The construction and real estate industry is undergoing radical change: digital platforms, AI-powered services, and proptechs are transforming business models that have remained stable for decades. Many start-ups are active in the BENELUX and DACH regions —and the major players are responding. Drees & Sommer, a consulting company specializing in construction, real estate, and infrastructure, is now focusing its startup activities on The Bau Ventures, a new early-stage investor for startups. The goal is to identify the most promising startups at an early stage and support them with Drees & Sommer's expertise.
Our customers expect solutions that deliver quick results – whether in terms of costs, revenues or sustainability. With The Bau Ventures, we can promote innovation in a targeted way and bring it to market,” says Steffen Szeidl, CEO of Drees & Sommer.
Three pillars for sustainable innovation
The Bau Ventures is based on three clearly defined pillars. The first pillar, Build First, involves developing and rapidly scaling of our own digital business models – from initial idea to market entry. The second pillar is Co-Creation, which includes early-stage investments in young companies that receive not only capital but also operational support in areas such as product development, technology, and market access. The third pillar is Strategic Investments, focusing on targeted investments in startups and funds that offer clear added value to both customers and Drees & Sommer. If development is successful, follow-up investments may also be considered..
Versatile added value: access to markets, projects, and technologies
The Bau Ventures focuses on PropTech, ConTech, energy, infrastructure, e-mobility, and urban resilience—closely linked to key technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, robotics, and digital twins. “The Bau Ventures not only provides startups with financial support, but also access to projects, markets, and expertise they could not achieve on their own,” emphasizes Sascha Hempel, partner at Drees & Sommer and chairman of the Digital Ventures Board. “Innovation is not a matter of chance, but the result of strategic partnerships, bold investments, and operational excellence. If you want to shape the future of the construction and real estate industry, you have to help develop it—and that's exactly where we come in."
First successful investments and co-creations by The Bau Ventures
Drees & Sommer and The Bau Ventures are sending a strong signal by joining the European early-stage fund PT1 as limited partners. The fund invests in technologies related to clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, and the digital transformation of the built environment. With a follow-up investment, The Bau Ventures is also continuing to support smart building specialist aedifion, which develops innovative solutions for improving the CO2 profile of existing and new buildings.
“By promoting innovation and combining it with our expertise, we create solutions that offer our customers real added value and drive the industry forward sustainably,” concludes Drees & Sommer CEO Marc Schömbs.
About The Bau Ventures
The Bau Ventures GmbH is a venture studio and early-stage investor. We invest in and build solutions for the digital and sustainable transformation of the built environment – from PropTech and ConTech to energy and infrastructure – and accelerate product development, piloting, and scaling together with strong partners.