Called HW RETech:50, the awards program will highlight the fifty topmost real estate tech firms around the country, in a similar fashion to its current annual awards like the “Person of the Year” and “Influential Women in Housing” programs which take place on an annual basis.

Real estate tech firms will need to secure a nomination in order to be considered for the HW RETech:50 awards, before the winners are selected by a panel of real estate writers, editors and experts from HousingWire. The media company says that it will be accepting nominations from now until March 1, with winning companies being notified in May. The prize of recognition will include being featured in a profile in the June 2013 issue of HousingWire magazine, as well as recognition at the REX 2013 event held on June 2 to June 5 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Paul Jackson, CEO of HousingWire, said that there was a real need to highlight technological innovation in the real estate industry in order to sustain growth and evolution:

“The HW RETech:50 awards are designed to do just that, driving awareness and prestige to the firms tirelessly working to create the future of the real estate business,” states Jackson.

HousingWire’s expert panel will assess nominees based on several factors, including the impact that their technological innovations have had so far, their potential for future impact on the real estate market, the adoption of the technology, and several other areas.

Real estate professionals are invited to take part in the process by nominating the companies behind any innovative tech that has caught their interest over the last year. However, before you go racing to the nomination form, note that there are a few considerations:

1. Companies must offer technology that is primarily focused on the residential real estate industry – for professionals or consumers

2. Please try to include names and a biography of three key individuals at the company you nominate.

3. It does not matter how many years the firm in question has been in business – startups are more than welcome!

For a full list of the nomination criteria, visit the official HW RETech:50 awards website.

Pro

In public beta testing since mid-December, Idinaidi is squarely aimed at Russia’s vast housing market and the rapid adaptation of digital there too. For those unaware, Russia passed Germany as the most “wired” country in Europe. Experts project that the Russian Federation will have 100 million users by 2015. Stephen Inscoe, Founder and CEO of Idinaidi.ru, offered this comment via the company’s press:

“Idinaidi is the product of 2 years research and development involving over 900 people in 38 cities throughout Russia, and is the first site designed from the start as a national mass-market site.”

Con

From a practical standpoint, and looking at the startup’s website metrics, it seems highly unlikely more than a handful of users are engaged on the homepage of this site. Alexa rates the young site a PR2 at 2,259,902. No significant SEO seems to have been done, Alexa again shows only 2 sites linking in. The company has created a Twitter profile, but as yet there is little or no engagement. The same situation holds true for Facebook, no real endeavor to either brand or push social media. Even on VK, engagement is at a minimum.

Take Away

There’s no doubt the online real estate space for the Russian Federation and other Eastern European nations will expand rapidly in the months and years to come. Startups like Idinaidi can and will assist investors, agents, and all concerned by providing ease of access and good tools too. For very early stage startups, it should also be noted that having several pieces of the development puzzle lagging behind is normal too. Still, ramping up social media and marketing, along with core constituencies, is vital for what one could call any “killer” startup.

I will say this for Idinaidi, among the hundreds of Russian startups I have scrutinized these last 10 years, their’s is among the top 10 percent for understanding “at least” that there are many channels needed to drive business. Looking at how they have already embraced tablets… We’ll follow this one closely.

Coming January 16th – 18th to the Grand Hyatt New York, ICNY speakers and agenda will speak of things to come for 2013 – positive and negative trends, opportunities, technologies, and so forth. A short list of other speakers includes; Pamela Liebman, President & CEO,The Corcoran Group; Jon Steinberg, President and COO,BuzzFeed; Sherry Chris, President and CEO,Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC, and Rich Barton, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Zillow; Founder, Expedia.

To keep abreast of this version of “Connect” readers who use Twitter should follow the #ICNY. You can also follow Inman Connect at @InmanConnect as well as on Facebook. Those planning on attending should know Real Estate Connect’s reserved block of rooms at the Hyatt are sold out, but accommodations nearby may still be available at:

Roosevelt Hotel
Fitzpatrick Grand Central
Bedford Hotel
Library Hotel
New York Helmsley Hotel
Roger Smith Boutique Hotel