MetaProp's 2025 Accelerator Cohort Targets Urban Sustainability and Housing Crisis Solutions

In a significant move for the real estate technology sector, MetaProp has selected six PropTech startups for its 2025 Accelerator program at Columbia University, marking the program's tenth cohort. The startups, chosen from over 200 global applicants, are positioned to address pressing urban challenges including sustainability, housing accessibility, and construction financing.

The selected companies include BuildrFi, which focuses on construction financial workflows; Fram Energy, a solar deployment solution provider for rental properties; PopWheels, an urban mobility company developing e-bike battery swap networks; PropRise, offering AI-powered real estate tools; Ulama, which automates building permit compliance; and Wealthie, a home equity transformation platform.

The significance of this cohort extends beyond individual innovations. With graduates of previous MetaProp accelerator programs raising over $200 million in venture funding and achieving exits to industry leaders like JLL and Comcast, this new group represents potential solutions to critical urban challenges. Notable among these is Fram Energy's recent $500,000 Department of Energy grant and PopWheels' $2.7 million grant for charging cabinet installations in NYC affordable housing.

The timing of these selections is particularly relevant as cities like New York implement strict environmental regulations such as Local Law 97. The cohort's focus on decarbonization, solar energy, and construction technology aligns with urgent needs in urban development and sustainability. Their solutions could play a crucial role in helping real estate companies comply with new environmental standards while addressing the ongoing housing crisis.

The accelerator's track record and strategic partnerships with organizations like the New York City Economic Development Corporation and REBNY position these startups to significantly impact the real estate industry's technological transformation and urban sustainability efforts. Their success could influence how cities approach challenges in housing affordability, sustainable development, and urban mobility in the coming years.