(Left to right) Ping An Urban Tech Chief Technology Officer, Mr Wei Baisong, Swire Properties Chief Executive, Guy Bradley and JLL Chief Executive Officer, Greater China, Mr KK Fung, jointly announced the launch of UrbanLab on 19th July.

July saw the launch of UrbanLab, Mainland China’s first corporate accelerator programme focusing on property technology, or “PropTech”. UrbanLab is a joint initiative by Swire Properties, real estate and investment management specialist, JLL, and Ping An Urban Tech, a subsidiary of China’s largest insurance group. During the three-month programme, between six and a dozen mature PropTech start-up companies will be selected to test and refine their products in a real-world environment at Swire Properties’ two large-scale Shanghai developments, HKRI Taikoo Hui and Taikoo Li Qiantan, as well as at JLL and Ping An Urban Tech projects in Shanghai. The initiative aims to foster development of promising tech companies and create innovative solutions for China’s real estate industry. Targeted technology areas will include smart buildings, artificial intelligence and sustainability. Participants will be mentored by industry leaders, who will help them enhance their solutions and explore ways to scale up their products to regional and international levels. They will also have opportunities to connect with investors to discuss funding prospects.