Global property consultancy Knight Frank today announced it is investing in venture capitalist Fifth Wall’s $100m European Real Estate Technology Fund (ERETF).

The Californian firm are hoping to accelerate innovation across European property sectors and replicate the success of its Fund I and Fund II, which were focused on investing primarily in US-based real estate technology start-ups.

Fifth Wall wants to bring this same level of engagement to the European market, connecting them as valuable solutions to some of the European real estate market’s most pressing challenges.

Alistair Elliott, Senior Partner & Group Chairman at Knight Frank, said: “I am delighted that the partnership has made a strategic decision to invest into Fifth Wall’s European Real Estate Technology Fund.

“The key objective being to insure we have active involvement in the ever-evolving proptech arena, whilst ensuring we are able to embrace initiatives to better improve our client service. This investment is particularly pertinent given our focus on shaping our firm’s future in its 125th year.”

Knight Frank’s investment in the Fifth Wall European Real Estate Technology Fund will provide the property consultancy with insights into future technology trends.

“The collision taking place between tech and real estate is complicated and Fifth Wall was founded with the intention of helping firms like Knight Frank define and accelerate their tech adoption strategy,” said Brendan Wallace, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Fifth Wall. 

“Since its inception in 2016, we’ve worked with North American, Asian and European real estate organisations to execute investments in, and structure partnerships with, category-leading technology companies to help ensure the ongoing health and growth of their businesses.

“We’re excited to welcome Knight Frank as a new member of Fifth Wall’s global consortium of more than 65 corporate real estate investors from 15 countries, and we’re eager to help Alistair and the Knight Frank team engage more fully with the European proptech ecosystem.”

Modern city buildings and connection grid. 3d rendering

Today’s announcement reaffirms the consultancy’s desire to influence the proptech space. Over the last five years it has bolstered its digital offering, ensuring it is at the forefront of innovation in real estate. Notably, the firm has made major investments into a new Data Centre team and Geospatial mapping capabilities, as well as several successful partnerships with promising international start-ups.

“We believe that the European proptech market is on the cusp of accelerated tech adoption, and we look forward to working with Knight Frank as it embraces this change,” added Roelof Opperman, Partner, Co-Head of Europe, Fifth Wall. 

“While developing a deep understanding of Knight Frank’s strategic priorities, we’ll also aim to facilitate connections for them with some of the most promising European proptech startups, resulting in both financially sound and strategically relevant outcomes.”