Second Century Ventures (SCV)
Redefining Real Estate with Visionary Investments

Second Century Ventures (SCV), the strategic investment arm of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), has been named “Venture Capitalist of the Year.” This prestigious award recognizes SCV's exceptional track record of identifying and nurturing transformative technologies that are shaping the future of the real estate industry.

Founded in 2008, SCV has rapidly become a leading force in real estate technology venture capital, with a portfolio of over 285 companies globally.

SCV's success stems from its unique approach to investment; identifying technologies that not only meet the specific needs of real estate professionals, but that can also solve common challenges across other industry verticals. Further to this approach is the belief that the best technologies are not constrained to certain geographies.

Central to SCV's impact is its globally recognized REACH Accelerator program, which operates across six continents. REACH provides startups with a bespoke program designed to accelerate their growth through mentorship, market insights and access to investors and corporate partners. The program boasts an unparalleled network of over millions of practitioners worldwide, along with strategic collaborations in key markets.

“Real estate is the world’s largest asset class but remains ripe for innovation,” says Mark Birschbach, Managing Director at SCV. “Our mission is to identify entrepreneurs solving meaningful problems with transformative technologies. REACH allows us to guide these innovators as they scale globally.”

REACH has a proven track record of success, with its portfolio raising more than $3 billion in capital collectively. The 10-year-old program itself has seen 35 successful exits - consisting of both IPOs and strategic acquisitions, generating substantial value for both the companies and the communities they serve.

SCV also partners with its network of bilateral partners in over 85 countries to support these companies and enhance the global real estate community.

SCV's commitment to innovation extends beyond purely financial gains. The firm prioritizes investments in technologies that can address critical industry challenges like streamlining transactions, enhancing marketing, simplifying rentals and digitizing closings.

This strategy is exemplified by SCV's early investment in DocuSign, a digital signature platform that has streamlined transactions for millions of real estate professionals worldwide.

“DocuSign is a perfect example of how investing in innovative technologies can help to solve core challenges for real estate practitioners,” says Dave Garland, Managing Partner at SCV. “DocuSign eliminated one of the most universal pain points—cumbersome paperwork—and then leveraged its success in real estate to solve similar problems in other industries worldwide.”

SCV's portfolio highlights its industry commitment with companies like BoxBrownie, Rental Beast and Proof (formerly Notarize), all of which have made significant contributions to improving various aspects of the real estate experience for both professionals and consumers.

“Proof has fundamentally changed how global notary requirements are met,” says Tyler Thompson, Managing Partner at SCV. “By enabling remote online notarization at scale, it has solved a critical problem for conveyance practitioners, streamlining transactions while ensuring compliance.”

Furthermore, SCV demonstrates a deep commitment to fostering a more sustainable and inclusive real estate industry. The firm actively supports technologies that promote sustainable practices across all asset classes and champions diversity by investing in underrepresented founders.

SCV also gives back to the community through generous support of organizations like the Foundation for Innovation in Real Estate. This foundation focuses on initiatives such as providing mental health support to founders and investing in affordable housing technology, creating a positive social impact alongside its financial success.

“Real estate shapes communities,” explains Thompson. “We are committed to backing entrepreneurs who drive innovation and also contribute to building sustainable and inclusive futures.”

As SCV celebrates its recognition as Venture Capitalist of the Year, it remains focused on its mission to redefine the possibilities in real estate technology. The firm plans further global expansion, tailoring its programs to meet local market needs while continuing to support a diverse group of entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of the industry.

“We’re more than just an investor—we’re a partner in progress,” says Garland. “This award inspires us to keep pushing boundaries as we work toward building a brighter future for real estate.”