We kick off our 2021 real estate tech entrepreneur interview series with Annelies Powell from Dreamspace, a New Zealand based startup.
Let’s get to it!
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Annelies Powell, CEO and co-founder of DreamSpace, an accelerator of vertical housing through rapid, repeatable, permits.
Our startup is working on the crux of the supply and demand housing crisis. We focus on permits as these are the key to rapid scalability of what gets built and where, and ultimately the experience of the occupants.
What problem does your product/service solve?
The housing industry keeps giving us ‘solutions’, but the reality is we all need to recalibrate our expectations on a home. Downgrade, downsize or move out of the city you love. The future of housing won’t be better than the past.
Or, at least that is what we’ve all been told.
DreamSpace thinks differently.
Our B2B2C solution will not only fundamentally change the way we scale vertical housing in cities, but will also vastly improve the outcomes. Our repeatable design and permits give way to unparalleled efficiencies so that we can give all occupants an affordable, 2000ft², spacious, private, home in the sky. It’s the future you didn’t imagine possible.
What are you most excited about right now?
Right now I’m most excited about the sales leads coming in. New Zealand (our test market) has a property market which is booming right now. People want a more convenient life, which DreamSpace is all about. I talk directly to each lead which has been invaluable to hear what users want their dream homes to be all about, their pain points, and what has them looking in the first place.
What’s next for you?
Right now we’re focusing on an early-stage capital raise. This is for our first permit and partnership with a construction company to get things built. It’s a steep learning curve and of course insanely satisfying to work on something we’re so passionate about.
What’s a cause you’re passionate about and why?
Without a doubt the prosperity of humanity working in harmony with this planet. To me, there’s no priority. I try to read books that open up my world view of people who’ve implemented large scale change for both humanity and the environment. Education, technology and the climate are some obvious themes. Naturally, these themes slip into my work, which feels like a good way to have a practical channel in taking action on bigger causes for concern in the world too.
Thanks to Annelies for sharing her story. If you’d like to connect, find her on LinkedIn here.
We’re constantly looking for great real estate tech entrepreneurs to feature. If that’s you, please read this post — then drop us a line (Community @ geekestatelabs dot com).