Vonovia Joins ATechX Accelerator to Co‑Innovate Smart Living, Energy and IoT Solutions

Vonovia Joins ATechX Accelerator to Co‑Innovate Smart Living, Energy and IoT Solutions

(IN BRIEF) Vonovia SE has become a strategic partner of ATechX, Aroundtown’s accelerator that pairs startups with industry leaders to co-develop solutions for the real estate sector. Leveraging its management of over 500,000 apartments across Germany, Sweden and Austria, Vonovia will guide ventures focused on smart living, energy efficiency, digital communication, IoT, robotics and construction digitalization. The collaboration with peers like noa, Fifth Wall and Round Hill Capital aims to pilot new technologies in real-world residential environments. Vonovia’s Head of Corporate Development, Alexander Weihe, and Aroundtown CEO Barak Bar‑Hen emphasize the importance of practical validation to advance industry modernization and sustainable urban living.

(PRESS RELEASE) BOCHUM, 29-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Vonovia SE, Europe’s foremost residential real estate firm, has joined forces with ATechX—Aroundtown’s startup accelerator—as a strategic partner. This collaboration underscores Vonovia’s dedication to driving digital transformation and fostering sustainable innovation across the property sector.

ATechX unites leading industry stakeholders and early‑stage ventures to co-create solutions for pressing real‑world challenges in real estate. Alongside partners such as noa, Fifth Wall and Round Hill Capital, Vonovia will mentor and work with startups to refine and scale cutting‑edge technologies.

“Managing over half a million homes in Germany, Sweden and Austria gives us a unique vantage point on where innovation can make the greatest impact,” says Alexander Weihe, Head of Corporate Development at Vonovia. “By supporting ATechX startups, we’re committed to developing practical solutions—from smart living and IoT to energy efficiency and digital construction—that enhance our tenants’ quality of life and drive industry-wide modernization.”

Startups in the ATechX programme will tap into Vonovia’s operational expertise to pilot and validate their products in large‑scale residential settings.

Focus areas include:

• Smart Living & Digital Communication: Integrating connected home technologies to boost tenant convenience and engagement.
• Energy Efficiency & Sustainability: Advancing renewable energy integrations, building management systems, and resource‑saving applications.
• IoT & Robotics: Deploying sensor networks and automation to streamline maintenance and improve safety.
• Construction Digitalization: Modernizing planning and execution workflows through data‑driven tools.

“Vonovia’s participation brings invaluable market insight and hands‑on know‑how,” notes Barak Bar‑Hen, CEO of Aroundtown. “Innovations must prove their value in everyday operations. Together, we’ll shape the future of urban living and champion sustainable development.”

This partnership aligns with Vonovia’s broader strategy to invest in emerging technologies and collaboration models that deliver operational efficiencies and elevate living standards.

For more on Vonovia’s innovation initiatives, visit www.vonovia.com.

About Vonovia
Vonovia SE is Europe’s leading private residential real estate company. With 535,000 residential units in Germany, Sweden and Austria, the focus is on the development and rental of modern and energy-efficient housing. Vonovia focuses on sustainability as the core of its growth policy and offers tenants a home with a high quality of living and excellent service.

The Bochum based company has been listed on the stock exchange since 2013. Since September 2015 Vonovia has been a constituent in the DAX. Vonovia SE is also a constituent of additional national and international indices, including DAX 50 ESG, Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index, STOXX Global ESG Leaders, EURO STOXX ESG Leaders 50, FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Europe, and GPR 250 World. Vonovia has a workforce of approximately
12,300 employees.

www.vonovia.de

About ATechX
ATechX is a pioneering Proptech accelerator powered by Aroundtown, dedicated to supporting innovative founders. The program offers a focused, four-month journey, customized individually for each early-stage startup ready to scale disruptive solutions across the entire real estate lifecycle— from finance and design to leasing and operations—covering all asset classes including residential, commercial, and hospitality.

Startups gain exclusive access not only to Aroundtown’s extensive European portfolio but also to the valuable portfolios of Round Hill Capital and Vonovia. This provides a unique, real-world environment to validate and enhance their technologies. ATechX emphasizes execution, with a hands-on approach guided by seasoned real estate professionals from diverse disciplines. These experts help startups refine their market fit and sharpen their value proposition, ensuring practical, strategic growth.

The program is supported by leading industry players: Fifth Wall, noa,
Round Hill Capital, Vonovia

More info: www.atechx.de

About Aroundtown
Aroundtown is one of Europe’s largest real estate companies, M-Dax listed and focused on income generating quality properties that have potential for value-add in central locations mainly in Germany and the Netherlands. The portfolio comprises mainly office, residential and hotel properties. Hundreds of experienced employees from all areas of the value chain ensure that Aroundtown effectively realizes long-term potential. Professional organization, flexibility, innovation and extensive tenant services make Aroundtown a reliable partner for growth and success. Aroundtown is a sustainability leader in the European market with strong visibility in ESG indices such as Dow Jones Sustainability Index, Bloomberg Gender Equality Index and more. Aroundtown is a member of the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA), the German Property Federation (ZIA), the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), the UN Global Compact Network Germany as well as a signatory of the United Nations Charter of Diversity. Aroundtown has received multiple EPRA BPR Gold Awards and EPRA sBPR Gold Awards for its transparent financial and sustainability reporting. Avisco (controlled by Yakir Gabay) holds 15% in Aroundtown (date: 29.07.2022) and Stumpf Capital GmbH 10% (date: 13.11.2023). Other shareholders include Blackrock, Norges, Vanguard, Allianz, BNP Paribas, Japan’s Government investment fund, Alliance-Bernstein, Dekabank, State-Street, Bank of Montreal and manyother leading international investors. The main bond investors include ECB, GIC, Union Investment, DB, UBS, CS, M&G, Pictet, Credit Agricole and many other major institutional investors. www.aroundtown.de

Media Contacts:

Nina Henckel
Head of Corporate Media
Tel: +49 234 / 314 – 1909
nina.henckel@vonovia.de

Marc Friedrich
Press Officer & Senior
Communications Expert
Tel: +49 234 / 314 – 3074
marc.friedrich@vonovia.de

www.vonovia.de

SOURCE: Vonovia SE