodologies to analyze and improve real estate markets, urban development, and the built environment. The lab explores topics such as property valuation, market dynamics, sustainability, and the impact of emerging technologies on real estate decision-making. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, it aims to drive smarter, more efficient real estate strategies for investors, developers, and policymakers.

Steve Weikal is a lecturer, researcher, and thought leader focused on innovative new technologies and business models that are reinventing traditional ways of developing, transacting and managing real estate. He is the Industry Chair of the Real Estate Transformation Lab at the MIT Center for Real Estate, which explores how emerging technologies impact the commercial real estate industry, and is also the Managing Partner of MET Fund II, which invests in early-stage, MIT-connected start-ups focused on solutions for the coming Built Environment Transition. Previously, Steve was the Head of Industry Relations at the Center, responsible for managing relationships with its global network of corporate partners and more than 1,300 alumni from 48 countries.

Steve is a member of the CREtech Climate Leadership Board, the advisory board of Noa VC in London, and is on the review committee for the CoreNet Global Innovator Awards. He serves on the boards of eight real estate technology companies. An ardent industry advocate, Steve speaks regularly about real estate technology to corporate clients around the world, and at leading industry conferences including AFIRE, CCIM, CoreNet, NAIOP, and PERE. He has been quoted by numerous media outlets, including BuzzFeed, TechInsider, Medium, USA Today, CP Executive, Harvard Real Estate Review, the Boston Globe, IPE Real Assets Europe, and Anuario Inmobiliario LatinoAmerica.Ìý

Steve holds a Master’s of Science in Real Estate Development (MSRED) and Master’s in City Planning (MCP) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a law degree (JD) from Suffolk University Law School.

Parker Mundt

Parker Mundt

Partner, Head of Platform
Suffolk Technologies



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Parker Mundt

Parker Mundt

Partner, Head of Platform

Suffolk Technologies

Suffolk Technologies is the venture capital and innovation arm of Suffolk, a leading construction management firm. It invests in and supports startups that are revolutionizing the built environment through technology, with a focus on construction, real estate, and sustainability. By leveraging Suffolk’s industry expertise and network, Suffolk Technologies accelerates the adoption of cutting-edge solutions that improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the construction and real estate sectors.

Parker Mundt is Partner, Head of Platform at Suffolk Technologies, a venture capital platform funding the next generation of companies solving build environment challenges.

Since 2020, Parker has led Suffolk Technologies’ partnership program, which was designed to leverage Suffolk’s operational knowledge base and network and add value to Suffolk Technologies’ portfolio companies. Parker has led BOOST, Suffolk Technologies’ annual accelerator program, which has received over 750 applications (companies that applied have a focus on sustainability, AI, FinTech, Design Optimization, and Marketplaces) in just four years. The program is designed and operated with prominent industry partners emphasizing building sustained innovation within the construction and real estate industry.

Parker is an active participant in the construction technology and venture community. Internally, he has worked closely with Suffolk’s CoLabs, which are staffed, physical spaces found in 7 of Suffolk’s offices across the country and are responsible for onboarding, piloting, and scaling new construction techÌýsolutions through our projects. Suffolk’s CoLabs has piloted over 180 construction tech solutions, primarily sourced from our operational teams and the Suffolk Technologies team.

Before joining Suffolk Technologies, Parker worked in executive operations at Suffolk as Chief of Staff. While in his role as Chief of Staff, Parker worked with Suffolk’s Operational Excellence group, reporting directly to Suffolk’s CEO, and was responsible for driving best scheduling practices, safety, finance, andÌýcompliance across 85+ active projects in the country. He was also instrumental in restructuring the operational reporting structure, which included digitizing and visualizing specific key operational metrics that were adopted and used by operational executives to identify operational abnormalities and manage their projects.

Parker joined Suffolk as an engineer, a superintendent, and a project manager at the Encore Casino ($1.5B) in Boston, MA. While at the Encore Casino, he managed two critical path activities: mass excavating over 800,000 tons of contaminated soil and installing over 350 rock-anchored pilings, both finished ahead of schedule.

Parker holds a bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College, where he majored in Earth and Oceanographic Science and minored in the Chinese language. He was also elected captain of the varsity football team at Bowdoin College.

Riggs Kubiak

Riggs Kubiak

Moderator
Founder at Contest Point



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Riggs Kubiak

Riggs Kubiak

Moderator

Founder at Contest Point

Contest Point Ventures (CPVC) is a venture capital firm founded in 2024 by Riggs Kubiak.ÌýBased in Spring Lake, New Jersey, and Sandpoint, Idaho, CPVC invests in early-stage companies that are shaping the future landscape of technology, real estate, lifestyle, and innovation.ÌýThe firm emphasizes partnerships with visionary founders who are positively impacting the human physical experience and developing technologies aimed at reducing construction costs.ÌýCPVC offers access to an exclusive founder community and a strategic network of industry operators, including owners, contractors, architects, engineers, banking leaders, and academics, to accelerate progress and innovation within the built world.Ìý

Riggs grew up in Sandpoint, Idaho, and Spokane, Washington, before earning a finance degree from Boston College.

He began his career in commercial real estate, holding roles at Ernst & Young, Granite Partners, and Tishman Speyer. Drawing on this experience, he founded Honest Buildings, a construction technology company, where he served as Founder and CEO. Under his leadership, Honest Buildings grew from an initial concept to a 125-person company, securing over $50 million in funding from top-tier venture capital firms and global real estate developers. The company was later acquired by Procore, which has since become the world’s largest construction technology company following its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: PCOR).

Most recently, Riggs founded Contest Point, where he partners with entrepreneurs to invest in real estate, technology, and lifestyle ventures.

Panel 2

Josh Levy

Josh Levy

CEO and Co-Founder at
Document Crunch



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Josh Levy

Josh Levy

CEO and Co-Founder at

Document Crunch

Document Crunch is an AI-powered contract intelligence platform designed to simplify and streamline contract review in the construction and real estate industries. By leveraging advanced machine learning, Document Crunch quickly identifies critical contract provisions, highlights potential risks, and provides expert insights to help users make informed decisions. The platform enhances efficiency, reduces legal costs, and empowers teams to navigate complex contracts with confidence. Whether you're a contractor, developer, or legal professional, Document Crunch ensures you stay protected while focusing on what matters most—getting the job done.

Josh Levy is the CEO and co-founder of Document Crunch, the document compliance platform for construction. With a strong leadership background and expertise in construction law, Josh has worked for top-ranking construction firms, including JE Dunn, and overseen business units with annual revenues of $1+ billion.

Josh graduated with honors from the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. He also holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami, graduating with high honors.Ìý

Under Josh's leadership, Document Crunch is on a mission to empower everyone in the construction industry to know what’s in their contracts. With a focus on innovation and excellence, the company strives to make a positive impact and drive industry-wide improvements.

Aurimus Sabulis

Aurimus Sabulis

CEO at Dextall



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Aurimus Sabulis

Aurimus Sabulis

CEO at Dextall

Dextall is a technology-driven manufacturer revolutionizing the building industry with prefabricated exterior wall systems. By integrating sustainable materials, advanced automation, and modular design, Dextall delivers cost-effective, high-performance façades that accelerate construction timelines and reduce environmental impact. Its innovative solutions improve energy efficiency, streamline installation, and minimize labor-intensive processes, making it an ideal choice for developers, architects, and contractors seeking smarter, more sustainable building envelopes.

Aurimas Sabulis is a leader in construction technology, driving innovation towards sustainable and efficient building practices. With over 20 years of experience, he is the CEO of Dextall, where he has revolutionized the design process for mid and high-rise buildings, cutting design timelines by over 20 times and advancing sustainability goals in construction.

Previously, Sabulis founded and led INTUS Windows, a company providing energy-efficient window solutions for high-rise buildings. Under his leadership, INTUS became a trusted partner for major hotel brands and launched the 1-Window-1-Tree initiative, planting a tree for each window sold.

Sabulis is also an active member of the USGÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app and Passive House Institute, and has shared his insights at the House Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucus and AIA Convention. Outside of work, he is a competitive Ironman athlete, embodying the same determination and commitment to excellence in both his professional and athletic pursuits.

Ben Keller

Ben Keller

COO at Propexo



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Ben Keller

Ben Keller

COO at Propexo

Propexo is a Boston-based technology company specializing in unified APIs for the property management industry. Founded in 2020, Propexo streamlines the integration process by offering a single API that connects with leading property management systems, enabling technology vendors, property managers, and owners to integrate their products swiftly and efficiently.ÌýThis approach reduces development time and ongoing maintenance costs, allowing clients to focus on enhancing their core offerings.ÌýBacked by investors such as Prudence, Fifth Wall, and Y Combinator, Propexo continues to innovate in the proptech sector, aiming to simplify and accelerate software integrations across the industry.Ìý

Ben Keller is the co-founder and COO of Propexo, a YCombinator-backed company building innovative API solutions that modernize data accessibility in the real estate technology ecosystem. Prior to founding Propexo, Ben spent nearly a decade at HubSpot in various leadership roles, culminating as Senior Product Manager for their CRM platform where he led strategic product initiatives and cross-functional teams.

Ben's career bridges technology and real estate, having worked in commercial real estate investment at Stoltz Real Estate Partners where he conducted financial modeling and market analysis for multi-million dollar acquisitions. A Boston College alumnus (Class of 2014), Ben combines his deep understanding of SaaS product development with real estate industry expertise to solve complex integration challenges that have historically slowed innovation in property technology.

Chase Garbarino

Chase Garbarino

Co-Founder and CEO at HqO



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Chase Garbarino

Chase Garbarino

Co-Founder and CEO at HqO

HqO is a leading workplace experience platform designed to enhance tenant engagement and optimize building operations. Through its innovative technology, HqO connects landlords, property managers, and tenants, offering seamless access to amenities, events, and services that foster a vibrant workplace community. Trusted by top real estate firms, HqO transforms commercial properties into dynamic, people-centric environments.

Chase Garbarino is the co-founder and CEO of HqO. Previously, Chase was the co-founder and CEO of AmericanInno where he helped build a local media network for the innovation economies in over a dozen US cities. In 2012, the company was purchased by ACBJ, a subsidiary of Advance Publications.

Chase is an avid Boston sports fan and runner, as well as a washed-up college basketball player. He enjoys spending non-work time with his wife and sons. Chase holds a B.A. from Hamilton College.

Schedule

8 A.M

Gasson Commons

Boston College Women in Real Estate Breakfast (Invitation Only)

Registration/ Continent Breakfast

9 A.M

Welcome and Brief Remarks - TREC Co-Chair

9:15 A.M
Ìý

Panel I: Why care about PropTech now?

Moderator:

  • Riggs Kubiak, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 2003, Honest Buildings Founder (acquired by Procore, NYSE: PCOR), Investor at Contest Point Ventures

Panelists:

  • Heather Widman, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app 2001, Partner at Building VenturesÌý
  • Parker Mundt, Partner at Suffolk Technologies
  • Steve Weikal, Industry Chair at Real Estate Transformation Lab / MIT Center for Real Estate

Ìý

10:15 A.M

BREAK
10:30 A.MTREC Co-Chairs Honor Brian Dacey, Outgoing TREC Chair
10:45 A.M

Panel II: On the Front Lines ofÌý Technology Adoption

Moderator:

  • Ben Keller, CSOM '14, Co-Founder of Propexo

Panelists:

  • Aurimas Sabulis, Founder of Dextall
  • Josh Levy, CEO & Co-Founder of Document Crunch
12:15 PMAlumni and Undergraduate Students Networking Lunch (Invitation Only)