The proptech industry is undergoing a significant shift, moving beyond automation and administrative efficiency to focus on creativity and design. AI-powered proptech startups like Mattoboard are changing the way designers and architects interact with physical spaces. Mattoboard’s virtual material sampling technology uses high-resolution 3D renderings to simulate texture, light, gloss, and depth with photorealistic accuracy, eliminating the need for physical samples.
The Rise of Proptech AI in Design
Investors have taken notice of this trend, with venture capital investment in proptech reaching $15.1 billion in 2024. Mattoboard recently raised a $2 million seed round led by Acrobator Ventures, with participation from Masco and Home Depot. The company’s platform blends AI-powered material discovery with a high-fidelity digital catalog, allowing designers to move from idea to client-ready presentation with greater speed and flexibility.
Enhancing the Visual Experience
According to Mattoboard CEO and co-founder Guy Ailion, a trained architect with over 20 years of experience, physical sampling slows down the design process. “Physical sampling slows down the whole industry,” Ailion said. “It makes it frustrating to gather palettes, present them to clients, and pivot when preferences change. We needed a virtual library.” Mattoboard’s technology is designed to address this challenge, providing a digital platform that simulates the look and feel of different materials.
Democratizing Design
The impact of proptech AI extends beyond the design community. Platforms like Canva, known for democratizing graphic design, are being adopted by real estate agents, interior designers, and property marketers. Canva’s intuitive interface and collaborative features enable users to create everything from mood boards to listing visuals and pitch decks. This trend reflects a broader movement in proptech AI: empowering users with minimal technical knowledge to engage in sophisticated design workflows.
The Future of Design
As proptech AI continues to evolve, it is likely to redefine who participates in the creative process, extending it beyond professionals to real estate agents, homeowners, and developers. With the ability to visualize spaces in real time and adjust materials, colors, and lighting instantly based on client feedback, designers and architects will be able to bring their ideas to life more quickly and vividly than ever before. This shift has significant implications for the industry, particularly as millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize personalization and design flexibility, account for 60% of home buyers.
