Canada’s real estate market has been feeling the pressure—skyrocketing housing costs, increasing climate concerns, and the urgent need for smarter urban development.
In the middle of these challenges, one company is stepping up with bold ideas and the resources to back them.
R-LABS, a venture builder with offices in Toronto and Vancouver, has just secured $3.5 million CAD in funding to supercharge its mission.
Backing from Industry Giants Boosts R-LABS’ Ambitions
The latest funding round was led by Hatch, a major global player in engineering, project delivery, and consulting services.
They weren’t alone in spotting the potential—existing backers like Oxford Properties, Dorsay Development Corp, and LandSure Systems Ltd also joined in.
This fresh capital will help R-LABS grow its capacity to build more startups that tackle some of the most pressing issues in Canadian real estate.
Co-Creating Startups That Solve Real Problems
With this investment, R-LABS plans to deepen its work with entrepreneurs who are ready to take on complex sector-wide problems.
Their focus includes urgent areas like housing affordability, climate resilience, community development, and optimization of building performance.
By bringing together the right minds and industry support, R-LABS is carving out a space for innovation that delivers long-term impact.
Welcoming Hatch Into the R-LABS Ecosystem
The partnership with Hatch goes beyond money.
Hatch is now part of the growing R-LABS ecosystem—a collective of forward-thinking institutions and companies committed to reshaping the future of real estate.
With over 10,000 professionals worldwide, Hatch contributes a wealth of expertise in urban systems, environmental engineering, and infrastructure development.
This addition strengthens R-LABS’ ability to support ventures from concept to scale.
A Mission-Driven Platform Since 2018
Founded by George Carras, R-LABS has been working since 2018 to create a new kind of venture-building platform tailored to the real estate industry.
The company collaborates with seasoned entrepreneurs to co-found and scale startups designed to solve industry-specific challenges.
Today, its network includes 23 corporate and institutional partners, and that number is set to grow in 2025 with new collaborations across engineering, construction, development, finance, and tech.
Real-World Impact Through Innovative Startups
Two standout ventures that have emerged from R-LABS’ collaborative approach are already making waves:
- Assembly: A modular housing company focused on providing sustainable wood-based construction solutions. Their turnkey systems support both market-rate and affordable housing in dense urban areas.
- NOAH: A cutting-edge flood risk platform. NOAH helps insurers, banks, and property owners better predict and manage flood risks using high-precision simulations and hyperlocal environmental data.
Looking Ahead
With fresh capital, a strengthened network of partners, and a growing portfolio of impactful startups, R-LABS is poised to make a bigger mark in 2025 and beyond.
As urban areas continue to face mounting pressures, platforms like R-LABS offer a glimpse into how innovation and collaboration can bring about real solutions in real estate.
So, what’s next?
More ideas, more partnerships, and hopefully, more breakthroughs that will reshape how Canadians live, build, and invest in their communities.