Proptech venture capital firm RET Ventures has launched a new program that will support early-stage startups building artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technologies. The initial cohort of the inaugural RET Ventures AI Accelerator Program will focus on leasing and marketing solutions for the rental housing sector.
According to the firm, the program will advance technologies that help rental owners improve visibility, discovery, and lead generation as renters turn to generative AI tools and large language model (LLM) platforms to find their next home.
The AI Accelerator Program is built to support companies developing the infrastructure and tools needed to navigate a leasing environment shaped by AI-powered search and recommendation systems as discovery moves beyond traditional SEO and listing sites. Early-stage companies will have access to hands-on mentorship, tools, and RET Ventures’ network of strategic real estate partners to strengthen their products and accelerate their go-to-market readiness.
“Generative AI is already changing how renters search for apartments, with LLMs increasingly influencing where and how demand shows up,” said partner Christopher Yip. “Multifamily owners and operators are feeling this shift in real time and are looking for practical ways to adapt. Through this accelerator, we’re working directly with startup founders who are building solutions that help properties perform better in this new landscape, establishing first-mover leadership in an emerging but critical category of leasing innovation.”
The first two participants of the program are LeasingAI and brightplace, with additional AI-focused leasing and marketing startups expected to join on a rolling basis.
LeasingAI is an AI optimization tool that helps maximize a property’s visibility across major generative AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini. Its data-intensive platform aids owners and operators in increasing visibility, improving identifiability, and optimizing for general engine optimization platforms.
“LeasingAI is redefining how properties compete and get discovered in an AI-driven search landscape. As renters increasingly turn to platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and others, we’re already working with leading operators across the market and are excited to partner with RET and its network to further accelerate this shift, ensuring properties are visible, accurately represented, and positioned to win in this new channel,” noted LeasingAI founder and CEO Gal Bahir.
Built by a small team of AI engineers,brightplace is building foundational data and a discovery infrastructure for a rental environment being shaped by AI-mediated search.
“Search is increasingly being replaced by AI-mediated discovery, and the multifamily industry has a real opportunity to get ahead of that shift,” said brightplace founder Brian Lichtenberger. “RET’s network puts us in direct partnership with the industry leaders who will shape how that transition unfolds.”
To learn more about the AI Accelerator Program or submit an application for candidacy, email accelerate@ret.vc.