Property investment startup PropHero promotes female C-suite to CEO

Digital property investment platform PropHero has appointed Sophie Hayek to the newly created role of CEO Australia. 

She joined the company in September 2022 as global chief operating officer. 

The proptech startup helps people find, purchase, and manage investment properties in Australia and Europe as a “next gen” buyer’s agent.

Hayek said they want to build a better way to invest in residential real estate by combining data and AI with human expertise.

“Our digital platform delivers data-driven insights and personalised recommendations straight into the palm of your hand, plus you also get to work with a personal property coach,” she said. 

“In 2022, the Australian residential property market fell by about 4%. However, PropHero’s clients enjoyed capital gains of some 13%. Our clients don’t hesitate to refer their friends and family and they also return to buy more than one property with us and build a portfolio. That’s the greatest recommendation they can provide us.” 

The proptech startup raised a $1.6M seed round in February 2022, backed by Global Founders Capital, AfterWork Ventures, Jelix Ventures, and The Fund. 

Eight months later, it raised $8 million in seed round led by real estate-focused VC Fifth Wall and European early-stage fund Samaipata. 

As Hayek leads the Australian business, cofounders Mickael Roger and Pablo Gil Brusola will focus on the platform’s global expansion.

PropHero currently operates in Spain and is exploring opportunities to expand further across Europe, South America, and Asia-Pacific regions.

Roger said that in 20 months since they launched in June 2021, PropHero has experienced rapid growth, especially offshore.

“More than half of our revenue now originates outside Australia, and on average, we are transacting a property a day,” he said. 

The company has just launched its track app, which enables clients to connect their property portfolio, including any property they own anywhere in the world, and understand its cash flows, valuation, and portfolio performance with personalised recommendations for wealth accumulation.

They currently have 45 employees and contractors across Australia, Spain, Argentina, India, and Indonesia, including 18 women – 40% of the company.