Ep. 4 - Founder Series: What Tenants Actually Want vs What the Industry Thinks with David Abrams
What happens when a marketing veteran builds PropTech from the inside out? In this episode of CRE Unplugged, Ryan sits down with David Abrams, Co-Founder and CEO of HILO, to unpack why the best building technology isn't the loudest it's the most thoughtful.
David shares how 20+ years running a marketing and communications agency shaped HILO's obsession with partnership, service, and genuine tenant engagement. From launching right before the pandemic to scaling a platform that helps owners and operators deliver hospitality-driven workplace experiences, David's journey is a masterclass in building with purpose.
Together, Ryan and David dig into what tenants actually value (hint: it's not the fancy fitness center), why PropTech can't be a checkbox, and how HILO's collaborative approach to sales and customer success is turning heads in one of the world's oldest asset classes.
David also hosts TEN, the Tenant Experience Network, where he brings together leading CRE voices on the future of work and his vision for buildings that don't just support businesses, but help people truly thrive.
Show Notes:
00:00: Intro & Welcoming David Abrams
01:25: From Marketing & Communications to Founder
06:14: Why a Great Tech Company is 50% Service
07:44: The Metrics That Actually Matter in Building Technology
11:00: How HILO Rises Above a Crowded PropTech Landscape
13:00: The Collaborative Sales Process That Replaces the RFP
17:00: What Tenants Actually Want vs. What the Industry Assumes
19:28: The 15 Minute City and the Role of Neighborhood in Tenant Experience
21:18: David's Vision for the Workplace 5 to 10 Years from Now
28:05: Ryan's Postgame Recap & Key Takeaways
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Learn more about HILO and their vertically integrated resident experience platform at www.hiloapp.com or connect with David directly on LinkedIn.
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