Blocksquare, a pioneering platform in real estate tokenisation, is revolutionising the blockchain space with its innovative decentralised finance (DeFi) solutions. Blocksquare Ambassador Karoline Kolman recently shared exciting updates on the company's journey, its ongoing projects, and its expansion into Western Australia through the Perth Landing Pad program. Supported by the City of Perth and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, this initiative is a vital enabler for businesses entering the Australian market.
The Perth Landing Pad program is designed to assist high-growth international and interstate startups and scale-ups in expanding operations into Western Australia. It offers a wealth of resources, including online tools, access to coworking spaces, networking events, and tailored mentoring, everything a business needs to thrive locally and internationally.
Blocksquare began in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2017, founded by Denis Petrovcic, Peter Merc, and Viktor Brajak. The company set out to make real estate tokenisation accessible and affordable for all. Its SaaS solutions help the real estate industry transition to Web3, and its 2022 launch of Oceanpoint bridged the gap between real estate and DeFi. Like Uber with taxis, Oceanpoint doesn't own real estate; instead, it creates liquidity for asset owners and investors, a concept gaining traction globally, including in Western Australia.
Perth’s connection to blockchain in real estate dates back to 2020, when Blocksquare’s CMO, Julia Buchholz, who is based in Perth, helped introduce the concept through a collaboration with TecStack and REIWA. Over 500 agents attended Australia’s first blockchain-focused CPD courses, exploring fractional ownership and tokenisation. Fast forward to today, TecStack consultants, leveraging Blocksquare technology, have contributed to the tokenisation of over 140 properties across 24 countries, including Australia.
Real estate is inherently local, and Blocksquare’s model depends on marketplace operators embracing innovative approaches to property transactions. Tokenisation provides an alternative to traditional methods, promoting community-driven solutions that could expand housing options in WA. The key to success lies in industry and market adoption.
A cornerstone of Blocksquare’s global strategy is establishing Regional Hubs. These hubs, led by Blocksquare Ambassadors, introduce real estate tokenisation to local communities, create awareness, and encourage technology adoption. Beyond innovation, these hubs host meetups, educational presentations, community breakfasts, and other events, fostering a sense of belonging and sparking new business partnerships.
Karoline Kolman, Chair of the Perth RWA Regional Hub and Blocksquare Ambassador, emphasised the importance of community engagement.
"We’re hosting events in Perth to inform people about Blocksquare and connecting with the community on Telegram and Discord," she explained. These platforms allow users to interact, ask questions, and stay informed about developments.
Blocksquare is working on several global tokenisation marketplaces, demonstrating the platform’s flexibility and potential across diverse sectors. Key projects include:
- Portio Capital (Europe): Focused on co-living spaces, providing shared housing solutions in urban centres.
- Pieme (Uganda): Dubbed the “Airbnb for hotel businesses,” enabling small-scale hotel operators to thrive.
- RWA Technology (UK): Revolutionising care home investments with innovative funding models, offering immediate passive income and social impact through institutional-grade real-world assets.
- Net Zero RWA (South Africa): Leading the charge in green energy and sustainable real estate, using tokenisation to support carbon-neutral developments.
- SORS Capital (Canada): Transforming social housing by integrating community-driven approaches and tokenised funding solutions.
- Rancho Altos (Mexico): Tokenising tequila distillery production and sustainable agricultural land for unique investment opportunities.
- Tokeniza (Spain): A marketplace allowing retail investors to participate in unpaid mortgage loans.
Each marketplace underscores Blocksquare’s ability to address real-world challenges while creating new investment pathways.
Through the Perth Landing Pad program, Blocksquare aims to strengthen its presence in WA by hosting and attending events that foster valuable networking opportunities. Karoline highlighted the importance of educating the Australian market about tokenisation’s benefits and engaging with local developers, cooperatives, and blockchain enthusiasts.
The program also enables Blocksquare to diversify its asset portfolio and increase the number of tokenised properties in Western Australia. Success hinges on understanding local culture, building trust, and tailoring messaging to the audience.
In 2024, Blocksquare was honoured with the Emerging PropTech of the Year award at the Cygnet West PropTech Hub WA Awards, sponsored by Radium Capital. This recognition underscores the company’s growing influence in the blockchain and real estate sectors.
With its robust foundation in Europe and a growing footprint in Australia, Blocksquare is poised to become a leader in the global tokenisation space. As the platform launches new marketplaces and engages with communities worldwide, its vision of decentralising real estate investment is steadily becoming a reality.
For startups and scale-ups looking to expand into Western Australia, the Perth Landing Pad program provides an invaluable opportunity. To learn more and apply now, visit the Perth Landing Pad website here!
