Building automation leader Honeywell launches second cohort of PropTech Hub with YBF Sydney
YBF Sydney announced today the continuation of its PropTech Hub collaboration with Honeywell to redefine the property landscape and to shape the future of innovation in the building automation industry.
The hub acts as a source of customer engagement for Honeywell, whose investment further supports its positioning as the building platform provider for critical buildings and infrastructure such as airports, data centres, healthcare facilities and education.
The hub creates unique ways to address unmet customer challenges with innovative solutions through collaboration with Honeywell User Experience, Honeywell Building Technologies and tech-focussed startups.
The second cohort of the PropTech Hub welcomes AerVision Technologies to the program, which will be joining cohort one startups, Nube iO and Calumino. AerVision develops innovative solutions for enhanced safety and security using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, computer vision, biometrics, Internet of Things (IoT) and video analytics.
Wayne Kent, general manager of services for Honeywell Building Solutions, Asia Pacific said, “Now more than ever it is critical to leverage technology to create safer and healthier spaces for all Australians to work and play. As people return to buildings, there is great opportunity to deploy innovative solutions to help reassure people that places are safer than before.”
Abbas Bigdeli, CEO at AerVision said, “We are honoured and excited to be accepted to this program by YBF and Honeywell. We strongly believe innovation can flourish in such environments where technology breakthroughs meet user requirements. Having direct access to solution architects and account managers in an organisation of Honeywell’s calibre will help us validate our technology and scale our offerings. We are looking forward to working with the other innovative companies within the cohort to break new barriers.”
The startups in the first hub were collocated with key team members from Honeywell and immersed within YBF’s renowned and collaborative tech community. The startups were charged with addressing a broad array of challenges across critical environments to complement Honeywell’s expertise in software and solution development.
During their time at the hub, smart-building startup, Nube iO successfully deployed IoT controls for buildings across Sydney and worked with Honeywell on a project at the iconic Australian National Maritime Museum.
Of the first cohort, Matthew Cady of Nube iO said, “Nube iO has thoroughly enjoyed being a cohort in YBF and Honeywell’s PropTech Hub, and we are eager to continue the collaboration. We have been lucky to work one-on-one with Honeywell sales, marketing and technical teams, which has given our staff the unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading manufacturers in the building automation and smart building space.”
Calumino, which specialise in thermal sensor technology and supporting Artificial Intelligence (AI) computer vision, pivoted their core product in response to current needs, creating a mass-deployable, plug-and-play temperature screening device.
Caluminos’ Matthew Horgan said of their experience in the first cohort, “The PropTech Hub provided us with a direct link to one of the largest players in the game – Honeywell. The space at YBF Sydney provides an open and convenient platform for collaboration. As a direct result of YBF’s platform, Calumino has formed a valuable connection with Honeywell and one that will continue to grow into the future.
“We have just begun to scratch the surface with Honeywell. Calumino and Honeywell will be undertaking some interesting proof-of-concept projects soon, which address several of their customers key problems, such as reliable occupancy sensing and real-time fall-detection for the elderly.”
YBF Ventures’ CEO, Farley Blackman said, “We look forward to working again with both Nube iO and Calumino and are excited to welcome AerVision Technologies to the second PropTech Hub cohort at YBF Sydney.
“Innovation is more important than ever for Australia’s economy and our shared hub with Honeywell is addressing much-needed advancements in technology around the built environment as well as spurring job growth.”
Last August, Honeywell and YBF Sydney announced the launch of the PropTech Hub. The bespoke hub, designed and developed by YBF, is nested within YBF Sydney at 155 Clarence Street in the CBD.
Visit the PropTech Hub website: https://ybfventures.com/proptech/
Photograph of YBF’s CEO, Farley Blackman: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10rupA7Abkva6XiLhko5T-x8W2G3uo5V8/view?usp=sharing
YBF VENTURES
YBF Ventures is Australia’s flagship tech and innovation hub. YBF has focused on advancing Australia’s technology-focused entrepreneurial ecosystem, initially from its iconic premises in the Melbourne CBD — the former York Butter Factory, from which ‘YBF’ stems. Today it has locations in both Melbourne and Sydney. YBF is home to 100s of job-creating startups and works in partnership with ASX 200 and Fortune 1000 corporates as well as Australia’s globally-renowned academic and research institutions.
