Raya Yunakova is a seasoned early‑stage tech investor at LAUNCHub Ventures, with prior experience leading PropTech accelerator programs at Pi Labs in London and working in technical evangelism at Microsoft. She brings deep expertise in PropTech, AI, SaaS, and FinTech, and has backed numerous startups across Central and Eastern Europe.Raya: Unveils the layers of the PropTech landscape—from accelerator programs to investor decision-making, and how market dynamics shape early-stage deals.Decodes the complexity of AI-driven innovation in real estate: what it really takes to build scalable platforms and what AI tools are truly solving for building owners, developers, and investors.Builds clarity around the founder journey: transitioning from a coder or technical creator at Microsoft to a VC role, and how founders and investors manage uncertainty and growth in emerging ecosystems.Reasons to tune in:Get an insider look at how PropTech startups secure funding – Raya walks through how her team at LAUNCHub Ventures filters 10,000+ startups down to a few investments, and what traits turn a pitch into a partnership.Learn how AI and robotics are already changing buildings – From housekeeping bots in Airbnbs to software that automates architectural compliance, Raya gives grounded, real-world examples of innovation in action.Hear honest advice on what makes or breaks a founder – Raya reveals the biggest red flags in early-stage pitches, why “lack of capital” is never the real problem, and what smart founders do before asking for VC money.Chapters00:00 - 00:55 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:56 - 01:36 Raya Yunakova's Career Journey01:37 - 03:16 Founding an EdTech Startup03:17 - 04:38 Joining Microsoft and Encouraging Innovation04:39 - 05:06 Transition to Venture Capital05:07 - 06:57 Understanding PropTech06:58 - 12:10 Investing in PropTech Startups12:11 - 16:01 The Role of AI in Real Estate16:02 - 18:42 Challenges and Opportunities in PropTech18:43 - 24:30 Navigating the Investment Landscape24:31 - 26:11 Connecting with Investors26:12 - 26:55 Understanding Market Dynamics26:56 - 27:36 Investment Process and Client Engagement27:37 - 28:34 Investment Amounts and Fund Management28:35 - 31:30 Post-Investment Support and Expectations31:31 - 38:53 Challenges in Education Systems38:54 - 41:06 Future of Office Work41:07 - 44:52 Vision for Future Cities44:53 - 46:33 Investment Strategies and Co-Investing46:34 - 47:56 Innovative Ideas in Construction47:57 - 50:12 Closing Remarks and Future Guests

In this episode of DT Vector, we dive into the real estate capital markets across Central and Eastern Europe with Michal Soták, Partner and Head of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield, Czech Republic and Slovakia. From investor sentiment in 2025 to the return of offices, strategic fund flows, and the role of tech in asset management, Michal breaks down what’s driving investment activity and what’s ahead for PropTech and ConTech players.In this deep-dive conversation, Michal: - Unveils the layers of how the Czech capital is shaping pricing and liquidity across four countries. - Decodes the complexity of the investor psychology behind the return of the office market in 2025. - Builds clarity around the mismatch between PropTech ambition and adoption on the ground.3 reasons to tune in: - Understand the silent but massive influence Czech retail funds now have in Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia - Learn how yields are compressing and which "cool urban" submarkets are outperforming post-COVID - Hear why AI may succeed where earlier PropTech platforms failed — and what it means for construction techWhether you’re an investor, tech builder, or asset manager, this episode is your real-world guide to CEE's transformation.Chapters00:00 - 01:24 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:25 - 05:07 Real Estate Market Outlook in Central and Eastern Europe05:08 - 07:16 Investor Behavior and Market Dynamics07:17 - 16:04 Sector-Specific Insights: Offices, Retail, and Industrial16:05 - 22:06 The Role of Technology in Real Estate22:07 - 24:49 Fund Strategies and Capital Raising24:50 - 30:58 Market Risks and Personal Insights30:59 - 40:49 Future Trends and Advice for Young Professionals40:50 - 43:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

We sit down with Dirk Paelinck, Chairman of the European PropTech Association, serial entrepreneur, and one of the most influential figures shaping Europe’s real estate innovation landscape. With a seat at the table of the European Commission, the EIC, and the EIT, Dirk has been instrumental in bridging the gap between policy and PropTech, turning regulation into a launchpad for impact.In this wide-ranging conversation, Dirk:Unveils the layers of Europe's fragmented PropTech landscape and how it’s being restructured from the top down.Decodes the complexity of EU legislation (like SFDR, CSRD, and EPBD) and why regulation is the true driver of innovation.Builds clarity for founders, investors, and policymakers navigating a rapidly evolving real estate tech ecosystem.3 reasons to tune in:1. Learn why startups must understand policy to survive and scale in Europe's built environment2. Discover how EU funding bodies like EIC, EIT, and ESA are backing PropTech and ConTech innovation3. Get insider insights on what’s actually driving investment — and where the future of construction and sustainability is headedWhether you're a founder, policymaker, investor, or just PropTech-curious, this episode is your field guide to what’s next in European real estate innovation.Chapters00:00 - 01:14 Introduction and Background01:15 - 01:57 Formation of the European PropTech Association01:58 - 05:21 Legislation and Its Impact on PropTech05:22 - 10:17 Funding and Support for Startups10:18 - 18:19 Challenges and Opportunities in PropTech18:20 - 21:21 Market Trends and Future Outlook21:22 - 29:45 Global Perspectives and Comparisons29:46 - 31:48 Technological Innovations in PropTech31:49 - 32:36 AI in Real Estate Development32:37 - 33:36 Blockchain and the Real Estate Crisis33:37 - 35:23 Innovation Investment Disparities in Europe35:24 - 39:28 Standardization and Operating Systems in Real Estate39:29 - 42:56 Government Role in Real Estate Standards42:57 - 46:12 Challenges in PropTech Adoption46:13 - 49:51 Future of Real Estate and Innovation49:52 - 56:12 Affordable Housing and Renovation Wave56:13 - 58:42 Spreading the Word on PropTech58:43 - 59:58 Final Thoughts and Future Guests

Welcome to DT Vector – the podcast where the built world meets the future.Hosted by Eugen Ursu, co-founder of Graphein, DT Vector decodes complexity and builds clarity around how we design, build, finance, and operate spaces in a world shaped by AI, digital twins, BIM, sustainability, and global policy shifts.Born from the success of Graphein Talks, this is more than a podcast - it's a field trip across industries, continents, and ideas. We bring together developers, architects, investors, technologists, and policymakers to answer hard questions and spark real transformation.🎙️ Subscribe if you're ready to move beyond buzzwords, hear from global leaders, and stay two steps ahead in AEC and real estate.Plug in. Stay curious. Build the future.