Real Futures: Catalyst Converge

Real Futures: Catalyst Converge is a rolling-cohort accelerator connecting PropTech, AI, and sustainability start-ups with real corporate pilots, investor networks, and hands-on mentorship, validated against PGIM’s live real estate portfolio. There’s no fixed start date and no generic curriculum. You join when you’re ready, and the support is built around your stage, not a calendar.

For Founders

Here’s what that support looks like once you’re in.

• Fundraise with intent

  Move beyond “investor-ready” decks. We work with you on fundraising strategy, positioning, and cap table design so you can raise with confidence.

• Run a real pilot

  Test your product against PGIM’s live real estate portfolio—not a sandbox. We manage delivery end-to-end so you can focus on proving value.

• Upgrade your technical edge

  Access focused, practical modules in AI/ML and sustainability, designed for founders who need traction, not theory.

• Get inside the room

  Engage directly in corporate procurement conversations that most early-stage founders never reach.

All of this runs through one rolling intake with three ways in, so wherever you are, there’s a clear path forward:

1. Community — for early-stage founders refining direction

   Expert matching, sector insights, and targeted workshops

2. Incubation — for teams validating a solution

   Technical and commercial support to get you pilot-ready

3. Acceleration — for companies ready to execute

   Corporate pilots, investor access, and structured scaling support

Who Should Apply? 

We are seeking high-potential start-ups and entrepreneurs who:

• Are innovating in sustainability, AI, and property technology
• Have a validated proof of concept or MVP
• Are looking for pilot opportunities with leading industry partners
• Are investment-ready or preparing to raise funding
• Align with our mission to drive impactful, scalable innovation

Most accelerators give you a cohort date and a generic curriculum. We give you a start date you choose, mentorship built around your stage, and real assets to prove your product against.

Join as a Mentor or Partner

Help Shape the Future of Sustainable Real Estate.

We are building a community where breakthrough research, ambitious founders, investors, and industry leaders come together to accelerate innovation in sustainable real estate and AI.

As a mentor or partner, you’ll play a pivotal role in helping early-stage ventures transform promising ideas into scalable businesses that deliver measurable environmental and commercial impact.

The Opportunity

The global sustainability technology market is projected to exceed $3.5 trillion by 2030, creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation and investment. Yet fewer than 10% of real estate start-ups secure institutional funding, often due to limited access to industry networks, commercial expertise, and strategic capital.

Our ecosystem bridges that gap by connecting high-potential ventures with the people, organisations, and resources they need to succeed. We serve as a deal-flow and innovation hub where research-led ideas can become market-ready solutions.

Opportunities for Investors and Venture Partners

Gain access to a curated pipeline of research-driven start-ups tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the built environment.

Partners benefit from:

• Early access to pre-vetted ventures with strong commercial potential
• High-quality deal flow focused on sustainability and AI
• Opportunities to support and invest in emerging technologies before they reach the wider market
• Connections with founders, researchers, and industry innovators

Opportunities for Corporate Partners

Work directly with the next generation of companies developing solutions for sustainable property, construction, and real estate.

Through partnership, you can:

• Access a pipeline of innovative technologies and ventures
• Explore pilot programmes and proof-of-concept opportunities
• Identify potential commercial partnerships and co-investment opportunities
• Engage with emerging solutions that can drive operational and sustainability outcomes

Opportunities for Academics and Researchers

We help translate world-class research into real-world impact.

By joining our network, researchers can:

• Commercialise research through venture creation and industry collaboration
• Work alongside experienced entrepreneurs and sector leaders
• Access interdisciplinary expertise across AI, sustainability, and the built environment
• Connect with the wider innovation ecosystem, including UCL’s AI research community and The Bartlett School of Architecture

Who We’re Looking For

We’re seeking experienced professionals who can support founders through mentorship, strategic guidance, and industry connections.

This includes:

• Specialist Consultants with expertise in sustainability, AI, real estate, or scaling ventures
• Experienced Founders who have built and grown successful businesses
• Business and Executive Coaches with a track record of supporting entrepreneurial growth
• Subject Matter Experts in areas such as investment, procurement, product-market fit, and commercial strategy

Get Involved 

We are actively welcoming mentors, investors, corporate partners, researchers, and start-ups into our growing ecosystem.

Whether you’re looking to invest in sustainability and AI-led innovation, mentor ambitious founders, explore commercial partnerships, or help shape the future of the built environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Together, we can accelerate innovation, unlock commercial opportunities, and build a more sustainable future.