The 5 next big things in building and real estate technology for 2024

To be blunt, construction projects are a pain. Ongoing labor shortages, cash flow issues, poor communication, and a strained supply chain are all weighing on the industry and can set projects back months. There are also the issues of waste and environmental changes due to climate change to address. This year, our honorees are innovating with everything from helping renters build credit scores to reducing water waste.

Epic CleantecFor recycling onsite wastewater We recycle paper and plastic, why not water? Epic Cleantec’s OneWater system is an onsite water reuse solution that deploys into the built environment, allowing buildings to recycle up to 95% of their own wastewater onsite for reuse in non-potable applications, such as toilet flushing, cooling towers, and laundry. It could help save tens of millions of gallons of freshwater annually.

HouzzFor one-stop project lifecycle managementHouzz Pro is an AI-powered, cloud-based, comprehensive project management and design software for builders, contractors, and designers to help them win projects and collaborate. With the software, pros can handle their entire project lifecycle in one place, making it easy to manage projects from the field.

MycocycleFor breaking down construction wasteConstruction and development materials constitute a significant waste stream in America according to the EPA. Mycocycle uses a proprietary blend of fungi treatment to transform that waste into bio-based raw materials that can be reused. Mycocycle uses mycelium, a fungal root structure to create its treatment that breaks down waste and produces new raw material.

NileBuiltFor cutting out wood in home buildingNileBuilt developed a proprietary building system using a patented cementitious fiber-reinforced composite technology—all of which means it eliminated the use of wood. The noncombustible material is meant to mitigate wildfire risks and meets net-zero energy mandates. The components are also produced directly on construction sites, which cuts down on transportation emissions and costs.

RentRediFor empowering renters and simplifying the rental experience for landlordsOftentimes, property management software caters to either landlords or tenants. RentRedi works with both sides of the rental process, providing convenience and automation to make renting easy for everyone. Landlords can list and market properties, screen tenants, collect rent, organize accounting, and more. Renters can submit repair requests, sign leases, and report on-time rent payments to build and improve credit scores.

The companies behind these technologies are among the honorees in Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech awards for 2024. See a full list of all the winners across all categories and read more about the methodology behind the selection process.