Perth-based property technology startup uDrew is following a clear roadmap to success, helped by winning multiple awards last month.
INGLEWOOD-BASED uDrew stood head and shoulders above the pack at the Proptech Association Australia’s annual awards, held in Sydney and streamed to Perth and Brisbane last month.
uDrew was named ‘best of the best’ in the scale-up category, was awarded ‘most innovative scale-up’ in the design and development category and received PropTech Hub WA’s members’ choice prize.
uDrew is a building technology platform that makes designing, planning and building your own projects faster and more affordable.
The platform lets builders and DIY homeowners create, edit and submit interactive and compliant building plans in minutes, and streamline council building approvals.
Proptech Association Australia is a member-based organisation working to grow Australia’s emerging proptech industry and accelerate the adoption of technology in the real estate value chain.
Organisers say the awards highlight the extraordinary ideas, passion and commitment that technology businesses are contributing to the real estate, property and construction sectors.
The awards’ judges said uDrew stood out for its interactive solutions that automated the design, planning and approval of residential building projects, producing certified and compliant plans in minutes.
They said uDrew had a deep understanding of its target market; had a very clear roadmap, investment and development strategy; created a relatable and user-friendly experience; and delivered ongoing collaboration with industry, end users and councils.
uDrew has been a local hero in the startup and technology industry in Perth.
It has previously been named WA innovator of the year, was the people’s choice at the Proptech Summit in 2018, and a finalist at the National Incite iAwards and Telstra Business Awards.
Founder Tom Young, a 40under40 winner in 2019, jokes that uDrew is now ‘officially’ a scale-up after its most recent achievement at the Proptech Awards.
“The 2021 Proptech Association Australia awards was a fantastic experience, and the team and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome,” Mr Young said.
“It’s opened the door for national collaboration, which is already leading to massive opportunities, and providing a national stage to showcase some really cool homegrown stuff coming out of Australia.”
uDrew is at a very exciting time, as the final puzzle pieces are being stitched together to release its first products within multiple government and construction industry niche areas.
It is currently collaborating with multiple governments around Australia, New Zealand and the US.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for governments across Australia and New Zealand to look for opportunities to reduce red tape and improve efficiencies,” Mr Young said.
“This has led to policy reform within the residential-building planning and development applications processes.
“The growing demand created from various economic stimulus programs has further emphasised uDrew’s value proposition, and it has emerged from the pandemic as global subject matter expert within the area.”
He said technology on its own could not deliver optimal results.
As such, uDrew pursued an engagement model based on the tenets of collaborate, co-innovate, co-invest, inherently facilitating an active and innovative ecosystem of contributors and benefactors.
Mr Young said this approach had been well received by a number of big global tech players, industry and governments, spurring some exciting conversations about the company’s future.
“At the end of the day, it is our goal to unite the building industry, by making a central platform that streamlines the entire building lifecycle process, from planning, design, engineering, approvals and beyond,” Mr Young told Business News.
He added that uDrew made the process easier, more affordable, quicker, safer, more accurate, environmentally friendly and fun, through the use of cutting-edge technology and by reimagining the way things are done.
uDrew has the product, the team, the game plan, the demand and consistent progression; 2021 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for the building technology company.
Some other notable WA companies that featured in the Proptech Awards 2021 included: Openn (finalist in the sales and marketing scale-up category); Vault RE (awarded most innovative scale-up, administration and operations); Hubble (most innovative startup, design and development); and Mortgage Mates (winner of the proptech for good award).
