Realogy Holdings Corp., a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services, announced that it is now accepting applications from entrepreneurs and early-stage technology companies to earn one of just 15 coveted invitations to the 2014 Realogy FWD Innovation Summit. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, June 17 at Realogy’s headquarters location in Madison, N.J.
According to the company, the Realogy FWD Innovation Summit is centered around a competition with a $25,000 cash prize for the company that presents the most innovative technology product or service designed for the real estate industry. The invitation-only event is designed to find and attract the best new technology products and services for Realogy’s franchise networks and company-owned residential real estate brokerages, which collectively operate approximately 13,700 offices with 247,700 independent sales associates doing business in 103 countries around the world.
“As the largest residential real estate franchisor in the world, we are continuously looking forward and focused on ways to benefit our franchisees and sales professionals to help them be more successful while simultaneously supporting innovation, new thinking and technology-driven business solutions,” said Alex Perriello, president and CEO of the Realogy Franchise Group.
“Last year, we were literally ‘floored’ by the industry response to the FWD event,” continued Perriello. “We had approximately 100 companies apply for 15 spots to present their innovative new technology products and services. Ultimately, we were so impressed with the quality of the companies that were selected to compete in 2013 that we initiated a number of new business relationships with FWD participants.”
In 2013, Floored, a New York City-based company that generates interactive 3D models of all types of real estate, emerged as the winner of the inaugural Realogy FWD Innovation Summit. Floored took top honors and the $25,000 Realogy FWD Innovation cash prize from among an impressive field of 15 emerging technology companies.
The runner-up was HomeZada, a company whose software helps homeowners organize and manage their home, and the other finalist was BuyerMLS, a real-time buyer marketplace for agents. A panel of judges selected the three finalists, and the winner was chosen by vote of the approximately 150 industry attendees at the event.
Companies interested in presenting at the 2014 Realogy FWD Innovation Summit (#RealogyFWD) should apply online via the event website, www.realogyfwd.com. The deadline for applications is April 17, 2014. Additional information is available on the event website, including a video about the event and a complete listing of the 2013 participants.
