Interview by the AI Architecture Group with the start-up syte
The PropTech start-up syte specializes in the early phase of project development. The platform consolidates site analysis, potential assessment, and visualization into a digital workflow. At Expo Real 2025, we spoke with Anika Meisters about data-driven decision-making, AI in the research process, and the growing pressure for efficiency across the industry.
What exactly does syte do – and where in the project lifecycle does your work begin?
syte: Our focus is on the first mile of a project – meaning the question of whether a site or idea is viable at all. Many developers need to use various tools and data sources to assess this. We combine those steps within a single platform.
With syte, users can conduct a location and potential analysis in a matter of minutes: from zoning and land-use plans to market data and urban-planning parameters. The goal is to digitize the initial feasibility check to enable reliable decisions early on – before costly resources are committed.
You talk about AI-supported research. How does that work in practice?
syte: Today, part of the contextual research – meaning the collection of background information such as press coverage, political decisions, or urban development plans – still takes place outside of syte, using tools like ChatGPT. Currently, several systems are needed for that workflow.
In the future, we aim to integrate this classical location research into syte: Which projects are planned in the district? How is the public perception? What risks are emerging?
In the long term, this AI-assisted research process will run directly inside syte so that data collection, analysis, and decision support are combined in one system.
What happens next – from analysis to presentation?
syte: syte already includes an initial integrated visualization tool. It allows analysis results to be processed and displayed directly, and we will expand this functionality further.
Afterwards, our customers use additional AI tools such as Gamma to automatically generate presentations based on the data produced within syte. This step comes downstream: syte provides the data and visualizations, Gamma turns them into polished presentation materials.
This turns a workflow that used to take days into something that can often be completed within a morning.
You combine software with architectural expertise – how does that work?
syte: Our founder Matthias Zühlke is an architect and a partner at Maas und Partner. The idea emerged directly from his daily practice: “I want everything in one platform.”
That is why, in addition to software, we offer an optional expert analysis. When a customer identifies a promising opportunity, they can commission an architectural feasibility study – prepared by our architects within one business day. This validates the data-driven assessment before further investment steps are taken.
This model is attractive both for major developers with limited in-house resources and for smaller firms without internal architectural departments. They save time, avoid tying up personnel, and can decide within days whether a project is worth pursuing.
What is currently driving demand for such solutions the most?
syte: The market is under pressure: fewer transactions, fewer staff, higher expectations. The key question is: where is effort truly justified?
In the early phase, the risk-reward profile becomes clear. This is where AI and machine learning create the greatest efficiency gains. We help developers identify the right projects faster – and rule out the wrong ones at an early stage.
What is next for syte?
syte: We are currently preparing our Series A financing round, which includes expanding internationally. Our goal is to establish syte as the central platform for early-stage project development – combining AI-driven analysis with architectural expertise.
In other words: developers should deploy their resources where they create real impact – not in research, but in realization.