The expanded program merges Inman's Best of Proptech and Best of AI honors into 25 categories recognizing the people and companies reshaping residential real estate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Inman, real estate's leading source of news for real estate agents, brokers, executives and technology leaders, today opened nominations for the 2026 Best of Proptech Awards. Nominations will be accepted Aug. 31 through Oct. 1, and winners will be announced Oct. 27.
For the first time, Inman has merged its Best of Proptech and Best of AI honors into a single program. The result is the industry's most complete recognition of property technology, with 25 categories spanning fintech, construction, transactions, AI and company impact, including seven new categories introduced this year.
The awards spotlight the founders, companies and investors changing how homes are built, financed, bought, sold and managed, from digital mortgages and modular construction to autonomous AI agents that carry a transaction from idea to close. Tom Bohn, CEO of Inman explained, "Technology and AI are changing every part of the real estate transaction. Bringing Best of Proptech and Best of AI together gives us a much clearer picture of the people and companies building what comes next. These awards are designed to recognize the products and leaders making a meaningful impact on the real estate industry."
Rather than one AI award, the program separates AI recognition by use case, with categories for autonomous workflows, valuation and decision tools, marketing and content creation, conversational AI, and responsible deployment.
The 2026 Best of Proptech Awards categories are:
Fintech, Ownership & Affordability
- Mortgage & Lending Innovation: digital mortgage origination, underwriting automation and lending infrastructure
- Alternative Homeownership & Equity Models: equity sharing, rent-to-own and co-ownership products
- Down Payment & Affordability Access Tools (new): down payment assistance, affordability calculators and access-focused fintech
- Housing Affordability Innovation (new): cost-reducing construction, alternative financing pathways and access models with measurable impact
- Venture Capital & Proptech Investment: investors and funds backing the next generation of proptech
Construction, Sustainability & Risk
- Housing & Construction Innovation: modular construction, advanced manufacturing and architectural technology
- Sustainability & Climate Resilience: green building, energy-efficient technology, resilient construction methods and climate risk and insurance tools
- Smart Building & PropTech Infrastructure: sensor-led automation, IoT and digital twin and virtual modeling technology
Transactions, Data & Operations
- Transaction & Brokerage Innovation: platforms modernizing the deal itself, from contract to close
- Title, Escrow & Closing Technology (new): digital closing, e-signature, title automation and escrow innovation
- Data & Intelligence Platforms: analytics, property intelligence and market data infrastructure
- SaaS & Agent Productivity Tools: CRM, marketing automation and day-to-day brokerage software
- Property Management & Multifamily Tech: leasing automation, tenant communication and maintenance workflow tools
- Consumer Experience & Marketplace Innovation: search, discovery and transaction experiences for the end consumer
- Cybersecurity & Data Protection in Real Estate (new): solutions protecting transaction data, consumer information and industry systems
AI-Specific Recognition
- Agentic AI & Autonomous Workflows: AI that completes multi-step tasks with minimal human handoff, including leasing bots and transaction paperwork agents
- AI-Powered Insights & Decision Tools: assistive AI for valuation, forecasting, lead scoring and underwriting support
- AI in Marketing & Content Creation: generative AI for listing copy, imagery, video and campaign production
- Conversational AI & Virtual Assistants (new): chatbots, voice AI and always-on assistants for consumers and agents
- Responsible & Ethical AI Award (new): transparency, fairness and responsible-use practices in AI deployment
People & Company Impact
- Proptech Founder/Visionary of the Year: entrepreneurs and thought leaders shaping the future of property technology
- AI Visionary of the Year: the individual behind the year's most consequential AI contribution to real estate
- Proptech Startup of the Year (new): recognition for an early-stage company, separate from the founder award
- Best AI-Native Startup: companies built AI-first from day one, not legacy tools adding AI features
- Best Overall Proptech + AI Company of the Year: the program's top honor, selected from the winners across all other categories
Nominations can be submitted at https://evgmedia.com/inman-awards/ through Oct. 1.
Since 1998, Inman has recognized the most deserving companies and individuals in real estate for their commitment to excellence and service. The Best of Proptech Awards join a slate of honors that includes the Inman Innovator Awards, the Golden I Club and the Power Player Awards.
Questions about Inman's real estate awards programs should be directed to [email protected].
About Inman
Inman is the leading source of news, insights, events and professional development in the real estate industry. For more than 30 years, Inman has informed, connected and inspired real estate professionals through trusted journalism, industry-leading events, expert analysis and a highly engaged professional community. Reaching more than one million real estate professionals, Inman's digital platforms, newsletters, conferences and live stages serve as a central hub for the industry's most important conversations, emerging trends and forward-thinking ideas. Flagship events include Blueprint, Inman Connect, and Social Summit. To purchase tickets for events, subscribe to Inman newsletters, or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit inman.com.
Media Contact
Holly Meyer Lucas, Inman News, 1 800-321-7888, [email protected], https://www.inman.com/
SOURCE Inman News
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