Tech Bytes: Agent safety platform wins; DropOffer, Rayse rollouts 

Editor's note: Technology is a driving force in real estate. From startups to established players, tech companies are constantly innovating, growing and forging partnerships. Here we highlight some of the latest news about the companies that help power the industry. 

Tether RE wins T3 Technology Summit Pitch Battle

Tether RE, a real estate agent safety and productivity platform, took home top honors at the 2024 T3 Technology Summit Pitch Battle in New Orleans on Oct. 8. The competition, which gave competing companies the chance to demonstrate their products, saw Tether RE stand out for its focus on agent safety.

"Safety is often overlooked, yet last year alone, 30,000 agents fell victim to violent crimes, with 25 tragically losing their lives," said Vanessa Martin, Tether RE co-founder. Tether RE's win underscores the importance of integrating technology with emergency response to protect agents.

The finalists—natural language search provider ListAssist, AI-powered property advisor RealReports, and The Rate Verifier, a mortgage loan inspector — also showcased cutting-edge solutions to real-world industry challenges. In all, 16 companies competed for a $55,000 prize package in the third-annual T3 pitch battle.

Tether RE also won the NAR i0i pitch battle in August.

DropOffer launches web-based platform for off-market deals

Off-market platform DropOffer has introduced a new web-based platform that allows direct communication between buyers and homeowners. Buyers can search for properties and make direct offers to homeowners, allowing for agent involvement if desired.

"We're turning the off-market on for the consumer," said Greg Burns, co-founder of DropOffer. The platform provides real-time messaging between buyers and sellers, along with AI-powered property insights to help buyers make informed decisions.

Real estate professionals also can use DropOffer to proactively find off-market opportunities for their clients.

Agent-client communication platform Rayse rolling out to 200 brokerages

Rayse, a new real estate technology platform, is now live in 200 brokerages, aiming to transform how agents communicate their value to clients in a landscape altered by commissions litigation and changes to agent compensation. 

The platform provides real-time tracking of agent services, offering transparency that addresses common misconceptions about the time and effort involved in real estate transactions.

A quarter of home buyers believe their agent spends just 10 hours or less representing them and nearly half believe they spend less than 15 hours, according to research from WAV Group. 

"Rayse empowers agents to clearly demonstrate their value and build trust with their clients," said Ashley Terrell-Kayiran, Rayse's chief revenue officer. Developed in collaboration with top brokerages and MLS providers, Rayse strengthens both agent-client relationships and brokerage branding.

Rayse was developed in collaboration with top brokerages, franchisors and MLSs. 

"We believe in shared ownership of technology solutions to benefit both real estate professionals and their clients," said Hoby Hanna, CEO of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, an early investor in the platform.

2024 brokerage branding honors highlight community involvement

Four regional winners—@properties Christie's International Real Estate, Levin Rinke Realty, RE/MAX Results, and Windermere Real Estate—took top honors in the third-annual Exhibit Brokerage Brand Awards, recognizing excellence in branding and design across the U.S.

Hosted by Maxa Designs and T3 Sixty, the awards evaluated more than 400 brokerages on criteria including storytelling, visual identity, marketing, and innovation. Winners were selected from a pool of finalists across four regions, with RE/MAX Results leading the Midwest, @properties Christie's in the Northeast, Levin Rinke Realty in the Southeast, and Windermere on the West Coast.

"The competition this year was fierce," said Travis Saxton, executive vice president of enterprise solutions at T3 Sixty. "What I especially loved was the strong community involvement showcased throughout."