Startup accelerator and early-stage investor Startup Wise Guys has launched two new strategic verticals - proptech and web3 - in response to the rapidly changing needs of founders and the startup ecosystem. Both are now open for applications from founders, with accelerator programs expected to start from the end of 2023. The launches extend the accelerator’s existing verticalisation strategy to address the increasing demand from founders for specialised support and resources tailored to the unique requirements of startups in specific business niches. As well as leveraging its experience with existing proptech1 and web32 startups, Startup Wise Guys is also investing in new partnerships and specialist senior executive resource.  

In proptech, where global investment is expected to reach $94 billion by 2030, within a construction market valued at $14.4 trillion by the same date. Startup Wise Guys is working with companies and founders making an impact in solving the problems of high energy usage, unaffordable housing, and labour shortages/low productivity. According to the European Commission, built assets alone contribute to 40% of the EU’s energy consumption, over 35% of its waste generation, and 50% of all extracted resources. Startup Wise Guys will focus on proptech and construction sector startups working in various domains such as Artificial Intelligence, sustainable development, IoT, the shared economy, SaaS, construction tech, Virtual Reality, materials science, robotics and drones. The proptech programme will be run from Marbella, Spain, at the recently launched co-working space, Pool Marbella. 

The web3 economy is projected to reach just under $83 billion in 2030 with enormous potential to bring positive societal and economic improvements from greater transparency, security, and efficiency. Startup Wise Guy’s web3 vertical will support early-stage startups building on blockchain technology, developing decentralised applications (dApps), and integrating emerging technologies like AI and machine learning into web3 solutions. The web3 programme will be based in Lisbon at Startup Lisboa. 

Startup Wise Guys’ expansion into proptech and web3 aligns with its overall long term strategy and vision. The accelerator began its journey toward verticalisation with the successful launch of fintech and cyber programs before the pandemic, followed by sustainability and extended reality (XR) programs. It has already run equity-free, pre-accelerator web3 programs and previously included proptech startups in its fintech vertical. The decision to introduce dedicated proptech and web3 verticals is the next step in this process, leveraging the company’s internal expertise and strategic partnerships with industry experts and organisations.

Cristobal Alonso, Global CEO at Startup Wise Guys, said: "Startup Wise Guys’ two latest verticals have the potential to reshape the current startup landscape. Proptech, with its emphasis on sustainability, energy transition, and net zero development, will revolutionise the global construction industry. Web3, with its decentralised and blockchain-based solutions, opens up new huge possibilities in areas like DeFi, NFTs, and digital identity.

"The overall startup accelerator market is going through radical changes,” he continued”, “and we have observed that traditional, non-specialized programs are becoming less relevant for founders. By continuing to verticalise our accelerator programs, we aim to meet the demands of our customers and adapt to the evolving market reality."

The implementation timeline for these new verticals is already underway. Startup Wise Guys has commenced the scouting process, which will run throughout the summer of 2023. The proptech and web3 accelerator programs are expected to start at the end of 2023 and into early 2024. As with all Startup Wise Guys verticals, the organisation is committed to long-term support, ensuring the success and growth of the participating startups.

To attract startups to these new verticals, Startup Wise Guys will leverage its strong reputation and network in the startup ecosystem. The organisation has a track record of supporting and nurturing early-stage ventures, providing them with the necessary resources, mentorship, and access to investors.

Startup Wise Guys has also forged key partnerships to bolster the new verticals. For web3, it is co-investing with web3 specialist VC 3Comma Capital, while a new General Partner with proptech expertise, Jourdan Alexander-Younis, has joined the team and is fundraising for a separate proptech fund. Alexander-Younis, originally from California, has been in the sector for 20+ years as a founder, TED speaker and thought leader.  

Jourdan Alexander-Younis comments: “I am an LP in one of the Startup Wise Guys funds and love the company’s forward-thinking, international, collegiate and professional culture. We gelled right from the first meeting. It’s also important that the proptech fund integrates with several other verticals within Startup Wise Guys, such as sustainability, SaaS and AR/VR, to deliver one of the most comprehensive, hands-on accelerator programmes in Europe. It helps deliver better outcomes for startups that choose the accelerator route, enabling us to double-down our investments in the most promising companies, minimising risk for our LPs while simultaneously increasing returns.”