Voices of PropTech Podcast

Voices of PropTech Episode 2 Recap: Scott Evans on The Importance of a Data and User-Centric Approach to PropTech

Welcome to the second episode of Voices of PropTech, where we bring you insights from the most influential minds in the industry. In this episode, our CEO and Co-founder, Emiel Bril sits down with Scott Evans, Founder and Managing Partner at TechTechGroup. 


With a career that began at UPS, Scott has held leadership roles at Sotheby’s, Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch before becoming the Chief Digital Officer at Related Companies. Today, he advises leading tech firms such as HILO, Venn, Revere CRE, and Skyline Robotics, helping to drive innovation in real estate.


🎧 Catch the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Or, keep reading for the key takeaways from our conversation with Scott.

The Power of an Outsider’s Perspective

Scott Evans never set out to be a real estate insider - and that’s precisely what makes his perspective invaluable. Coming from industries as diverse as logistics, luxury fashion, and eCommerce, he approaches PropTech with a refreshingly objective lens. As he puts it, real estate is still lagging in its digital potential, largely because it hasn’t embraced technology the way other industries have.


In this conversation with Emiel, Scott shared his take on why real estate must evolve beyond its traditional ways and how founders, investors, and executives can bridge the gap between technology and user experience.

Data is the Ultimate Differentiator

One of Scott’s core convictions is that understanding data means understanding the customer. He challenges PropTech founders with a simple but profound question: What two or three data sets do you not have today that would dramatically improve your product’s impact? The ability to capture and harness data is no longer a competitive advantage - it’s table stakes.


Yet, real estate companies often fail to recognize that their most valuable asset isn’t just the properties they manage, but the data those properties generate. Scott argues that property managers and landlords must shift their focus from asset managers (who make the purchasing decisions) to the end users (who determine a product’s actual success).

The PropTech Pitfall: Building for the Wrong User

One of the biggest mistakes Scott sees in PropTech is companies designing solutions for the people signing the contracts rather than those actually using the software. Too often, startups pour resources into solving problems for asset managers when the real measure of success is user adoption.


Scott points to one critical, but frequently overlooked, factor: user experience (UX). “Every app people use in their daily lives has great UX—personalized, intuitive, seamless,” he explains. “Why should PropTech be any different?” Many real estate apps fail to meet these expectations, leading to poor adoption rates, disengaged users, and ultimately, stalled growth.

The Path Forward: Community Over Assets

For PropTech to realize its full potential, Scott emphasizes the importance of thinking beyond individual buildings and instead focusing on the communities they serve. Successful PropTech solutions must create seamless experiences that integrate not just with a single asset, but with the surrounding environment—connecting tenants to services, businesses, and amenities that enhance their daily lives.

A Call to Action for PropTech Founders and Real Estate Leaders

Scott’s advice to PropTech founders?

  • Obsess over data. Know what information you’re missing and find partners who can help you fill those gaps.
  • Prioritize UX. If your software isn’t intuitive and engaging, adoption will suffer—no matter how powerful the backend is.
  • Look beyond real estate for inspiration. The best ideas often come from adjacent industries, whether retail, logistics, or finance.


For real estate leaders, Scott’s message is equally clear: Shift your mindset from cost control to value creation. Invest in technology not just to reduce expenses, but to enhance tenant experiences, drive new revenue streams, and future-proof your business.


As Scott puts it, “Where you start is not where you’re going to end—so long as you’re willing to go on the journey.”


For those ready to embrace change, the future of PropTech isn’t just about software - it’s about creating smarter, more connected communities that redefine the way people interact with real estate.


In case you missed the first episode with Courtney Cooper, catch the key highlights and summary of the conversation in our recent blog

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